A Precarious Balancing Act: Managing Stress in a Toxic World

Welcome to the next article in this blog series, I'm Aisling Louise Owens Nash, your guide in this Lower Tox Living journey. Today, let's look at the ever-wobbly balancing act of managing stress and discover some tips and tricks for managing stress in our sometimes toxic world.

Navigating Mental Well-being:

The challenges of maintaining mental well-being in the face of stress is not one to be passed over lightly, it is always wobbly and I think few people ever achieve a steady balance. Think of a scale, even the shifting of the breeze affects the position of each side and that’s ok! It is realistic and OK!! However, let’s still look at some practical tips and tricks designed to bring a little more balance into your life, even when the world around you feels overwhelming. While it is ok for the balance to tip slightly at all times it is not healthy if the balance is weighted predominantly to one side for too long.

Possible Strategies for you:

Mindful Moments: Incorporate brief mindful moments into your daily routine to centre yourself and alleviate stress. Explore what this can look like for you. For me it is sitting down for 10 minutes each afternoon for a ‘Fizz O’Clock Mocktail’ listening to a book, reading my Kindle or just being quiet. For you, it might be a snuggle with a pet, a walk outside or a physical action to release and move energy in your body. It’s not a one-size-fits-all, it is a finding your right system.
Digital Detox: Take intentional breaks from the digital world to reduce information overload and promote mental clarity. Unplug, step outside, and embrace moments of digital detox for mental rejuvenation. Utilise the ‘Work’, ‘Focus’ and ‘Digital Wellbeing’ functions on your phone and make sure flight mode is on when you need some time for yourself, especially at night.
Self-Care Rituals: Establish personalised self-care rituals that cater to your mental well-being. From soothing baths to creative outlets, discover activities that bring joy and relaxation. I recently went to a sound bath and doodling session and I forgot how brilliant doodling is for freeing your brain and opening it wide to then start working better creatively. Check out Joanne Pasternak and The Barley Moon accounts for more on those!
People Detox: Reduce the time you spend responding to or being in the presence of people who stress you out! Build strategies to support yourself when having to spend time with those people. With some people, I intentionally plan nothing for the rest of my day after seeing them as I need to wind down and recoup.
Fuel yourself up: Review your diet and digestion, our gut has a direct impact on our brain and vice versa so by nurturing a healthy gut and bacteria we can look after our hormones and digestion better.

Commitment: Commit to yourself by planning in specific time each month to fully recharge. For me that can be my time hosting Zen Den, Harmony Within or attending a Sound Bath in my local area.

Your Action for Today:

Choose one stress management strategy to implement today. Share your chosen approach and encourage others to join in for a collective commitment to mental well-being.

Ready to prioritise self-care and mental well-being consistently? Sign up for my 6 months of Harmony Within Experiences, your dedicated monthly self-care commitment break. During Harmony Within myself and Physiotherapist, Sima Jakataviciute take you through some simple exercises for your mind, your body and your skin. Join a community dedicated to nurturing a harmonious balance amid life's demands.

Stay tuned for more insights into creating a balanced and resilient lifestyle. Together, we're building a community focused on positive change.

Aislíng x