5 Tips to Stop Being So Hard on Yourself #HealthyChallenge

Sometimes, when we are feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, we don’t even realize that it is ourselves that is creating the stress.

I am the first to admit that sometimes I lose my “lid” too easily or can snap back something mouthy when I don’t mean to. Usually, it’s when I don’t release my stress through exercising that I become a time bomb. (Thankfully, I’m not an atomic bomb!)

But what I have come to realize is that I create 85% of my stress.

I am harder on myself than anyone else is. I expect a lot and add this “stress” if I don’t finish a timeline (one made up in my head, nobody else expecting me to do it within that time frame) or finish a project that I had to add on last minute.

My #HealthyChallenge habit of the day is to give yourself a break and stop being so hard on yourself!

This is easier said than done.

For example, my (awesome) husband brought me home a gift the other evening. He told me to close my eyes and hold out my hands because it was a “massive” gift. So I did. In placed my hands was a car decal for a 5k.

My first thought was how thoughtful and kind he was to think of me, my second thought was how embarrassed I would be placing such a sticker on my car.

I really don’t care about decals on cars. People have them, I read them and to each their own. My issue was that I have only ran a handful of 5k’s, to me, that was a tiny accomplishment.

“Honey, when I get to half-a-marathon or a marathon, then let’s do it.” But of course, I thanked him for thinking of me.

I called my mom later that evening and bragged about how kind hubby was. She said, “Amber, that is an accomplishment! I want to see it on your car!”

To be honest, I was completely confused. How was it an accomplishment? It was only a 5k. “Mom, when I do something great, then I’ll show the world but I can’t put that on my car, it’s petty!”

I have thought and thought and thought about this. The truth is, I did work my butt off to run any sort of distance. I couldn’t start off just running 3 miles but only a walk/run around the block, over and over…and that was quite tedious! I really have put a great effort into running 3 miles! Why was I being so hard on myself? Why was I doubting what I have done?

My point is, nobody gave me stress, I do it to myself. Nobody has said, “Amber, you must run a marathon or you’re nothing.” But that’s what I put in my head. I create the stress.

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Check out these pointers on how to step back and not be hard on yourself:

• Remove the emotion part of the situation.I have found this more than helpful! When I find myself becoming stressed, I look at the situation, not how I feel. This allow me to look at the situation from a different perspective and admit my true feelings. Observe your emotions

• Accept what you cannot change. I am very well aware of situations that infuriate me and I have to dig down deep and realize why they do.

• Celebrate Milestones. I have realized through this experience that I can’t get to the top of the mountain without taking the baby steps to get there! Celebrate all accomplishments, even the small ones

• Praise yourself like you praise your best friend. After all, you are your best friend right? Love yourself!

• Meditate. No matter what religion you are, find time to become quiet and really meditate. You could probably use the quiet time right?

Remember: There is NOTHING wrong with giving yourself the love and praise you deserve!

Is there a situation in your life where you are a little too hard on yourself?

How can you stop being so hard on yourself?