Over the past six months, I have been giving seminars focusing on ways to help people handle effectively the stresses in their personal and professional lives. Many of them are care givers and teach their clients how to build a happy and contented life. Yet they themselves voice that they are not following what they advocate. In other words, it’s easier said than done.
This seems to be the case in all of our lives. Where ever we are, stress certainly plays a role in today’s society. Now there are normal stresses of course! I am focusing on the kind that we can eliminate to make our daily lives richer and fuller.
What have you done in the past to relieve this type of stress? We are told that within each of us there is a solution to a problem we are facing. Sometimes it just means becoming aware of what we already know. We may even overlook it because it is so familiar to us.
Let’s take a look at the Stop, Look and Listen technique that we automatically use when crossing the street.
STOP
1. First of all, set aside some time to think about what you need to do to lower your stress level. You may say that you have all the time in the world to do that and you just can't think. Then just be…
Look at a rose or think of a favorite scene or happy memory.
2. Next, reflect on your present situation to see what you can or cannot change. Write down what is bothering you the most and causing the stress. When you do this, you may realize that you manage your situation very well because of the support you have. Just doing that helps you feel better.
3. Thirdly, name the feelings that arise as a result of your situation. If the feelings of anger, helplessness and hopelessness are overwhelming, you may need to talk to someone who can help you sort through them. To help you get past that stumbling block, calling a friend or perhaps listening to a calming CD may help. You may find that my CD called Quest for Happiness- Relaxation Techniques may be helpful to you at this time. There are twelve separate relaxation techniques on the CD itself, and it is designed specifically with the intention to help people like you alleviate some of the stresses you may be feeling.
LOOK
4. Think of a past situation where you were successful in a stressful situation? What worked for you? Could you use the same techniques again or would you look for new ones? Keep it simple.
LISTEN
5. Listen to your inner being - your intuition, to make life beautiful for you. Looking after yourself could be as simple as deciding to walk each day for thirty minutes, join a fitness club, a swimming class or a yoga class. Try something new to take care of your physical well being.
6. Plan daily to spend some time listening to a relaxing tape or reading something inspirational. You can choose to share that time and inspiration with a family member or friend. Laugh daily. This will help your emotional health.
7. List the talents you have. Are you interested in painting, photography or crafts? Would you like to join a book club, or a quilting bee? What gives you joy?
8. Count your daily successes and the gifts in your life. Speak of them to your family and friends.
What I have outlined for you in this section is my FTA Approach; Feel, Think and Act. My book, Quest for Happiness Handling Difficult Relationships Using the FTA Approach gives you greater detail and strategies to use this approach in handling the stresses in your personal and professional life. While it focuses on difficult relationships, the method can be applied to any other aspect of your life. In this case, working on relieving the stresses you are undergoing.
Remember that there are many ways to create a stress free lifestyle. I hope my suggestions are a helpful. In your healing, be creative and look after yourself! You are worth it!
Until the next time, assess your situation and give yourself permission to care for yourself in a healthy and happy way! Have fun doing it!
Bride
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