Is STRESS taking over your life?

Every one of us can get dragged down from time to time into the pit of stress and worry from all sorts of things going on in our lives.  Sometimes it’s our job that’s causing us stress; sometimes it’s our family responsibilities, a relationship, school or the worry of a loved one. Whatever the source, it can become quite debilitating and down right unhealthy for us if we aren’t taking proper care of ourselves both emotionally and physically.  It can lead to an emotional breakdown or a physical illness.

Stress can cause us to become irritable with those around us without much provoking.  It can cause us to make irrational or rash decisions or become so indecisive and unpredictable that our relationships with those we love most are jeopardized.  Stress can affect sleep making us more tired and lacking in the energy we need to just get through a day.  Stress can affect our ability to handle everyday situations that normally wouldn’t be a problem by making us feel like we are in constant overload.  Life can feel like a catastrophe and everyone in it can be a trigger like the neighbor’s barky dog or the little old lady in front of you at the grocery store who is fumbling for her money and chatting with the cashier as she scrambles for the right amount of change. These little nuisances can become big headaches and grounds for teeth clenching anger. Stress can also cause uncontrollable sadness.  We can become defensive and easily offended.  Our ability to remain stable is hampered.

Does some of this describe you?

Would you like to feel more at peace? 

Would you like to feel more in control of your emotions? 

Would you like to feel more rested and energized each day? 

Would you like to feel more in control of your schedule or your life? 

If you said, “yes” to any of these questions, you’re not alone. 

So how can we eliminate the stress in our lives?

Here’s a few tips that do work if you give them a chance:

1. REDUCE YOUR COMMITMENTS!  Have you over-scheduled yourself?  Have your over committed and said “yes” to things you should have said “no thank you” to?  You are the only one in control of your schedule.  So, it’s up to you to commit to the things that will bring you the most joy or at the very least to only commit to what you know you can safely handle.  It’s time to say “no” and let go!

2. CREATE SPACE FOR PEACE - Peace has a hard time existing in a world where worry and stress dominate.  Your schedule needs to include time for it.  Making time for yourself is essential.  I don’t mean time for more work or more commitments.  I mean quiet time for meditation or prayer.  For a relaxing bath, a refreshing walk or just putting your feet up for a short nap. Taking a few minutes out the day to practice gratitude will also get your focus onto a more positive path.  You will start to see the blessings in your life and peace will enter. 

3. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVE PEOPLE - There’s nothing more stressful than being with negative people or needy, selfish people or people who have no compassion.  Look to surround yourself with people who can lift your spirits and who you feel have a calming effect on you and who can help you in times of need.  People who you respect to give you good advice and perspective.

4. ASK FOR HELP - Are you stubbornly trying to do everything on your own?  Is it your way or the highway?  Surprise – but you are causing your own stress!  If we were meant to do it all on our own then why are we here on this planet with so many other people?  There are so many people who are called in this life to help others.  They have the capacity and joy to do this.  Sometimes it’s a friend or family member.  Sometimes it’s a stranger with a unique ability to relieve the stress in your life, like a house cleaning service, a councillor, or a daycare center for the mom who needs a break.  It can be a financial advisor for the person who has money stresses.  Maybe it’s asking your boss to reduce your hours or letting him or her know you need a day off.  If you don’t ask you won’t receive relief!  Stop trying to handle everything on your own!

5. MAKE A NEEDED CHANGE - Sometimes we need to dig deep and reveal the source of our stress.  When we do this, we can often reveal the actions we need to take in our lives to reduce our stress.  Sometimes this is hard because it may involve scary moves like ending a toxic relationship, leaving a job or standing up for yourself in a situation that is causing you stress.  It can also mean letting go of your own ideals and giving up control.  Sometimes our own strongholds and attitudes need to change.  Sometimes our priorities are mixed up and we need to revisit what is truly important to us in this life.  What changes do you need to make to relieve your stress?

6. SPEAK ABOUT YOUR IDEAL LIFE - Maybe you don’t have the ideal situation or life, but rather than stating and focusing on that, why not start talking about the life you do want?  Even if you don’t “feel” good your words can be healing and you can pull your energy away from stress and stressful situations by having better thoughts.  Often, it’s our thoughts and emotions about things that cause us undue stress.  Change them and start thinking and speaking about things that may not exist yet as if they do.  What is your ideal job?  What is your ideal relationship? What is your ideal home?  What is your ideal day?  What steps can you take to make your ideal life?

7. TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY - When we are stressed we often forget or ignore our body’s needs.  A healthy body needs rest, exercise, water and healthy food.  Pretty simple huh?  Not when we are stressed.  Get off the couch, go to bed at decent hour each night and toss the potato chips in the trash!  None of those things will help you if you are trying to reduce your stress.

8. DO SOMETHING FUN!  If you feel stuck in your stress pit then it may be time to have some fun.  Laughter never added stress to anyone’s life and a little comedy can pull you away from your stress long enough to see that life doesn’t have to be so serious all the time.  Even under great stress we can find relief in a laugh.  Maybe for your it’s seeing a funny movie, maybe it’s hanging out with a funny friend or playing games with your child.  What can you do to bring some fun into your life?

Stress is often our warning sign that we have taken on too much, that we haven’t paid enough attention to our emotional state, that we have ignored our physical needs for sleep, exercise and proper eating and that we have not allowed the right people to be in our lives helping us and supporting us.  We always have a choice in our attitude and our attitude is often the culprit behind whether or not we will allow stress to dominate and play a role in how we live our lives.  We also have a choice in our own schedules and what we value and make as our priority.  If your priority has become unreasonable then it will no doubt cause stress.

Take time to evaluate your choices and your attitude.  Let this reveal to you where you need to make necessary changes so that you can have a more balanced and peaceful life.

Sheri