In a hectic world, it's all too easy to reach the point of feeling stressed out beyond our ability to cope. Yet it's our ability to cope that makes all the difference. The point is that stress is not going to go away; it's here to stay.
If you find yourself reading a book or attending a seminar that says you can eliminate all stress, either throw the book down or leave the room.
You cannot eliminate stress. But you can learn to handle stress successfully.
Let's look at six different strategies for successfully handling the stress in our lives. Each can be used separately or in conjunction with the others.
1. Talk it out
Whatever we don't talk out, we act out. That's a basic rule of mental health. If we don't discuss the issue, it's sure to surface in some other way.
2. Take mini-vacations
It's a mistake to think that we can push hard all year (or maybe longer) and then expect that all our stress can be healed in a one or two week vacation. It just doesn't happen.
Our bodies, minds and spirits need more frequent breaks. This is especially true if you are one of those people who schedules a vacation as they would a typical work day, so as to get the most out of it.
3. Distinguish between stress and pressure
Stress comes from the outside; pressure, on the other hand, is an inside job. Pressure is what we tell ourselves about the stress.
Here's a saying I came across recently:
"All the water in the ocean can't sink a ship unless it gets inside."
Sometimes, telling ourselves something as simple as "I can handle it" is all we need to keep the stress outside of us.
4. Create your own relaxation triggers
This exercise involves three simple steps that allow you to relax anywhere, any time.
Step 1: Picture yourself in a relaxing place. Create as much detail as you can in the picture, making it bright and colorful. Immerse yourself in the scene: See it, hear it, feel it.
Step 2: While you are picturing yourself in this place, create an immediate trigger that will instantly remind you of the relaxed feeling. It could be a snap of the fingers, a word or phrase, or a mental picture. It should quickly and strongly remind you of your relaxing place.
Step 3: When you find yourself in a stressful situation, simply fire off your relaxation trigger and feel the almost-instant relief.
5. Stop worrying
That sounds too simple, but just consider for a moment: What good, what change has come about from worrying?
6. Take action
Do something about what is causing you to worry. It's difficult to worry when you are busy doing something about it.
This list began with a suggestion that you talk about your stress. That's a good idea, most of the time. It can become a bad thing, though, if that's all you do.
To make stress work for you, it's essential that you take concrete action.
So there are six strategies for making stress work for you. Here's one more suggestion: Practice one of these each day for the next six days.
At the end of those six days, you'll have strong tools for dealing with stress.
Visit secretsofgreatrelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.
house refresh service Lincolnshire ..The United Nations declares workplace stress to be a worldwide... Read More
Learn to have healthy relationships:This subject could fill an entire... Read More
Stressed? Relax Right Now with 5 Super-Simple Stress-BustersStressed-out? Don't know... Read More
The World Health Organization calls stress "the health epidemic of... Read More
Where does stress really come from? Is there any simple... Read More
Work stress has become a major problem today. The nature... Read More
Success in recovery, or rather, staying in recovery, is dependent... Read More
Recently I completed some new workshop engagements in addition to... Read More
The day wasn't going well already. You know how it... Read More
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour... Read More
A while back, I was in a minor fender-bender accident,... Read More
Life would be so wonderful if it weren't for other... Read More
Anyone who has ever worked knows that stress is part... Read More
Who hasn't experienced "worry" at one time or another? Almost... Read More
Preparing for sleep the night before is the place to... Read More
In my experience, most of us spend a lot more... Read More
Looking for all of the answers in how to manage... Read More
Punch a pillowScream into a pillowTurn on your favorite music... Read More
Several studies, including one of medical students around exam time,... Read More
I hear from many people that they see ever increasing... Read More
Why do we resist change? As the saying goes, the... Read More
We've all experienced it-computerized technology that doesn't function properly. PCs... Read More
Get at least 15 minutes of sunshine daily.Daily Exercise -... Read More
An excellent stress reducer can be something as simple as... Read More
There are two types of anxiety:*Situational *Existential.Most of us experience... Read More
licensed cleaning services Lake Forest ..It is an inescapable fact, we live in a stressful... Read More
Many of my readers write to me about the tensions... Read More
David Bowie once sang, "Ch-ch-changes, tryin' to face the strain."And... Read More
We've all been there, right? We find ourselves living with... Read More
But how can this happen to someone?Let's concentrate on how... Read More
Here's an amazing quote from Time magazine:"At birth a baby's... Read More
In the body, the stress response is mediated by the... Read More
Let's take a look at some of the more serious... Read More
Modern stress is habitual, and is something that the vast... Read More
THE ENCHANTED SELF? teaches you how to access positive states... Read More
Ask a hundred different people how to deal with stress... Read More
Q: "My career, though very very stressful, is one that... Read More
This is the time for daydreaming about your annual vacation.... Read More
A little stress is good for us until it becomes... Read More
When was the last time you took a day just... Read More
Don't let stress wear you down. Next time you are... Read More
A while back, I was in a minor fender-bender accident,... Read More
File this one under the category of "watch your language."The... Read More
Aromatherapy is very therapeutic when it comes to healing emotional... Read More
Today we have more stress in our lives than ever... Read More
As small business owners, we often take on more than... Read More
A friend has this quotation on his office wall: "I... Read More
It has long been suggested that "music soothes the savage... Read More
No this is not related to praying, this is how... Read More
1. The Mentor Method: think of your favorite person. Someone... Read More
Stress Management |