Stress isn’t always a bad thing. We need a certain amount of it to function at an optimal level of energy, arousal, and motivation. Some professionals distinguish between eustress (good stress), and distress (bad stress). The goal is to balance the amount of stress in our lives and the level of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual energy we have available to deal with it. When our needs go unmet or our resources are stretched too thin, stress increases, often to the point where it overwhelms our nervous system.
When our reserves run low, we are more vulnerable to the negative impacts of stress. We increase our health risks. We decrease our ability to manage our emotions and relationships. We lose contact with our deeper values. Self-care is key for keeping us healthy and promoting our well-being.
By taking appropriate timeouts, we increase our ability to live according to the ideals and principles we hold most important. They can be both preventative and responsive in addressing life’s stressors and improving overall well-being. Self-care strategies may be simple, but making time to use those strategies is often a challenge. That’s why this book describes practical ways to take a timeout for self-care, which in turn allows us to realize the reciprocal nature of relationships. Being our best helps others be their best. We do more than just survive life’s stressors—we, and those around us, thrive.
Davis, et al Everyone Needs a Timeout: Self-Care Strategies for People and Pets, (The Writing Derby: 2024) 3.
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