Many people are plagued with stress. It seems to be everywhere and no one is exempt.
Whether you are in the workplace, at home or on the farm, at some time stress can cause distraction, short fuses and physical illness.
It is caused by factors that make us feel out of control: change, money, attitude, relationships, time commitments, work and guilt.
But take another look at that list. Some of those items are in your control.
In workshops that I lead, people are amazed to learn how they can take back control of their lives.
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It isn’t always simple, but becoming aware of coping methods can make a world of difference.
People also become aware that different personality temperaments cope differently with stress.
The key to taking back control of your life is really like a key. You need to discover the right combination of healthy choices and activities that will line up like the tumblers in a lock.
“We have to learn to be our own best friends because we will fall too easily into the trap of being our worst enemy.” – Roderick Thorp
There are always people around us who pass judgment, but we are often our own worst critic. Many people, when they reflect on their thoughts, recognize that they are full of negative self-talk. This is destructive to their self esteem and self worth.
Love yourself. Feel proud of your accomplishments. Feel proud of the things that you take for granted that may seem small but are important, things like getting the kids off to school on time or fixing that leaky faucet.
Here are some suggestions for developing a positive mindset:
- Be grateful for all the things in your life, whether it is a faithful dog, food in the fridge or your health.
- Take care of yourself. Schedule small breaks to re-charge. It may feel like you don’t have time to take a break, but consider it an investment in yourself. You can accomplish more after a little rest. Your mind is clearer so fewer mistakes are likely to be made.
- De-clutter. Tidy your work area or home. It is amazing how much better you feel with a clean work environment. Set a little time aside daily to deal with things that are piling up.
- Know your daily biorhythms. Are you a morning person or a night person? Plan your activities around your energy levels and schedule tougher jobs when you are at your peak performance.
- Learn ways to relax: take several deep breaths when you feel stressed; do something that brings you joy; meditate; be grateful; cuddle a pet; read inspirational excerpts; replace negative thoughts with positive ones; change your attitude; be solution oriented and be proactive – don’t just react.
There are proven ways to remain stressed: never exercise; eat poorly; take stimulants; avoid relaxation; get rid of friends; remove humour; become a workaholic; worry about everything and procrastinate.
Life is like a bagel. The longer you take to enjoy it, the harder it gets.
Put sunshine in your life every day regardless of the weather.
Therri Papp is a career development educator offering on-line personal development programs and career consulting to individuals and business groups. For further information call 306-249-4937 or visit www.freeyesinfo.com.
