Virtually every day when I sit before a blank screen and start to write, I think ‘Who am I to assume that I can write anything positive or inspirational to help someone else’. Most days I can remind myself that I am not writing to anyone but me. My positive blogging project didn’t start because I was looking to change someone else. It stared as a way to remind myself to be positive and as encouragement to me! Nevertheless, if someone reading can take a positive and helpful message from what I write, the more the better!
This weekend I seem to have spent a lot of time talking about stress. Maybe it was something on my mind or maybe it is something that needs to be on my mind.
I spoke with a dear friend who shared that his doctor has told him he MUST reduce the stress in his life. His life depends on it. Yet, he is having trouble making the choices that extract him from the stresses.
There are lots of reasons we get stressed. Stressors are all around us! At work, At home, On the road and especially (for me anyway) in public places when dealing with other people. Stress is EVERYWHERE! We may feel stress because of poor communication, too much work and everyday hassles like standing in line or driving down the highway.
Here are some EMERGENCY stress stoppers to help us deal with stress on the spot.
Try ‘em! And remember, you may need different stress stoppers for different situations and sometimes it helps to combine them.
- Count to 10 before you speak.
- Take three to five deep breaths.
- Walk away from the stressful situation, and say you’ll handle it later.
- Go for a walk.
- Eat right and exercise
- Set realistic goals
- Handle important tasks first and eliminate unessential tasks
- Take a break and meditate to slow down “mind-racing”
- Reduce the urge to be “perfect”
- Be flexible
- Avoid excessive competition
- Reduce criticism of yourself and others
- Don’t stress when expectations are not met
- Manage your anger
- Push away negativity of any kind
- Give yourself “me” time
- Choose to keep quiet when you feel a negative reaction
- Be cheerful, it deflates others stress and anxiety
- Silence your phone at night
- Utilize relaxation techniques; Yoga, Meditation, Breathing, etc.
- Laugh and smile more often
- Smell a rose, hug a loved one or smile at your neighbor.
- And most importantly,
Remember you can only change yourself
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