Coping with Stress

DO YOU OFTEN FEEL OVERWHELMED WITH NO DIRECTION?
ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING?
ARE YOU CONSTANTLY WORRYING?
DO YOU FEEL THAT THINGS ARE OUT OF YOUR CONTROL?
YOU ARE NOT ALONE, OVER 80% OF PHYSICIANS VISITS ARE STRESS RELATED. THE FOLLOWING PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES CAN HELP YOU COPE WITH STRESS IN YOUR DAILY LIFE AND LEARN TO BALANCE LIFE AND EXPERIENCE JOY.

1. Begin each day with some deep breathing before you get out of bed. Be mindful of the present moment. Clear the clutter of the rational mind and stop dwelling on the past and worrying about the future. At any given moment you have a choice.

2. Use your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy for things you can control. While not all things are within our control, we can control a full range of our emotions. Remember to get regular check ups from your physician, take care of your health on all levels and have a support person to assist you in coping with your stress.

3. Pay attention to what you affirm. We have 60,000 thoughts a day. 95% of the time, we have those same 60,000 thoughts the next day. You want those thoughts to be positive filled with positive affirmations of yourself. Allow your inner chatter be your inner champion rather than your inner critic.

4. Take control by taking action. Honor your true priorities by making lists and being in alignment with what matters most to you. We all have longings but we often don't achieve them because we make excuses. Start now and complete one action step at a time toward achieving your goal.

5. Take care of your financial health. This is a huge stress for many but it doesn't have to be. Begin with balancing your checkbook, make a list of expenses and learn to cut expenses or increase income. Contact a financial planner if you are having difficulty. You cannot afford not to.

6. Avoid gossip, negativity and criticism. These are toxic behaviors. What matters most is you and not what others have to say about you. Be a balcony person for yourself and others. Be up in the balcony cheering for yourself and others.

7. Use humor and laughter daily. This is one of the top coping strategies for stress reduction. As adults we get so serious and forget to laugh. Remind yourself of something funny and laugh many times each day. I t loosens up the abdomen and relaxes the solar plexus. Watch comedy and read the funnies and make time for joy!

8. Let go of trying to be perfect. Perfection doesn't exist. Learn to cut corners and not be perfect. It takes far too much energy trying to be perfect. You'll only fall short and disappoint yourself. Learn to let go and relax. It's ok.

9. Exercise Muscles of the Soul. Just as your physical muscles will atrophy if you don't use them, the same will occur with your muscles of the soul. What are muscles of the soul? Faith, hope, courage, humor, optimism, love, joy, balance. There are many more. Name your own muscles of the soul and exercise them regularly.

10. Be open to change. Humans are resistant to change. In fact, the only human that seems to welcome change is a wet baby! Learn to accept change as something positive in your life. Change is good in many ways. By opening up to receive change you open yourself up to new beginnings and limitless possibilities.