Face it, stress is a major part of many of our lives these days. We have job stress, financial stress, and family stress. Many of us suffer from stress that is coming from so many different sources. We have been told many times about the negative effects of stress on our physical and mental health. So even though we may not be able to completely get rid of the cause of the stress, we can practice good stress management techniques that will help us find some freedom from the constant tension.
First of all, take a look at what is causing the most stress in your life. Is it something you can control? If so, you need to take some type of action to reduce the affects of the stress on your life. For example – if your commute is getting to you, find a different route to work that is not as busy, see if you can change your working hours slightly to avoid traffic congestion. Sometimes small changes can make a big difference in your life.
Are the things you worry about small or large? We all have fears of job loss, illness, etc., but so many people worry about little things. Many times the little things we worry about cause more stress in our lives than the big things! We have all heard the expression, ‘Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff’. Well that expression is so true! When you feel worried or anxious about something, take a step back and ask yourself if the problem is large or small. More importantly is it worth your time and effort? Most of the time the things we worry about are just taking up time in our lives, so let them go and free up your life. Remember – most of it is small stuff!
If you feel yourself overwhelmed and ready to crack, and letting go is not helping, you can use a few techniques that will help relax your mind and allow you a moment or two of peace. Even just a few minutes of stress relief can restore your mind and body to a better balance.
Yoga is a wonderful stress reducer. While practicing yoga you are stretching your body and releasing tension. You also have to concentrate and focus your mind, this allows you to let go of the negative thinking and give your brain a rest from the turmoil!
Meditation is another good way to give your brain a rest. Find a quiet location, get in a comfortable position and let your mind completely relax. Let go of the negative and stressful thoughts. Focus on positive affirmations or nothing at all, just let the bad flow out of your mind and the good to flow in. Slow down your breathing and allow your body to completely relax. Practicing meditation everyday is a good way to stay on top of the stress in your life.
Take a nap. A short nap can be a great way to restore clear thinking and rejuvenate your body. Lie down in a quiet, dark room and just enjoy the silence. You could listen to relaxing music to help you free your mind of distracting thoughts. In addition to taking a nap, making sure you get adequate sleep is important to helping your body deal with stress. We are more capable of dealing with what life throws at us when we are fully rested.
It may not be possible to completely avoid stress in our lives, but we can learn to deal with it. Just remember to let go of the small stuff, get plenty of rest, and find time for yourself. Don’t let stress rule your life, it is time to use proven techniques to find the peace of mind you need.
Paige is a graphic designer who enjoys fitness and the outdoors. She uses a roll laminator daily in her work. Check out her website, http://www.rolllaminator.org to learn all about roll laminators so you can get the best one for your home or business.