| |
50 Stress Busting Ideas for Your Well-being. Part Two.
A comprehensive guide to stress Management
Manage the stress in your life, before it manages you!
The following activities will help you:
- Alter, avoid or accept your stressors
- Build your resources or strengths, and
- Change your attitude or perception of the stressors
Getting Started
Before you look through this publication, stop to think about what kinds of things might be causing stress for you. First, identify a stressor, like a family problem or a difficulty with a co-worker.
Then choose an activity (or two) that you think would help you deal with it. Apply yourself to doing that particular activity for a day, a week, or a month. You may want to remind yourself with notes on your mirror, refrigerator or car dashboard, or by wearing a piece of jewellery that reminds you of your commitment to practicing the activity in your daily life. Then, look back and note the difference in your stress level. Return to the list of activities whenever you like and repeat the process.
26. Take It Easy
Try to slow down and enjoy your leisure time. Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is nothing at all. Don't cram your days off with endless chores. Make an effort to relax and enjoy your free time. Loaf a little. Set your overscheduled life-style aside occasionally. Play regularly, but don't compete. Put some fun into your life every day.
27. Take Control
Take control of your life. Helplessness is a terrible feeling. While you may not be able to change everything, notice the things you can change. Accept the things you can't do anything about, and don't worry about them.
28. Enjoy a Diversion
Learn the art of diverting yourself into something you really enjoy. Go see a movie. Get a hobby and do it often. Take a class. Read a good book. Join a club. Take up a musical instrument, sing, write music, or simply listen to the stereo. Play a game. Goof off. Go out with friends. Volunteer.
29. Sweet Nothings
You've heard of whispering sweet nothings into your lover's ear. How about giving yourself positive messages? List on an index card all the positive messages you would like to send to yourself. Carry the card with you. When you feel distressed, prompt yourself. Take out the card and read all the positive messages, adding to them when you can.
30. Enjoy the Journey
On a long automobile trip, young children often ask, "Are we there yet?" Learn to master the skill of enjoying life's journey. Don't postpone happiness only for when you have arrived at your destination. Take time to smell the flowers, listen to birds singing or to nature's whispers in the wind.
31. Face Reality
When a stressor occurs, face reality and begin doing something about it. Avoid the "Why me?" syndrome. Determine to get busy and do something about your situation. Doing nothing only makes things worse.
For example, if you have suffered a substantial economic loss, make a realistic assessment of your losses. Next, prioritize needs and outline steps toward financial recovery.
32. Help a Worthy Cause
Sometimes we worry so much about our problems that we can't see anything else. Investing ourselves in a cause greater than ourselves helps to put our personal problems into perspective. Invest yourself meaningfully in a church or community group. Helping others can bring us peace and satisfaction.
33. Use Your Humagination
Humagination is the art of creating colorful and humorous situations in your mind, and letting the laughter flow.
For example, picture a man walking in a rainstorm. It's pouring. He is wearing a new, three-piece suit and marching with dignity down the street, an umbrella over his head. But the umbrella has no cloth or plastic.
It's just a skeleton of spokes. Give him a red tie. Now give him short pants, white socks and cowboy boots. Have him meet someone. What do they say?
34. Listen to Your Body
Pay attention to what the voice of your body is telling you. The body speaks to us in many ways: by headaches, stiff necks, high blood pressure, or an upset stomach. When you "hear" these messages, you may be pushing yourself too hard. Slow down. Relax.
35. If You Can't Sit Still, Don't
Some people are too fidgety to sit still and meditate. Herbert Benson says that jogging can elicit the same reaction as deep breathing while repeating a word. Here's how:
As you jog, focus on the cadence of your feet. Left/right/left/right, rather than repeating a word. While most runners experience a high during their third or fourth mile, those who use the relaxation response often reach that high during their first or second mile. This strategy works with any other continuous, rhythmic activity, such as swimming or bicycling.
36. Fill Your Life With Things You Love
Think about the things you love. Do you love to sing? Do you love to be alone in nature? Do you love to talk with friends? Make a list of 20 things you love to do.
Now pick out some of the ones you love most. Ask yourself: "What can I do to make time for the things I love most?" Then make a plan to do them. Set aside money for them. Ask others to help you do them.
37. See the Humour
Sometimes stress can be reduced if we see the humour in tense situations. For example, when kids have left the lights on throughout the house, you may feel like screaming at them. Instead, call them together and announce, very seriously, that there has been a sad report from Roachville that the lights left on in your home are disturbing the slumber of the local roaches, especially the babies. Maybe we could all help the roaches get to
sleep by going through the house and turning off all the lights. Be sure to avoid sarcasm or insults. Make your statements as ridiculous as possible. You'll find everyone starts laughing, including yourself!
38. Put First Things First
What's important to you? That's a first step before deciding how to spend your time and energy.
Begin by doing nothing for five minutes. This will give you time to relax and clear your mind. Next, make a list of the five things you value most, and five things you enjoy doing the most. Finally, take a look at how you spend your time during the day. Are you spending time and energy on things that you truly value and enjoy doing? Is there a conflict between your values and the way you spend your time? How can you reduce the conflict? You may want to keep this list handy, such as in your wallet or purse. The list can help you focus on what is most important to you.
39. Use Time Efficiently
Ever find yourself saying, "Where did all the time go?" Try this strategy to maximize use of your time.
Name your time wasters. Don't lie to yourself. What are they? Procrastination? Going from one task to another? Watching TV out of habit, not out of interest?
Start with the biggies. Divide all your tasks into three categories. A's are essential to your life goals. B's are important but not essential. C's are trivia. Forget about them. Do A's first, and at the time of day when you are most alert and creative. Blast away at your top priorities and let others fall by the wayside. Stop running late. Arrive at appointments five minutes early. Check yourself. Keep a log for one week detailing your time use.
40. Take Mental Vacations
Sometimes we feel so worn out or frustrated that we reach the "I can't cope" level. That's a good time for a mental vacation. Find a place where you can be alone. Lie down, close your eyes, and imagine you are lying on a beautiful beach. Imagine the sun on your face. Listen to the sounds of birds and waves. Feel the warm sand. Breathe deeply and slowly. Enjoy relaxing for several minutes. Then imagine yourself jogging, swimming, shopping, or anything you would enjoy doing on your vacation. When you are feeling better, open your eyes. Think of what needs to be done immediately and what can wait until later. Take it one small step at a time!
41. Don't Forget the Funnies!
How about a daily habit of funnies? Read comic strips, poems, newspaper columns, stories, videos and books that tickle your funny bone. Develop a collection of favorites.
Tell jokes and humorous stories to others at mealtime, while driving in the car or at any other time!
42. Do Some Personal Planning
Do you want to live by your decisions, and not your conditions?
Master the art of setting goals. You can write your diary in advance!
Begin by deciding what you really want out of life. What can you do in the next five years in pursuit of your life goals? In the next year? Next month? This week? Be as specific as possible. Check your plan every three months to make sure you're on track, or to make adjustments.
Make a daily plan. Label the most important tasks A, the next tasks B, C, and so on. Estimate the amount of time for each task. Begin with the first task and work down the list. Try to spend some time, even five minutes, working on an "A" priority every day.
43. Do Some Emotional Gardening
Replace stressful thoughts with pleasant ones. Think of it as emotional gardening. You pull the ugly weeds out of your garden, and you cultivate the good plants. Instead of dwelling on a hurt or injustice, think about someone you like and perhaps about some way you can help that person. Don't blame others or become preoccupied with blaming. Remember, a beautiful garden is very satisfying. A garden of weeds can be very discouraging.
44. Stand Your Ground
We are confronted with conflict situations daily. But we can't spend our energy confronting every situation. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Is there really a threat here?
- Is it really worth a fight?
- If I fight, will it really make a difference?
If the answer to all three questions is yes, set an appointment for the discussion. State the issue clearly. Avoid "always" and "never." Don't hit below the belt, but stand up for yourself. Answer back only after you've paraphrased what you've heard. Let the fight end when it's over. Don't insist on having the last word. If the issue isn't fully resolved, set another appointment for a later time.
45. Think Before You Eat
Some of us use food in unhealthy ways when we are under stress. Ask yourself how you view food. Do you view eating as a way to alleviate stress? Do you eat because you are bored? If your answer is yes, try to find more positive ways to fill your empty hours. Try reading, exercise, visiting friends, taking kids on an outing, or a hobby.
46. Be A Kid!
Being an adult is hard work, especially if we rarely let our hair down. Bring some childlike activities into your own life-style. Take a nap. Have a regular cookies and milk break. Read children's books. Kids need playtime... so do adults. Take it!
Spend time with children. Talk to them. Play with them. Read together.
If you can, spend some time volunteering at school with the younger grades. Notice how much they enjoy life and don't take it too seriously. Find out what you can from a child.
47. Learn to Adapt
Being flexible and adaptable is important in stress management. You can expand your flexibility by deliberately planning new experiences into your schedule. There are many ways to do this. On occasion, reverse or exchange responsibilities with a family member or co-worker. Once a month, participate in a new recreational activity. Invite a person you don't know well to join you for a meal or some activity. Change a routine. Take a different route to work.
48. Enjoy Natural Beauties
The beauties of Nature offer many opportunities for letting go of stress. There is something soothing and reassuring about the natural environment. Enjoy a sunset, or the stars on a clear night. Hike to a favorite peaceful place and listen to the sounds of nature.
49. What Works for You?
Some of the best stress-busting exercises will be those you create on your own. You may be surprised how effective it can be to write your own ideas on blank cards, and practice your own advice in the way you practice the other ideas listed here. Have fun!
50. Analyze Your Stress
Make a list of your current stressors. Add two columns to the right of the stressor labeled "IMP" for Important and "CON" for Control.
For each stressor, ask yourself, "Is this really important?" Put a V, S, or N in the column labeled IMP, showing if the stressor is Very, Somewhat or Not Important. Next ask yourself, "Can I do anything about it?" In the column labeled CON, place a Y for "Yes", N for "NO", or an S for "Some Control."
Draw a large square on a sheet of paper and divide it into four square boxes. Label the top two boxes 1 and 2 (left to right), and the bottom two 3 and 4. In boxes 1 and 2, put the unimportant stressors that you can't and can control; in boxes 3 and 4, place the important stressors you can't and can control, respectively. Look over your grid and summarize your insights.
.......................................
Many of the Stress Busting ideas originated in the following publications:
- Replacing Stress With Peace, by Dr. Wallace Goddard
- Rethinking Family Stress, by Dr. Wesley Burr
- The Relaxation Response, by Dr. Herbert Benson
- A Guide to Managing Stress, by Krames Communications
- Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, by Dr. Stephen Covey
- Some activities were reprinted with permission from Kicking Your Stress Habits, 1981, 1989. Donald A. Tubesing, Ph.D. Published by Whole Person Press
-._.-"*"-._.-"*"-._.- ## -._.-"*"-._.-"*"-._.-
My sincere thanks to Stephen F. Duncan, Ph.D., Human Development Specialist, and to the MSU Extension Service, for allowing me to recreate this article.
Their copyright is acknowledged and retained.
Go to Part 1 of the Stress Busting Ideas Article.
If you have any thoughts on this, please write to me at:
To explore treating this condition from your home, go to Telephone Help with EFT.
Philip Chave © 2004-
Note: Please be aware that Healing does not take the place of conventional medicine, nor does it replace the advice of a qualified medical practitioner. Always consult a GP for an acute or infectious condition, and problems of an urgent nature. Continue with your prescribed medication. Healing is a complementary therapy that works effectively alongside orthodox/conventional healthcare, thus expanding your treatment options.
Want to help maintain the Distant Healing Service?
Please email:
, or visit: Online Donations. Thank You.
Go Back One Page
Top
Distant Healing for Depression & Stress
"Send the gift of Distant Healing from only £10, the results can be phenomenal!"
Distant Healing can: Reduce stress and cause deep relaxation. Reduce the symptoms of illness. Reduce depression and anxiety. Increase the sense of wellbeing, awareness and creativity. Increase the body's ability to control pain. Balance the body's energy and reduce emotional trauma.
This is to help the body heal at a mental, emotional, spiritual and physical level.
Distant Healing is sent between 9pm and 10pm GMT, daily for one whole month.
Distant Healing Request
1 Month Continuous
|
Distant Healing Request - Special Offer
3 x 1 Month Healings When Requested
| |
|
Please Note:- Distant Healing will go WorldWide and is not confined to any local area. A request for Distant Healing is not a guarantee that you will receive the outcome that you require, neither is it a substitute for conventional medical treatment by a doctor.
Contact by Email:- Please feel free to email separately with any additional details you wish to discuss, and to receive confirmation or a receipt. I look forward to helping you...
|
|
|
