How To Rid Yourself From the Hold That Stress Has On You
Everywhere you look at television or read the paper or go to the mall is about how to create the perfect non-stressful, peaceful and calm life — from having just the right party for the long-awaited Super Bowl XLIV to the best way to socialize at business parties, the right way to ace your perfect job interview, all sorts of things assail you that can trip you up and fill you with insurmountable pressures that can all contribute to destroying that “perfect” image that everyone wants you to believe that you can have. It just ain’t that easy, is it? The effects of stress are like tiny little monsters that seem to jump out at you at every chance.
You try though. You jump full tilt into 2010 and do your best to fulfill all the expectations that are set before you with a zealousness that you didn’t know you had. Then….you wake up with a jolt when things begin to go awry and things start to go wrong. You feel as though you’ve just been jolted into the realization that your bed of roses is starting to get awfully thorny. Stressed? You bet you are.
It is possible to sidestep the effects of stress and make sure that your 2010 new year starts out on the right foot. Here are six strategies you can use to set yourself up for a calmer, more confident you while letting you face each day boldly — financially, physically and emotionally — and gain the added advantage of reducing the effects of stress.
1. Set limitations.
* Preparation ahead of time is key to preventing yourself from falling victim of overindulgence, either at the party tables, or your son’s or daughter’s graduation. Prepare for how much you will spend or eat or buy, share that decision, then vow to not stray from that decision.
* Take time to relax and unwind from all the frenzy. If you don’t take that time, you’ll be worn out to a frazzle and could end up taking it out on those you love.
* Acquaint yourself with the early warning symptoms of ’stress’ and then utilize tactics to prevent the emotional triggers that can assail you.
* Avoid, avoid, avoid the “buy now, worry later” approach. You won’t like your credit card bills if you don’t.
2. Be generous.
* Help a friend or family member or take them out to dinner; give them a time out from their own stresses.
* Generosity extends far beyond giving gifts – give the gift of your time, encouragement, sharing memories, whatever someone needs to make their life more calm and happy.
* Giving is keeping and succeeding. What you neglect to give will haunt you forever.
3. Be cautious about the conversations you take part in.
* You are going to pick up the negative vibes, resentments, hatreds, and biases that are shared with you. Avoid hanging around the people that share negativity and seek the company of those that share joy, positive thinking, and pleasantness.
* If people aren’t being nice, resist the temptation to take it personally. The finger will always point back at them.
4. Don’t let others’ “sour grapes” attitudes and actions be an excuse for yours.
* Control your behavior and don’t worry about directing the behavior of others – you won’t succeed.
* Act as a model for the behaviors you would like others to emulate.
* Give up using excuses all together for how you behave. If you have a bad moment, own up to it and go on.
5. Stop telling yourself you “should have” done this, or you “should have” done that.
* Holding onto the extra baggage of how things “should be” will be too much of a burden to bear.
6. Get your broom out and sweep away the old, unreliable feelings and actions.
* Just because it’s tried and true doesn’t mean it has to be that way forever.
* Choose the easy way to do things — it will ease the stress and give you more time to enjoy life, health, and happiness.
* Don’t take it on your shoulders to be the sole provider. Delegate responsibilities to others. Take off the yoke – you’ll ease the effects of stress.
About the author
Margie Warrell is a bestselling author, certified life coach and expert on living with greater clarity, confidence and courage. Get your FREE one-page pinup of the 12 Everyday Acts of Courage to help you live a bigger, bolder and more rewarding life! Oh, wait! I almost forgot to tell you. Don't forget to swing on over and invest a Day in Yourself and your success.Tags: coping with stress, effects of stress, stress, stress anxiety, Stress Management, stress reduction