Do you feel tense and anxious at work? Do your co-workers and/or boss make you crazy? Is your personal life less than blissful? If so, you've got stress. If you're like most people you've sought refuge from this situation by trying a quick fix or two like calling a friend, walking the dog, or going away for the weekend in an attempt to escape it all. While these strategies may serve as temporary diversions, nothing in your life changes when you return to your routine.
Stress is internal, which explains why it can wreak havoc on your health. It feels awful...it's the sense that you're not in control. The easiest way to mitigate its effect is to take charge of the one and only thing you have the power to control...YOU, and let go of what you can't control. The beauty of this recipe is that by taking control of your life, external or outside things will change in response to your internal changes. Here are 10 steps to destress for your present and future:
1. Heal yourself.
Dr. Bruce McEwen, who wrote The End of Stress As We Know It, suggests that eliminating stress comes right from your grandmother's journal. He says the most effective steps you can take are the simplest: exercise, a healthy diet, regular sleep, moderate to minimal alcohol intake, and no smoking. This, he notes, is the most sophisticated, up to the minute, cutting edge science available!
2. Get organized.
Physical clutter reminds us of things that need to be done and that's stressful. Remove your physical clutter and you'll eradicate your mental clutter, plus you'll feel energized. Please go to http://topten.org/public/AG/AG306.html for a simple organizing solution that will work on any space.
3. Set boundaries.
Boundaries act as a filter to keep you safe from the hurtful behavior of others while allowing in the love, support and nurturing actions we all need. Set your boundaries by: (a) determining what others cannot do to you or in your presence and (b) sharing this information respectfully with anyone who is stepping over one of your boundaries.
4. Take time for yourself.
Put together a list of all the things you love to do but haven't regularly made time to do. Put your list in priority order and enter the top five to seven items into your daily calendar. Your list may include things as simple as journaling, reading a great book, taking a bubble bath, yoga, etc. You'll be more successful getting to these activities when you give them a time and place on your calendar.
5. Be positive.
William James, the father of modern psychology said, "The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude of mind." In other words, what you say and what you tell yourself impact the present and create your future. Love yourself and use the power of positive words, pleasing thoughts and affirming beliefs to live the life you want to live.
6. Work in a career you love.
If you're like most people, you spend the majority of your waking hours at work. You'll know you're in the right profession when: you wake up anxious to go to work, you want to do your best daily, and you know your work is important.
7. Surround yourself with a supportive community.
You are who you spend time with. Hang out with people who love and accept you just the way you are, are interested in you (not what you can do for them), lift you up (not wear you down), solve problems quickly, don't gossip or complain, and know how to have fun. Anything is possible with the right support.
8. Learn to say, "No."
We've all been influenced by people in our life who tell us we should do this or we ought to do that. As a result, we may end up living a life that others have decided for us versus living the life we want. So, the next time you think of something you ought to do or someone else suggests you should do, take a breath and ask yourself if it's something you want to do. If not, just say, "no" or "no thank you." When you say no to things you don't care to do, you are saying yes to you and this will free up your time and energy for the things you choose to do. Bottom line - you'll be happier.
9. Zap tolerations.
A toleration is something that irritates you and drains your energy because it needs to be done, fixed, removed, or changed. If you're like most people you may be tolerating 100 or more things! Put together a list of all the things that bug you, e.g. a dripping faucet, money concerns, your weight, shopping and running errands, not enough time, computer files out of control, your hair, a room that needs to be painted, etc. When your list is complete, group like items and see if one solution will eliminate multiple tolerations. For example, if you have piles of clothing in each bedroom, dirty windows and dust bunnies on your floor, hiring a housekeeper will zap all three tolerations. Line up a housekeeper, today. Then, commit to spending a chunk of time each week to zap your other tolerations. If you have a toleration that you don't have the skill or know-how to fix, consider calling an expert or seek out a skilled professional to trade services with.
10. Get your needs met.
A "need" is not an option, it is something you must have to function fully. It is differentiated from a "want" in that a want is optional. Unmet needs can drive you to distraction and worse. Determine what needs you have that aren't being met, if any, and then take the appropriate action to get them fulfilled. Example: If you've taken a big hit and are going through a career transition, ask a good friend to call you two or three times a week to check in with you and give you support. Other options include calling your own voice mail and leaving supportive messages or hiring a coach who specializes in career transitions. When you acknowledge and satisfy your needs, you will be free to focus on other areas of your life.
If you want to be happier and more successful, focus on the things you have the power to control.
Pam N. Woods is co-author of a bestselling book, Create the Business Breakthrough You Want: Secrets and Strategies from the World's Greatest Mentors; endorsed by Ken Blanchard and Dr. Stephen Covey. She is a Coach U graduate and President of Smart WorkLife Solutions, a coaching and consulting company devoted to co-creating customized solutions to fit clients business and personal organizing needs. Prior to founding her own firm she had a successful 20+ year career as an insurance executive and Vice President of Human Resources. For more free how-to articles and advice, or to contact Woods, visit http://www.worklifecoach.com. Copyright 2004 - Pam Woods
spotless home service Lake Forest ...In order to free ourselves from the pain of anger... Read More
So, you've recognised that you are suffering from stress and... Read More
The moment I read the story I'm about to share... Read More
I love a good story and I know I'm not... Read More
"Smash!" It was a sunny autumn Saturday. My cousins and... Read More
Do you feel stress at work? Do you carry your... Read More
I learned a valuable lesson recently. A short while ago,... Read More
The number one most popular issue that users of a... Read More
If you've recently experienced loss or are going through a... Read More
Elizabeth, 32, cried during anger management class as she told... Read More
Picture the following scene:It's Sunday evening, the weekend is winding... Read More
Q. I wonder if you could help me with a... Read More
When it is all said and done, do you feel... Read More
Stress relief and managementRecognizing stress symptoms can be a positive... Read More
Seems like more and more they are all around us.... Read More
No this is not related to praying, this is how... Read More
Who hasn't experienced "worry" at one time or another? Almost... Read More
What do you do when you wake up in the... Read More
"The great lesson from the true mystics, from the Zen... Read More
Tough leaders are usually seen as ogres. Their exacting demands... Read More
So many of us live a stressful life. Unfortunately, when... Read More
This heading may seem like a contradiction in terms. How... Read More
The Problem You don't need me to tell you how... Read More
"I've got too much to do, I've just got too... Read More
My work often deals with proactive, preventive means to Overcome... Read More
best value cleaning service Des Plaines ...Stress is often seen as being unhealthy, but for some... Read More
Do you get out of your car with a queasy... Read More
We wonder how many of you might recognise this scenario?... Read More
Make stress less of an issue for you in your... Read More
It's no secret that we women, by virtue of our... Read More
Stress affects different people in different ways, but affect them... Read More
Punch a pillowScream into a pillowTurn on your favorite music... Read More
Do you ever fret? In today's materialistic age, sometimes fretting... Read More
The pace of life seems to quicken every year. More... Read More
"The great lesson from the true mystics, from the Zen... Read More
This is the time for daydreaming about your annual vacation.... Read More
Stress is defined as a response by your body to... Read More
The fall season signals a shift in most people's minds.... Read More
1. Take a relaxing bath. Add music, candles and a... Read More
This heading may seem like a contradiction in terms. How... Read More
When I pay attention, I clearly see the arresting ways... Read More
Traffic jams. Toddler tantrums. Deadlines at work. Money troubles. Too... Read More
Are You Too Stressed?Is your stomach all tied up in... Read More
Raise your hand if you have ever been rejected by... Read More
My grandmother, a feisty and athletic woman in her younger... Read More
What would you say if I told you I know... Read More
Seems like more and more they are all around us.... Read More
"Watch your language."We all heard this admonition as kids and... Read More
My work often deals with proactive, preventive means to Overcome... Read More
What part of no don't you understand? - Bumper stickerThe... Read More
Stress Management |