The Secret to Reducing Your Stress
The Secret to Reducing Your Stress

This weekend I had the pleasure of spending time on the beach, looking out at the Atlantic Ocean. It was relaxing and my stress, during my time on the beach, was minimal. I wondered why I don’t spend more time at the beach since I find it so relaxing. It occurred to me that I was doing the same thing I experience many clients I see in therapy doing: identifying something that makes me feel better but rarely (or never) making time to actually do it.

If we know healthy ways to make ourselves feel better, even temporarily, why don’t we do it?

It’s because change, even positive change, takes effort. And sometimes we don’t want to make an effort. Think about the times you’ve laid in bed having to go to the bathroom but resisted getting out of bed because the bed is comfy and warm. Getting out of bed immediately would provide relief and allow you to return to sleep. However, we often lie there trying to ignore our urge and convince ourselves we can sleep through it. Even in this most frequent of human dilemmas, we resist making a change because we find comfort in the way things are.

If we give ourselves time to consider it, we probably have the solution to several of our own problems but aren’t bothering with the solution.

2 Comments

  • by

    Tracy

    Posted April 9, 2013 10:56 pm

    Great analogy!

  • by

    Cindy Richetti

    Posted June 13, 2013 7:10 am

    Hi, Noelle
    I’m an LMHC in Ponte Vedra. I came across your website and wanted you to know I think it’s impressive. I especially like your blog entries, with accompanying eye-catching photos. Good luck with your practice!

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