Today we have more stress in our lives than ever before ? good stress, bad stress, red stress, blue stress (my little ode to Dr. Seuss). No matter what kind of stress it is, a real crisis or an imagined one, stress is incredibly harmful to our body, mind and soul.
Here are my favourite self-care habits for dealing with stress:
1. Get in the habit of noticing.
Take an inventory of all the things that just don't feel right in your life or that you know are causing you stress. For example, when you approach certain people, places or situations do you feel more stress and tension? Once you have your list in place, look at what you can change yourself, and do it. You can also use this list to predict stressful situations before they occur.
2. Get in the habit of asking for help.
For what you can't change yourself, you need a team. Build a team of experts to handle your list. A coach, at the top of the list, will help with the big picture and will keep you honest about your efforts. Other team members might be a family doctor who listens to you, a financial planner, a massage therapist and an exercise partner.
3. Get in the habit of bouncing back.
Think of Plan A as your basic self-care plan while stress is under control. Now imagine something happens and you are under stress. Instead of abandoning all self-care because you can't do it all, have a Plan B ready beforehand.
4. Get in the habit of relaxing.
If you practice relaxation techniques (breathing, meditation, imagery, music) every day, then when stressful situations come up you'll have the tools at your fingertips.
5. Get in the habit of gratitude.
Our attitude comes from our emotions and our emotions come from our thoughts. Thinking about what we're grateful for and what we're good at can keep things positive. It's not about shying away from what's challenging you ? it's about approaching life from a place of strength and not as a victim.
6. Get in the habit of creating.
Experiment with a new recipe in the kitchen, write a poem, bang a drum, do a craft, take a dance class or do something else that feels creative to you.
7. Get in the habit of putting your stuff away.
Physical clutter can really impact on mental, emotional and physical health. Get rid of things that don't make you happy when you look at them. Organize your stuff. Find a place for everything and keep it there.
8. Get in the habit of breathing.
This is the simplest and quickest way to relax yourself in a stressful situation. The minute you focus on your breathing it automatically gets slower and deeper.
9. Get in the habit of daydreaming.
Take yourself away on an imaginary holiday. Just close your eyes and go! Picture somewhere you've been or somewhere you've dreamed of.
10. Get in the habit of giggling.
Laugh out loud every day.
Don't let your stress get the better of you! Which one of these strategies can you apply this week to manage your stress?
? Copyright 2005, Genuine Coaching Services. All rights reserved.
Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, is the author of "The Everyday Self-Care Workbook". To find out more about the book, or to receive her free monthly newsletter, "Genuine Self-Care", visit http://www.genuinecoaching.com/resources.html.
Ancona limousine airport .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare"Let your mind be quiet, realizing the beauty of the... Read More
... Read More
The fall season signals a shift in most people's minds.... Read More
Rhodiola Rosea is the latest natural remedy to join the... Read More
Did you know that taking a short trip, such as... Read More
Of all the forms of stress in today's world, computer... Read More
Imagine driving down the road. You are driving with a... Read More
Are you a person who has a keen imagination, a... Read More
Feeling stressed out lately? Don't worry, there is a simple... Read More
In a hectic world, it's all too easy to reach... Read More
How much attention is paid to one of the biggest... Read More
"The great lesson from the true mystics, from the Zen... Read More
After a stressful day as a computer programmer, Jim pulled... Read More
Q: What is Stress?A: Very basically it is the physical,... Read More
In the body, the stress response is mediated by the... Read More
Let's face it! The majority of our time is either... Read More
Are you feeling stressed out? Too many things to do,... Read More
The main problem in a down economy is that workplaces... Read More
Why are you so busy? Do you really have too... Read More
The National Center for health statistics reported that in 1997,... Read More
In these times when companies are constantly down-sizing and right-sizing... Read More
This anger management Practice draws on the dual wisdom of... Read More
Too much driving, too much shopping, too much rushing around,... Read More
Stress and anxiety can prematurely age our mind and body.... Read More
Everyone worries. As bothersome as it is, worry isn't all... Read More
Buffalo Grove cheapest limo ..The fall season signals a shift in most people's minds.... Read More
Q: What is Stress?A: Very basically it is the physical,... Read More
Amazing thing, overwhelm!You don't usually see it coming. It just... Read More
One of my favorite stories about change is the story... Read More
So many of us live a stressful life. Unfortunately, when... Read More
Preparing for sleep the night before is the place to... Read More
Perhaps you've heard of the 80/20 rule, but don't know... Read More
"I'm stressed out."If you find yourself thinking--or saying--this on a... Read More
Anyone who has ever worked knows that stress is part... Read More
The fast pace of life is taking toll on every... Read More
Work related tensions, personal issues and abnormal lifestyles are the... Read More
We all have it; we live with it daily: stress.... Read More
Stress, America's #1 health problem, is a leading cause of... Read More
"Do you want to be a lump of coal or... Read More
One of the ways I have avoided a lot of... Read More
This heading may seem like a contradiction in terms. How... Read More
Over the years I've collected scores of comics and cartoons... Read More
Worry, big or small blocks positive vibrations from entering your... Read More
Panic.Heart racing. Palms sweating. Breathing rapid and shallow. Mouth dry.... Read More
We all know what it feels like to have our... Read More
Genuine enthusiasm...real feeling of accomplishment...sense of satisfaction and fun. Welcome... Read More
There may be so much you want to change in... Read More
Meditation seems to have arrived in the mainstream of late,... Read More
Have you ever listened to someone, perhaps even to your... Read More
As small business owners, we often take on more than... Read More
Stress Management |