You probably think I'm wacko, but it's true - stress can be your best friend! Stress is actually a positive experience to be channeled to improve your life.
For instance, let me tell you about a small moment of stress I faced a few minutes ago.
Just before I boarded my flight from Phoenix to Seattle, I was talking to my husband Wade on my cell phone. Toward the end of our conversation, he told me how someone had commented on how the kids are dressed better when I'm around.
Now, I already know some of the things he's taken the kids to church in.....YIKES!
But, then he proceeds to tell me how Maegan had syrup in her hair, and it was all tangled, and he couldn't brush it out; so he took her over to the baby sitter that way anyway (uh-oh).
When he picked her up, they said they were going to do swimming the next day, so he took her back the next day the same way so the swimming could wash it out!!!
I about DIED!
No wonder they commented!!!!!
Now, to me, that is definitely a moment of stress!
But did you know that I gave me an opportunity to make my life and Maegan's life better?
Here, let me walk you through it.
How did I feel when I hear this story? I felt a little angry, embarrassed, frustrated, incredulous, shocked...
But did you know that it is a good thing that I felt that way? It is a good thing because it meant that it was going to cause some action.
Now, I could do a harmful type reaction and have an argument with husband, never go on a trip again, etc
or....I can use that emotion to think of a solution so that it doesn't happen again.
Which is precisely what I did.
First, I explained to my husband how to brush a girls long hair. It never occurred to me that I was the only one brushing her hair - and being a girl with long hair, it never occurred to me that someone would start brushing it from top on down! No wonder he could never get the tangles out. So, now he knows to start at the bottom and work his way up.
Secondly, I explained to him that when syrup is in the hair, you HAVE TO WASH IT! I don't know if he was waiting for it to deteriorate :-), or if he thought it would rub off on her pillow :-) or what......it's probably best I DON'T know what he thought! But anyway....
Thirdly, I explained how I washed her hair. Actually, as I right this, it is soooo hard NOT to laugh. I mean, for the moment our first two boys were born, Wade's done everything in taking care of them. And I guess he did for Maegan too, until her hair started getting long. Who would have known that a little hair could scare such a big, strong guy so much?
But, in a way, I do understand. Her head is sensitive from her cranial surgery, and he is particularly sensitive to his daughter. If she says "oww", he can't tell if it's real or not. I guess that's a mom thing.
Anyway - after I went through all of that, I told him when he needed to brush her hair and how often he had to wash it.
I just created a system so that the next time I'm on a trip, she will look great, he won't feel lost, and I won't be embarrassed.
If you look at ANY situation in life, you can go through the same process. You can face a stimulus, negatively re-act, or creatively solve.
What is in your life right now, this very second, that you are stressed about? Are you just ignoring it, hoping that it will go away? Are you trying to cover it up with eating, or are you suffering physically by lack of sleep from worry and insomnia?
Here's five steps to put your subconscious out of commission and use your conscious mind to use the stress to improve your life:
Stress can be your friend. Without it, you'll never be motivated to make a change for the better. And, it will NEVER go away. Life will never reach the point where everything goes great all the time.
And don't forget to teach this to your kids! They can have such an advantage in life to learn now how to positively channel negative experience into an opportunity for growth.
You can do the written exercise with them - or hey, you can even do it while cooking!
Show them:
You'll be teaching them really valuable important life skills and they'll be having the time of their life doing it!
About The Author
Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: "Homeschool Cooking in a Box" and the "Homeschool Cookbook". She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum that includes lots of recipes with cinnamon, visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com
http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com
Do you ever feel stressed? Is stress a regular component... Read More
Panic.Heart racing. Palms sweating. Breathing rapid and shallow. Mouth dry.... Read More
Rhodiola Rosea is the latest natural remedy to join the... Read More
Whether we are at work, traveling, or at home, we've... Read More
STRESS & TIME MANAGEMENT: Stress is either the source or... Read More
Stress management is a hot topic; stress-related illness and suffering... Read More
1. The Mentor Method: think of your favorite person. Someone... Read More
Managing stress is not easy if you don't have the... Read More
Syndicated columnist Dale Dauten recently wrote, "One of life's great... Read More
One of the ways I have avoided a lot of... Read More
"Watch your language."We all heard this admonition as kids and... Read More
My first real job (schedule, time clock, paycheck, boss) was... Read More
Ask a hundred different people how to deal with stress... Read More
It is very true that, unfortunately, many people look to... Read More
When was the last time that you truly took a... Read More
Did you ever feel like your "get-up-and-go" got up and... Read More
1) Create the life you desireTwo of our most underdeveloped... Read More
Fear, and its accompanying seriousness, causes our suffering. Fear restricts... Read More
Amazing thing, overwhelm!You don't usually see it coming. It just... Read More
Q. I have just recently come to recognize that I... Read More
If you find symptoms of anxiety disorder in any of... Read More
June is the month of the honey moon. Custom holds... Read More
Q: We recently had someone come to our company to... Read More
If you live in the early part of the twenty-first... Read More
Most people know of the importance of exercise as a... Read More
The Mask of "I've Got It All Together"It's so easy... Read More
These days, when people have become so conscious about what... Read More
June is the month of the honey moon. Custom holds... Read More
Do you worry all the time?Do the following symptoms bother... Read More
Stress affects different people in different ways, but affect them... Read More
Statistics tell us that more people have migraine headaches on... Read More
Let's take a look at some of the more serious... Read More
In a hectic world, it's all too easy to reach... Read More
While free-lancing for business magazines, I was assigned to write... Read More
Are You Too Stressed?Is your stomach all tied up in... Read More
We strive for excellence in our lives, going at full... Read More
The predominant role human conditioning plays in a stressful environment.... Read More
Question 1"How do I get more time to play?"Answer: Schedule... Read More
Raise your hand if you have ever been rejected by... Read More
This is the time for daydreaming about your annual vacation.... Read More
We function at our best when we are free from... Read More
One of the ways I have avoided a lot of... Read More
* The material presented in this article is provided for... Read More
Who hasn't experienced "worry" at one time or another? Almost... Read More
My son was watching a Richard Scarry video this morning... Read More
If you're like most people, you have your bouts of... Read More
"I'm stressed out."If you find yourself thinking--or saying--this on a... Read More
Q. Help! I moved from the Dallas to Denver. I... Read More
The moment I read the story I'm about to share... Read More
Conceptualizing stress: Stress often has a negative connotation. Failure, illnesses,... Read More
Stress Management |