New Chapter | Stress

Horse Riding Is My Stress Relief

Back in college, before a big event like the end of year prom or a job interview, I would, like girls everywhere suffer some kind of sudden acne breakout, take over problem. It's not coincidence and it's not a cruel trick of fate. It's stress. It's your body in control, not your mind. I've recently started researching stress and what it can do and I've learnt so much. Stress can affect pretty much every aspect of your life. Those pre-date pimples are actually caused by your unconscious stressing. Stress can affect you hair, skin, nails and even weight. 

   When I started my first 40-hour a week job, I was so overwhelmed; sleep deprived, ill, stressed. I was so worried about my future, (as many young adults are) but I found blogging which helps but I have to find a balance with work, social and blogging which is a lot to handle. 

   If you see a doctor about stress, they will tell you it's not only poisonous for your body, but also can become an addiction. WHAT? I hear you say. While some addicts use drugs to combat stress, there's a whole different group of people who don't know how to live without stress. For type A personalities, stress can be the pulse-quickening factor that drives them, at unhealthy speeds, through life. When you feel stressed it's actually your mind thinking you're in danger and is preparing you in the fight or flight response. This is caused by adrenaline and cortisol being released. This is great i you're actually in danger and need to run, but this is terrible when it happens on a regular basis. The constant uptick in these hormones wreaks havoc all over - your immune system suffers, skin problems can appear and worsen and you can become forgetful or depressed. Stress affects me by making my skin oily and red, making any dry skin flare up badly, my nails suffer and I can't maintain weight. 

   To combat this I try and relax and detox. I don't intake as much caffeine, (coffee, energy drinks and fizzy) alcohol, fast foods and I've started exercising more. I find riding my horse is a major stress relief because animals naturally calm you. With some time and dedication, I finally reduced my stress levels. Soon i felt so much better. 

   Since then I've found a happy balance in my life. This is because to do my jobs well I need to be happy and healthy and motivated. I hope this stress chapter helps you too. Look forward to posts about sleep deprivation, beauty rest tips, breathing, you time, destressing and tips. Hope you enjoy.

xx