Stress Reduction

We all experience stress in our lives.  Whether it be work issues, money issues, weight issues, whatever, we all have to deal with it.  It's how you deal with it that is important.   Dealing with stress incorrectly can cause a whole host of health problems.  Ulcers, colon polyps, depression, eating disorders (both over and under eating), all kinds of things.  So how should we deal with stress?

Freak out and run around like a lunatic trying to do everything that we think has to be done NOW?  From personal experience, that doesn't work.  In fact, it makes it worse.  Face it, we're all human.  We can't do everything!  As a type A personality (Read that as VERY Anal Retentive and a Perfectionist), I've had a hard time realizing that and trying to change my ways of thinking and behaving.  So how did I finally do it?   Simple, I learned to relax!

 I know you're laughing, thinking that I didn't learn to relax, I just went crazy.  Well, maybe, but that's beside the point.  I just learned to incorporate some relaxation techniques into my daily routine.  I'm not talking about an hour long Yoga class, although those are great.  I'm not talking about deep meditation for long periods of time, although I think that's great too, if you have the time for it.  I'm talking about quick 1 minute breaks when you need them throughout the day.

 First example, you're stressing at work because you have 15 things to do and only an hour left before you have to leave.  Take your hands off the keyboard, sit up in your chair, close your eyes, and take a few slow, deep breaths.  Don't think about work.  Don't think about what has to be done at home.  Don't think about anything but your breathing.   As you blow out each breath, you blow out a little bit of tension.  After a minute or so you'll feel a lot better and will be able to work on those 15 things with more focus then before, which will make it more likely that you will get them done then if you are trying to do them while stressing about them. 

 Second example, after that hour, you haven't been able to complete but 8 of the 15 things.  Forget about them!  They will still be there tomorrow.  Anytime during your family time that you start to think about the things on your desk that didn't get done that day, do the same deep breathing exercise as above.  Remember, when you die, they aren't going to talk about how you completed every assignment at work during your eulogy.  Focus on what people will remember the most about you, being caring, compassionate, and happy.

Final example, you've just gotten home from work, the kids are screaming, the hubby is hungry, and you have a headache.  Go to your bedroom (or another private area), close the door, and take 5 minutes to stretch.  Make sure it is known that you need 5 minutes ALONE so that they don't interrupt you.  In five minutes, you can do stretches for every body part, just be sure to breath deeply while you're stretching.  Afterwards, you will be better able to cope with the things you have left to do.

I know these sound like little things.  And I'm sure you're skeptical.  But they worked for me.   Try them and see for yourself.