7 Tips For Stress Management

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They say there's more than one way to skin a cat. The same applies when you start tearing your hair out with all the frustration, grief, anxiety, and yes, stress.

It's a state of mental conditioning that's like taking that bitter pill down your throat. It causes you to lose your sense of self, and worse, your sanity. Just thinking about it can drive anyone over the edge and out of control.

As one (ex)stressed-out person to another, I know how it feels. Believe me, there are many variants when it comes to stress. Coping with life, and carrying the problems that may or may not belong to you, can whittle away at the little joy and happiness that you carry once you head out that door.

You can't blame people for being like that; they have their own reasons, just like we have our own reasons for allowing stress to weigh us down too.

They say that stress is all in the mind. Ok ... so ... what's bugging you anyway?

There are several ways to manage stress, and eventually remove it from your life. So let's divide it into a seven different processes. I promise it's not going to be too taxing on the body or the mind.

1. Acknowledge that stress is good

Make stress your friend! Based on the body's natural "fight or flight" response, that burst of energy will enhance your performance at the right moment.

I've yet to see a top sportsman totally relaxed before a big competition. Use stress wisely to push yourself that little bit harder when it counts the most.

2. Avoid stress "sneezers"

Stressed people "sneeze" stress germs indiscriminately and before you know it, you're infected too!

Protect yourself by recognizing stress in others and limiting your contact with them.

Remember, in some of my other articles I mentioned getting the negativity out of your life? Disassociate yourself from negative people and things. It won't be easy, but just this one thing alone will relieve a whole pile of stress!

3. Learn from the best

When people around you are losing their head, who keeps calm? What are they doing differently? What is their attitude? What language do they use? Are they trained and experienced?

Figure it out from a distance, or sit them down for a chat. Learn from the best stress managers and copy what they do.

4. Practice socially acceptable heavy breathing

This is something I've learned from a friend of mine who is always at the gym: You can trick your body into relaxing by using heavy breathing.

Breathe in slowly for a count of 7 then breathe out for a count of 11. Repeat the 7-11 breathing until your heart rate slows down, your sweaty palms dry off and things start to feel more normal.

5. Give stressing thoughts the red light

It's possible to tangle yourself up in a stress knot all on your own. "If this happens, then that might happen and then we're all up the creek!"

Most of these things never happen, so why waste all that energy worrying needlessly? Focus on the task at hand, it'll all work out!

Give stress producing thoughts the red light and stop them in their tracks. Ok, so something might go wrong; but how likely is that, and what can you do to prevent it?

Relax and think logically about the situation! If something does happen to go wrong, look at it as a learning experience so it won't happen again!

6. Know your trigger points and hot spots

Presentations, interviews, meetings, giving difficult feedback, tight deadlines; my heart rate increases just writing these down! But they have to be done, so why worry about it? You'll do just fine!

Make your own list of stress trigger points or hot spots. Be specific. Is it only presentations to a certain audience that get you worked up? Does one project cause more stress than another? Did you drink too much coffee (I used to)?

Figure out how you can change these things so they are not a problem and not a cause for worry for you. You'll perform the task better, more professionally and with much greater ease without putting undue burden on yourself.

Knowing what causes you stress is powerful information. If you know the cause of your stress you can take action to make it less intense.

Do you need to learn some new skills? Do you need extra resources? Do you need to switch to decaf (I did and it helped immeasurably)?

7. Burn the candle at one end, not both ends

Lack of sleep, poor diet and no exercise all wreak havoc on our body and mind. Kind of obvious, but worth mentioning as it's often ignored as a stress management technique. Don't burn the candle at both ends; you'll be the one ending up getting burned!

So having stress can be a total drag, but that shouldn't hinder us in finding the inner peace of mind that we've wanted for so long. Learn how to manage your stress and you'll be so much the better for doing it!


As Always ... Make it a GREAT day!

10 Ways To Start Taking Control!

Copyright © Success Network Group
www.SuccessNetworkGroup.com


At first glance, it would seem that positive thinking and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) have nothing to do with one another. But many people with ADD develop negative thinking patterns because they become frustrated by their challenges and frequent feelings of being overwhelmed. This negative outlook then makes it even harder for them to manage those challenges and move forward. This is not just true for people with ADD, but in all of us!

Practicing positive thinking allows people to focus on their strengths and accomplishments, which increases happiness and motivation. This, in turn, allows them to spend more time making progress, and less time feeling down and stuck. The following tips provide practical suggestions that you can use to help you shift into more positive thinking patterns:

1. Take Good Care of Yourself:

It's much easier to be positive when you are eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest.


2. Remind Yourself of the Things You Are Grateful For:

Stresses and challenges don't seem quite as bad when you are constantly reminding yourself of the things that are right in life. Taking just 60 seconds a day to stop and appreciate the good things will make a huge difference.


3. Look for the Proof Instead of Making Assumptions:

A fear of not being liked or accepted sometimes leads us to assume that we know what others are thinking, but our fears are usually not reality. If you have a fear that a friend or family member's bad mood is due to something you did, or that your co-workers are secretly gossiping about you when you turn your back, speak up and ask them. Don't waste time worrying that you did something wrong unless you have proof that there is something to worry about.


4. Refrain from Using Absolutes:

Have you ever told a partner "You're ALWAYS late!" or complained to a friend "You NEVER call me!"? Thinking and speaking in absolutes like 'always' and 'never' makes the situation seem worse than it is, and programs your brain into believing that certain people are incapable of delivering.


5. Detach From Negative Thoughts:

Your thoughts can't hold any power over you if you don't judge them. If you notice yourself having a negative thought, detach from it, witness it, and don't follow it. Think positive thoughts as often as possible!


6. Squash the "ANTs":

In his book "Change Your Brain, Change Your Life," Dr. Daniel Amen talks about "ANTs" - Automatic Negative Thoughts. These are the bad thoughts that are usually reactionary, such as "Those people are laughing, they must be talking about me," or "The boss wants to see me; It must be something bad!" When you notice these thoughts, realize that they are nothing more than ANTs and squash them!


7. Practice Lovin', Touchin' & Squeezin' (Your Friends and Family):

You don't have to be an expert to know the benefits of a good hug. Positive physical contact with friends, loved ones, and even pets, is an instant pick-me-up.

One research study on this subject had a waitress touch some of her customers on the arm as she handed them their checks. She received higher tips from these customers than from the ones she didn't touch!


8. Increase Your Social Activity:

By increasing social activity, you decrease loneliness. Surround yourself with healthy, happy, successful people, and their positive energy will affect you in a positive way!


9. Volunteer for an Organization, or Help Another Person:

Everyone feels good after helping. You can volunteer your time, your money, or your resources. The more positive energy you put out into the world, the more you will receive in return.


10. Use Pattern Interrupts to Combat Rumination:

If you find yourself constantly worrying about everything, a great way to stop it is to interrupt the pattern and force yourself to do something completely different. Rumination is like hyper-focus on something negative. It's never productive, because it's not rational or solution-oriented, it's just excessive worry. Try changing your physical environment - go for a walk or sit outside. You could also call a friend, pick up a book, or turn on some music.


When it comes to the corporate world, following protocol is pretty much the religion. Knowing what needs to be done is the basis of productivity, but interaction and having a steady mind makes for true productivity.

There are those who seem to work well even under pressure, but these people are the minority. We are all human and imperfect. To allow these little things like stress under our skin won't solve our problems. So why worry about it? Take control of yourself and the situations around you; you'll be much better off!


As Always ... Make it a GREAT day!

How Are You Spending Your Dash?

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This is an awesome poem written by Linda Ellis and I just wanted to share it ... if you think about the words and their meaning it really makes you reflect and think about your life ... so enjoy it!

The Dash
By Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning … to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own,
the cars … the house … the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
and more often wear a smile …
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your dash?


As Always ... Make it a GREAT day!

About the Author:

Lou and Robin Bonaventura have been Professional Network Marketers for 4 years. Are you serious about changing your life? Are you motivated and trainable? If so, we want to hear from you right away: request an immediate interview!