Are you beginning to think it’s just hopeless? That for you, there is no time to take classes, practice, or even begin to take on anything new – such as learning to manage your stress!
Here are five questions for you to honestly answer.
1. Do you want to spend the rest of your life in the mental condition you are in right now / or a worsened condition?
2. Do you want to stress out and wear your heart out faster?
3. Are you willing to ignore your lack of stress management skills and find yourself in a contentious situation with no resolve in sight?
4. Do you need to turn to alcohol to “take the edge” off?
That’s a tough one. The difference between having a drink and depending on it is the crux of this question. Is that your stress management technique every day?
5. Do you like the feelings you get in your gut when you have gone past the point of no return and still it’s necessary to “suck it up and shut up”?
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If you answered NO to questions 1,2,3,and 5 (or any of them), it’s time to FIND THE TIME to learn simple stress management techniques
If you answered YES to question four, then you also need to get busy for you, the sake of your family, and your LIFE!
The following five statements are simple management skills and invaluable to use daily.
1. Use your oxygen mindfully and change your life. Only a minute or two “a few times” a day will help! (Previous posts have specific directions and on line practices). This is the number one and simplest help for you.
2. When you begin to feel upset or nervous, let a bell ring in your head and think: “I am in charge of my response. No matter what the problem, I CAN handle it.”
3. Take mini-breaks at the computer. Close your fists tightly and release. Stand up and move around to get oxygen flowing. Open and close your eyes several times, and rub your fingertips together until they get warm and place them on your eyes for a moment. Take a breath! ANY or all of these things can help instantly.
4. Don’t let the “momentary” stress STEAL your joy. One guarantee in life is that EVERYTHING changes – and can in the blink of an eye – so be patient and calm and remember, “this too shall pass”……
5. SMILE more often. Practice it. Even if you don’t think there is anything to make you smile, do it. You will find that simply smiling will automatically elevate your spirit. Even if you smile simply because it seems to be silly to smile for nothing, do it!
Now CREATE A WONDERFUL day for YOU and those in the circle of your life.
