Stress

Back in April 2025, I posted about my stress reduction strategies. I am still applying all the strategies I mentioned in that post….but there are l times that they seem to fail, and it takes a day or two to recover!

With the many ‘heat advisory’ days recently, I am acknowledging that heat is playing a role in my stress levels. When I work in my yard or at the Lake Springfield boathouse, my stress level stays relatively high even after I have cooled down and rehydrated! I am going to try moving my electrolyte drink to during and immediately after yard work…see if that will help.

Of course, I have taken on more responsibilities with the local Missouri Master Naturalist chapter since April 2025. I am utilizing a lot of the skills I learned during by career and there might be a stress-memory coming along with reactivating the skills. It is rewarding and I want to do it…but stressful too. I am learning to ask for help sooner rather than later!

Recently, I remembered one of my employees from more than 15 years ago talking about taking ‘mental health days’ and it is something I am finding useful now. For me that involves not looking at email or news or doing anything with a group of people….it’s a retreat to my introvert core usually with a good book or (during the summer) enjoying the greenery of my shade garden from a window or yoga or Zentangle tiles….and then drifting off to sleep at the usual time.