Don’t you think it’s difficult sometimes to quantify why you are here on planet earth? I know I’ve found it difficult many times. Perhaps you’ve thought:

“It’s just not worth the trouble.”
“My kids are raised, my life means nothing.”
“My husband and I split up and I will never find my dreams.”
“I am getting old and hurt every day. There is no future for me.”
“I am a looser.”

Well, I call BS and say STOP THE PITY PARTY. I’ve been there!
I’ve been “there” many times – more times than I care to remember. I’ve been on the edge, without hope, without purpose, alone, overwhelmed with life in general.

Guess what? I’m still here! I just flatly decided a long time ago I am stronger than to give in to life of the influences of circumstances…even circumstances I helped create.

I admit my faith has been an abiding factor in my recovery – but just to let you know, I HAVEN’T ALWAYS had my faith to pull me up by the bootstraps. Sometimes I’ve had an “empty cup” and had to remember I am human, and human kind are built for endurance.

So what if you’ve lost everything you ever worked for SO FAR….I’ve done that too! Mama always said, “Material things come and go…” Guess what? THEY DO!

Pinch yourself. It hurts doesn’t it? So stop inflicting unnecessary pain to yourself. It’s difficult enough to rise above circumstance; don’t add to your own challenges.

If you are breathing, if you are thinking, if you are reading and using your hands to type – if you are alive – you still have the chance to find HAPPINESS.

The secret is, it comes from within YOU! As you think, so shall you be. No matter what the circumstance, there is always a path to travel. That path, ultimately, is of your own creation.

Don’t give up. Don’t give in. You are stronger than you ever dreamed. You are worth a life…your life. You are worth gritting your teeth, rolling up your sleeves, and trying again!

If you don’t think I know what I am talking about – share your experience with me privately and I’ll show you I know what I am talking about! I haven’t been through the hell in my life for nothing…pain shared makes your experience easier.

Share it privately with me and I will respond privately to you, with love and support. I promise. I’ve been a personal health consultant (mind, body and spirit) for over
thirty years, and lived at least five different lives! Let me help, no charge, if I can!
The spirit is willing!
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Opt for Optimism

Research has shown that the majority of illnesses, including backaches, headaches, and even heart disease, can be caused or influenced by our feelings and our stress levels.

When we experience life changes-positive or negative-our bodies need time to recover.  If we have an optimistic attitude, it can help speed recover and may even keep you healthier than someone with negative attitudes.

By learning to look on the “bright side” you can help counteract the negative effects of stress and improve your overall health.

Look on the Bright Side

The classic definition of an optimist is a person who sees a glass as half full, while the pessimist sees it as half empty.

Optimists choose to feel hopeful about how they see a situation.

Optimists are positive thinkers who practice positive “self-talk”. Optimists tell themselves, “I can do it.  I will do it. ”

Surprisingly, optimism, or positive thinking, can help accomplish a surprising number of personal goals.

How to Become an Optimist

Find a role model.  Find someone who seems to make the best of any given situation.  Find out how that person maintains that attitude and copy the behavior!   Get in the habit of responding in a positive manner.  Chances are that this role model, even during difficult times, will get through the circumstance with fewer negative effects.

Practice positive self-talk.  Repetition is the mother of all learning, and the only way to change the habit of constant negativity, is by training yourself.   Tell yourself positive things for a month.  Make that brief commitment and follow through and it can change your life.  Leave out of your vocabulary negative words such as “can’t, won’t, or don’t”.

Practice positive affirmations.  Affirmations are positive, and motivating statements.  Use short “I am” statements:  “I am calm and will respond with intellect.”  “I am changing to become more positive.”  Say the affirmations out loud several times, and then imagine it happening.  You are in the process of creating new brain cells that are based on your positive thoughts and affirmations.

No one is optimistic all the time.  It just isn’t possible.  We are all human.  But anyone can learn how to adopt a more positive, healthier attitude.  When you practice being an optimist, you’ll be on your way to a happier, healthier body, mind and spirit.

Now take a deep inhalation of oxygen and think, “I am in charge of my attitude and the response to any challenge I may encounter.”

CREATE a wonderful day!

Scientists are proving that “the ability of mere thought to alter the physical structure and function of our gray matter” is NOT just an idea posed by those who participate in visualizations and meditations.

Mental practice resulted (as seen in a series of tests) in the reorganization of the brain. The scientists also discovered that mental training had the power to change the physical structure of the brain. How cool is that!

Now we know that scientists concur with those of us who participate in mind training for stress management, such as visualizations and meditations, to be used to enhance our lives and reduce our stress level to one that is manageable and not damaging to the body.

At all ages the brain retains the ability to change its structure and function in response to thought and / or experience.

“As you think, so shall you become”, an old proverb, seems more meaningful than some previously realized. We have such great, and unrecognized powers, to help ourselves heal the mind and body.  We can mentally rehearse upcoming events, and actually change our lives through our thoughts.

When you begin to feel that the stress level is unbearable, begin management by exercising your mind. Use your intake of oxygen to enhance your thoughts and help the process.

An example of “thinking” to help manage stress might go something like this:

“Because I care about myself, I choose to eliminate negative thoughts and expectations from my mind. I monitor my words and actions carefully, make sure that what I say and do is positive and caring.”

“I will work with a better attitude, knowing I can achieve much more if I am less worried.  I will take a breath when I feel overwhelmed, and begin to review my thoughts.”

“I will read literature and books that enhance my life and enrich my mind. I will think myself healthier and my brain will help it happen.”

You have much more ability and resources from within to help manage stress than imaginable.  The crux of this is YOU must begin by using your intellect.  Be patient and expect miracles!

No matter what age you are, good health habits are a huge part of taking care of yourself.  Practicing good habits do not guarantee that you will never get sick, or that you will live longer, but they will improve the way you feel and the quality of your life.  They also build your immunity, which can keep you from “catching” frequent colds and letting illness rule your life.

You only have one body to live in, so let’s review a bit of pertinent information. It’s not as difficult as you think.

Stay active with exercise

Don’t respond with “I hate exercise”.  Exercise does not mean you have to spend your life at the gym.  It should be fun, interchangeable, and something that will trigger excitement instead of dread.

There is a world of wonderful ways to get exercise.  The first one is simply walking.   A recent study showed that by taking a brisk, half-hour walk just six times a month, you cut the risk of early death by forty-four percent!  That’s astounding.

If you just can’t “squeeze” that into your schedule – first of all, shame on you!  You are worth that minimum amount of time to keep your body healthy.  After all, if you aren’t healthy you can’t perform any function optimally.  The world that surrounds you, family, work, friends, peers, will all NOT GET the best of you – so take a breath and read on.

If you still reconcile that you cannot afford that amount of time, do this:  Park further from the store.  On a break walk (even if it’s up and down the back stairs or through the office.)

Take your lunch and find a friend and walk the first fifteen minutes.  Stand in front of the television and walk in place.

Anything you do will help to better your health.  The trick is to do it regularly.  Get in the habit of allowing you that minimal amount of time to help your mind and body.

Your circulation will be better and you will return to your job refreshed.  A ten-minute walk can be relaxing and invigorating too.

You can join a health club.  Take a yoga class, walk with a friend, or play tennis.  Vacuum. That may not be the most fun, but consider it a dance, and sing, and it will be better.  Even gardening is a great exercise.  Body movement and breathing are keys to good health.

Exercise has many benefits.  It reduces STRESS, boredom, depression, and improves sleep.  It improves the skin and muscle tone.  It improves blood circulation, balance and flexibility.  It lowers blood pressure and even reduces the risk for adult-onset diabetes.

So now – get up and shake everything.  Take a breath.  Come

on, it’s you LIFE!  Do something to make it better.  This is easy stuff.  Take another breath and stretch your arms above your head and remember – “I am alive.  I can do whatever I choose!

It’s REALLY my option!”

The only person you are destroying – ultimately – is YOU.

SO DON’T GIVE UP!

If you want to change – do it.

If you want help – ask for it; seek it.

If you are alone – pray.

If you are afraid – think of the worst that can happen.  Accept it – then it’s all up hill from there.

The only devastation is from within.  The only defeat is your acceptance of it.  The only one in charge – IS YOU!

Get off your gluts and begin again.  You want stress management?  That’s  my advice.

You are the captain of your ship.  Sink or carry on man!

You can see the worry by the deep creases in their brows.  You can hear it in the voice of a mother who yells at her child, not to be mean, but because she is tired, and is feeling pressure mounting and tension building.

Notice the disgruntled worker who looses it and flies into a violent rage. His stress is revealed through the explosion manifested from the implosion that took an outward reaction to stress.  They too are on the verge of exhaustion, and could be creating high blood pressure and a potential heart attack!

Don’t say it doesn’t matter how other people feel, because the truth is, it does.  Where there is stress there is disharmony, discomfort, and danger lurking in every corner.

You can be a key factor in changing things if you begin with you!

So how do we work out of these scenarios?  We learn to REALLY manage stress, and REALLY relax!  I don’t mean the kind of relaxation that is poured into a glass, or the kind that you feel when you smoke a cigarette or have a food binge session.  Those things are NOT really relaxing!  Trust me.

Sit back a bit and straighten up and take a nice slow breath in through the nose. Think about it moving throughout your head, giving your brain optimal oxygen.  Then exhale slowly.

With just that simple exercise, you have honestly improved your mind, your energy, and relaxed yourself at the same time.  Does this sound too good to be true? Not even!  It is the physiology of the human body to react in those ways without you even knowing.  But you will if you practice.

Remember the axiom, a Latin proverb, “repetition is the mother of all learning”.  We encourage our children to practice whatever task they are trying to accomplish, so we need to keep that in mind when it comes to ourselves.

You will only your best self if you treat yourself as you would a friend!

With each practice of just this breathing, you are creating new brain cells, and enhancing your life.  Your blood pressure will drop, and your muscles and ligaments and tendons will stay relaxed and flexible.

Do it once an hour.  Are you worth it?  Are you worth taking twenty to thirty seconds every hour to manage your stress and improve your life?  I think you are!

Does this describe you? Your shoulders are tense your back hurts.  You feel grouchy and can’t quite put your finger on why you feel like —–.  Your wife (girlfriend, children or roommate) looks at you like you are a monster!  WHAT CAN YOU DO?

YOU CAN HELP RELIEVE BOTH THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL TENSION THAT OFTEN ACCOMPANIES STRESSFUL SITUATIONS!

Relax your body and relax your Emotions

The next time you feel the effects of stress too much, when you are overwhelmed, try some of the following ways to help you relax

1.  Deep breathing is your number one defense against unmanageable stress.  You can sit, lie down, or stand to do this.

Close your eyes and breathe in slowly for a count of 5-10 seconds. By closing your eyes you will give them a rest too. Take ten of these super-relaxers any time you feel tense.

2.  Stretch.  Practice simple stretches that also be done in various positions.  Gently roll your head in a half circle from side to side with your head pressing towards your chest.  Stretch your arms into the air and stretch you fingers too.  Point your toes away from your body, and then flex them towards you.  Stretching will allow the blood circulation to those parts of the body that have been “crunched” by poor posture or sitting at a desk.

3.  Any kind of exercise is wonderful to help reduce stress.  Make it fun.  A walk, hiking, bowling, running, or playing a game of badminton or golf are good examples of fun exercise.

4.  Laugh!  Laughter is healing and a great way to relax.  Go to a comedy club, rent a funny movie, or give that funny friend of yours a call.   It’s impossible to really laugh and be tense.

5.  Read.  A good book can take you on a great escape.  Read a comedy or a tearjerker and it will help release pent-up emotions.

6.  Take a bath.  Spend at least 30 minutes soaking in a hot bubble bath.  Prior to slipping into the tub, light a few candles and play some very relaxing music.

7.  Eat well.  Try to eat a well-balanced diet, as it will help your body to perform, and keep your mind functioning optimally.

8.  Do something you love to do.  If you like to go to the beach, go.

Gardening, kayaking, seeing friends, playing with a puppy, these are all wonderful ways to relax your emotions.

9.  Talk.  Take time to talk with a friend or relative.  Try to express feelings that you may have been holding inside.  Listen to your partner.  Try to have this conversation while walking in a quiet park or neighborhood.

10.  Get a massage.  A massage is a wonderful way to get rid of physical tension.  30 minutes to an hour will work wonders.  Do not be shy about your body.  Professional masseuses have seen body types of all kinds, and they are there to help. Request specific areas of tension, such as the neck or lower back.

Keep in mind these are just a few of the many stress reducers you can try.  Alcohol and drugs are a “temporary” fix and will take you down ultimately, and even cause depression!  Do yourself a favor and begin now.

Close your eyes.  Breathe in deeply and slowly exhale.  You are the only one who can help you, so get to it and create a wonderful day!

People think of stress as “pressure” or “tension”.  I like to think of stress as being just the way we respond to change!  When you understand stress and the effects that it can have on you, you can use it to your own advantage, and turn potential “stressors” into “positive challenges.”

Positive and Negative

Most people equate stressors, or things that cause stress, as negative.  The instigator could be traffic, a difficult job, or divorce.  During theses stressful times, often people become aware of tense muscles, headaches, or stomach aches during, before or after such situations.

But stressors can also be very positive experiences.  Having a wedding, a baby, or pitching a perfect no-hit baseball game are examples of changes that can activate your stress response.

The Mechanics of Stress

Your body reacts to stress in many ways.  Stress is defined as a response by your body to any demand made upon it.

Hormones, like adrenalin, surge.  Your blood pressure and heartbeat increases.  These effects on human beings have been unchanged for thousands of years.  Our prehistoric ancestors used this response to help them run away faster, or fight harder.  That is why this reaction is known as the “fight or flight” response.  It is a natural response when your mind senses the need

The Effects of Stress

The problem with this automatic response is that the body can’t tell the difference between a positive or negative stressor.  In either case, your body experiences the same stress effects.

If you are not able to vent by letting off steam somehow, if you don’t learn to relax, these effects can be harmful.  During periods of stress you may feel exhausted or anxious.  You may experience physical symptoms such as a clenched jaw or shoulder and backache.

If you are able, during these times, take care by getting plenty of rest, eating healthily, exercising and practicing some form of meditation or quiet time.

Alcohol or drugs do not help the situation.

If you are someplace where you are unable to practice the techniques listed above, FOR YOUR SAKE, use your oxygen as a magical and secret weapon.  Breathe deeply and exhale slowly and fully.  When stress enters we withdraw our oxygen supply to a minimum.  This exasperates the tightening of muscles and ligaments.  It can cause headaches, and only makes the situation much worse

Think of your oxygen relaxing and regenerating you.  Know that the oxygen will make your intellect finer.  These are changes that happen to the human body, automatically, just by breathing mindfully.

Stress is like a body temperature; if it’s too low or to high, you can’t survive optimally, but the right balance can keep you going strong.  Consider life’s stressors challenges, experiences and wisdom builders.

You can use this mindful breathing even when you are not feeling overwhelmed. Now take a breath and have a wonderful day!

It’s easy to get caught up in all the negativity!  The Tip?

DON’T DO IT!  REFUSE!

CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE AND CHANGE THE MOMENT

Attitude has been described as “the presence of a hypothetical construct that represents an individual’s degree of like or dislike for a specific target.”

It is actually a personal perspective that can be positive or negative.  Negativity is harmful and definitely not in the realm of being optimistic.  You cannot have a negative attitude without feeling your stress increase. Negativity opens the door for failure.

CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE AND CHANGE THE MOMENT

Our attitude also drives the behavior of our body language. This obvious outward show of our mental attitude is a direct result of either positive or negative thoughts.

One wonderful thing about being a human being is that no matter what the circumstance, we always have a choice in how to respond.

The trick is do not REACT – take a breath and feed your intellect so you will make a better choice in your response. You will also find that if YOU take charge of your “attitude” about any situation, you will be empowered.

CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE AND CHANGE THE MOMENT

Life is just too short to waste a moment being a sour ball. We all have problems. I am no exception. If it’s not a financial problem, health problem, family problem, car problem, or work problem, then it may be a neighbor problem, etc. etc. etc. So what is your choice when problems arrive?

You can opt to be miserable.  Or you can remember to practice thinking in positive terms and remembering that life is about change.  Just when you think you can’t take any more, something changes.

Take a breath.

CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE AND CHANGE THE MOMENT

Remember, it’s your life, so don’t let life’s challenges steal  a moment from you. Don’t let life pass you by while you sink in an ocean of stress.

Start now.

CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE AND CHANGE THE MOMENT

Take a breath, and when you exhale, let all the problems fly out your fingertips. Do it again. YOU WILL BE IN CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE AND YOUR RESPONSE TO LIFE, if you JUST PRACTICE being in charge!

An Old Russian proverb says that repetition is the mother of all learning.  Five times throughout this article you have been reminded through repetition to: CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE AND CHANGE THE MOMENT.

Your amazing brain has begun to create new brain cell impressions and the next time a scenario arises that asks for

“attitude”, you will remember how you can take charge of the moment by recalling this simple statement.

CREATE a wonderful day!

Our human body is truly magical.  In many instances,  it can be self-healing, if we only take the time to learn some basic facts.

For instance, did you know that a complex part of our brain called the autonomic nervous system prepares our body when stress enters a scenario?

You’ve probably heard of it.  It’s called the “fight or flight” response.  You’ve probably experienced it.  Most humans have experienced it and some, people many times.

Here is the magical part.  Without you even realizing it your body prepares for danger by slowing digestion so that blood may be directed to the muscles and the brain.  In the face of potential danger it is more important to be alert and strong than for food to digest.  It’s automatic!

Your breathing gets faster to supply more oxygen for the muscles.  The heart speeds up; blood pressure soars and forces blood to part of the body that needs it.  (Remember your heart beginning to pound faster when you are stressed?)

Perspiration increases to cool the body.  This allows you to burn more energy.  Muscles tense and prepare for action.  All this is done automatically!

Chemicals are released to make your blood clot more rapidly.  If you are injured this clotting can reduce blood loss.  Sugars and fats pour into the blood to provide fuel for quick energy.

This “body magic” is done automatically for you when stress enters, when you are injured, or fearful.  The reaction can be invaluable for survival in critical situations.

The problem that can occur with this automatic magic is that if it happens too often, it can take a serious toll on your body, mind, and your spirit!  You don’t want to “wear out” your body before it’s time!

This is one of the important reasons to learn to recognize and manage stress.  It will put you in charge of your own life, and you will learn other methods to address the majority of stressors.

BEGIN NOW by taking in a deep inhalation through the nose. Visualize it traveling to your brain and through your body.   Now exhale through the mouth slowly. When you inhale remember that when you keep breathing in a stressful situation, you are empowering yourself.  You will stay more relaxed, think optimally, and give yourself a chance to respond instead of reacting to a circumstance. You will keep the body from automatically going into “fight or flight” unnecessarily.

Take another mindful breath.  Hold it a few seconds, and now exhale.  When you exhale remember it is a mind housekeeping tactic to visualize all the negativity flying from your mouth into oblivion (also clearing the carbon dioxide to make room for more oxygen.)

You can learn through, exercising your mind, to slow your breathing, calm your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, and relax those muscles, which in turn will allow you to make the best choices possible for the scenario you face.

Please inhale slowly and deeply.  Hold it a few more seconds, and now exhale through the mouth.  Use this secret weapon whenever needed. It’s readily available, the only cost is your thought process, and it WORKS beautifully!

No matter what the circumstance, you always have a choice how to respond.  Use your oxygen before speaking and it will enable you to respond intellectually instead of simply emotionally.  A fine mix of the two will offer any scenario a better result.

Create a wonderful day.