Reduce Your Stress Now“I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.”
~ Jennifer Yane
“To be alive is to have stress” says Hans Selye; one of the world’s foremost authorities on stress. The only way you can avoid stress is to be dead. Being alive brings about stress in a variety of contexts. The secret is to manage your stress. The right amount of stress can push you to perform at your best.
Here are some simple changes and powerful mindsets that will lead you to a greater peace of mind:
1. Read all you can on the subject.
Knowledge can be powerful. The more you know about a subject, the better odds you will have at mastering it. This is true for any field of endeavor. Go to the book store or to your local library. Books on overcoming the negative effects of stress are easy to find. If stress is negatively impacting your health then study up on ways to improve your overall wellness. If you need more hours to your day, then read up on time management. You can find titles that are unique to your own personal challenges. Stresses in the home and at work are common subjects. The answers to many of your challenges have already been figured out by people who have spent their lifetime researching this subject. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel; read!
2. Be specific when identifying your stressors.
You can make your situation so much worse by being too general with naming your stress. You will make yourself crazy if you say things like, “Everything stresses me out!” You will never find relief from “everything”. The more specific you are at naming your stressor, the better you will be at taming it. For instance, let’s suppose you say it is your husband or wife that stresses you out. Every time you see their face, you will feel bad. It is not your spouse that stresses you out, it is something they do or do not do that causes you stress. Perhaps he or she forgets to call you when they are running late. Naming the stressful behavior is more specific and less damaging to the marriage. It is not your children that stress you out; it is when they don’t clean up their room when you tell them. You may find that you start liking people better with this strategy.
3. Set goals that push you to grow.
You are more capable than you are currently demonstrating. Strive to be all that you can be. Productive people tend to be happier. Direct your energy into positive outlets. Set a goal that will be hard to accomplish. Make it one that will develop you into a better person. Pick qualities that you would like to possess, then set goals that will nurture the growth of that attribute. If you want to be more generous with others, you could volunteer with a local agency that gives back to the community.
4. Realize that stress is inevitable.
People who strive to play it safe tend to regret that decision. They miss out on the beautiful gifts and adventures that life can share. It is not the stress that kills you; it is your reaction to it. If you live in fear you will never achieve your fullest potential. No one gets out of life alive so decide to be active in living yours. Don’t be so busy in your career that you forget to live. If you talk to older adults, they will tell you that if they could do it over again, they would laugh more and worry less.
5. Exercise.
You knew I was going to tell you this one. It has to be said. Exercise is one of the best managers of stress. Exercise helps to release mental, emotional and physical pressure. Exercise will build your self confidence, which also decreases stress. If you hate to exercise, do something, one push up. One jumping jack. Something is better than nothing. Once you do one, consider another. Day after day, keep this up. You might surprise yourself once you get moving. If you have injuries or physical challenges, do what you can with what you have. “He who limps, still walks.” Stanslaw Lee
6. Surround yourself with positive people.
You tend to become like the environment you spend your time in. Negative people will suck the passion and excitement out of you if you let them. Spend time with people who inspire you and who make you glad to be alive. Be a positive person yourself. Make your home a happy one. Be a blessing to your place of employment. Speak words that are positive and encouraging.
7. Remember to breathe.
This is my simplest advice but perhaps the most helpful. It is basic but often overlooked. An unknown author once said, “The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.” Fortunately, we all have time to breathe. Taking a deep breath will clear your head, still your body, and give you a better perspective. My clients tell me this reminder gets them through some of the toughest times of their life.
I’m not asking you to pretend you don’t have twelve plates spinning at once. I just want you to be a master of your life. A person who sleeps well at night and feels good about themselves and the world they live in.
