Close your eyes for a minute and remember times in your life when you felt love. It could be the first time you held your child, those joyful, intense days of a first love, that moment you picked out and brought home an adorable kitty or puppy. This very simple exercise has lowered the stress chemicals in your body and calmed your amygadala (your brain’s threat monitor) You are welcome!
There was a study done where researchers monitored the stress-level of participants as they viewed loving images and then disturbing images. Those who viewed loving images first were better able to react calmly to the disturbing images vs those who had not viewed the loving images first.
What does that mean to you? When you know you have a stressful meeting ahead or a hectic day at work just take a few minutes to remember loving moments in your life. Or pull up some loving images on your phone. There’s a reason we are drawn to all those cute baby and pet photos! It will only take a few minutes and your stress resilience will increase. It really is as simple as that!
Have an amazing Monday (and everyday!)
Leanna Fredrich, Leadership, Career and Stress-Management Consultant
Leanna@amazingmondays.com