Stress Triggers Seizures: 7 Ideas to Reduce Stress

Are you stressed out? The key to reducing stress is doing things that get your mind off of what you’re stressed about and give you time to rest and recuperate so you can get back to it with a fresh mind. Don’t worry, there are things you can do that can help and also help break up your day if you’re home by yourself.

1.    Exercise- I love going to the gym for a good workout. If you can’t get to the gym, look for some exercise videos online and exercise at your home, or take a walk outside. Get those endorphins going! The key thing to remember while exercising is don’t let your heart rate get too high to prevent having an episode. Slow down when you need to and always keep water near you. Wear a medical ID that tells people you have epilepsy. A good rule is that if you are in a gym or group exercise class, speak to the staff and let them know you have epilepsy and give them instructions on what to do if you have an episode while working out.

2.    Arts and crafts– My favorite is water coloring. Other Ideas: knitting, crocheting, coloring, sewing, painting, scrapbooking. Arts and crafts can give your mind a project to completely focus on. This can really help to distract your brain and give it time to rest and think about something other than what is stressing you out.

3.    Cooking- I’m no chef, but finding new recipes and trying them out can be a lot of fun! Cooking at home not only gives you something to do but can also help you discover new recipes that are more beneficial to you as an epileptic.

4.    Journaling- Create a journal. You can write about anything you wish, your day, your dreams, anything. Whether it’s writing about what’s stressing you out or writing about something that makes you happy; it always feels good to get your feelings out. If you are like me, epilepsy causes memory loss. Journaling, and scrapbooking for that matter, can help you remember things that have happened, much like a high school yearbook.

5.    Listen to relaxing music– Just sit back and listen to music you enjoy. Many people, including myself, love listening to music to calm their minds. It is very soothing and gets our mind off of what we’re stressed about.

6.    Decorating– I love decorating my home. Whether it’s putting up decorations for different holidays/seasons or just rearranging a room, it’s very satisfying. I like to try new designs and layouts to mix up my living space, as some epileptics, like me, are homebound for the majority of their day. Having a fresh, new design to a room can make it feel like you are in a completely different place.

7.    The Number One Thing to Remember – Sitting around can cause you to focus on the stressful things in your life. So, the most important thing to remember is to get up and move. Involve your mind and body in activities.

Keep in mind the Lord is by your side. He is always there to help you when you’re dealing with stress.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10”

If you have any ideas that may help others, please feel free to leave a response!