Remember, stress is a habit, and to permanently reduce your stress is to create a new set of patterns that helps you feel calm and at peace.
Are you in a stressful situation right now? Perhaps things don't go your way, or you're experiencing an unexpected turn of events that makes you uncomfortable.
Stress is a word that many people I know utter like a mantra. I even heard it from a seven-year-old.
I used to have a love affair with stress. It followed me wherever I went and whatever I did. The source of my anxiety was usually negative thoughts. I always thought negative things and something wrong would happen in my life, so I always felt tiptoeing. I was afraid to make mistakes, fearful of what others will say, afraid to lose what I earned, afraid to be rejected, and worried that I would make someone mad or upset with me. It was a very stressful way of living.
Maybe you are like me before. You feel so much stress because you have certain habits that make you feel that way.
It is vital for you to understand if you're experiencing so much stress right now that stress is a habit that springs from your perception about the things that cause your stress-- your stressors.
Since it is a habit, there are also habits that you can practice right now to reduce your reaction toward your stressors.
When I started to consciously break the habit of stress and replace them with habits that give me peace and tranquility, my love affair with stress was broken. I am happier and healthier.
You may know someone who has better control of their stress. They remain calm and handle stressful situations with grace. Perhaps you want to be like that person you know.
While everyone is unique and has a different ability to deal with stress, you can significantly enhance your skill in staying calm and relaxed in all situations, even when facing stressful situations.
Have better control of yourself with the following strategies.
Practice deep breathing. Before you react to a certain thing, person, or event that triggers your stress, take deep breaths and then go back to your breathing pattern, paying attention and following your breaths. This practice will calm you down. Hence, you can be more proactive in responding to stressful situations.
Respond slowly. The Bible says to be slow to anger. More often, when a person faces a stressful situation, the first response is anger or frustration, which leads to reactive behavior. Maybe you are this person; when you become reactive, you are in danger of worsening the situation and hurting others and yourself, which may cause you regrets. Try to hold your horses. Take a deep breath and count to 10 or to 100 before you respond. In this way, too, you can think of a better way to handle the situation.
Set Your Boundaries and let other people become aware of your boundaries. When you have limits with your time and resources, and others know it, you will cut the chances of others putting you in stressful situations. Being true to yourself and expressing yourself stops other people from doing or asking things from you that you don't like to do or have no time to do. Having no boundaries will put you in a more stressful situation.
If you need help in setting boundaries, read Finding Your Lost Self. This book will give you practical strategies to help you in this area.
Smile and laugh. I grew up in the Philippines. I noticed this with Filipinos; we can always find something to laugh at, even in the worst disaster. Laughter and smiles help lighten the burden you feel and the atmosphere. The good news is you can induce laughter. Try to do fake laughs before you know it; your laughter becomes real.
Visualize. One of the most effective ways to enhance your ability to stay calm in frustrating situations is to visualize yourself being calm. Visualization is the perfect strategy, especially when you anticipate stressful events like confronting your ex (i.e., ex-boyfriend/husband), a co-worker who annoys you, or a friend who betrays you.
Watch your thoughts. Stay in the ZEN. Your thoughts are powerful because they will create emotions and feelings that compel you to act. Watch your thoughts and redirect them immediately when you start thinking negative thoughts.
Practice Prayer and Meditation. These methods are very effective because these practices will help you feel grounded. There is no better way to handle stressful situations than knowing that someone higher than you is assisting and looking after your needs. Research shows that people who pray and meditate are less stressed and calmer.
Establish a deeper relationship with yourself. When you love yourself and make yourself your best friend, you will not subject yourself to anything that will harm you. You will care for yourself and honor your body, mind, and spirit. Hence, you will do what will help you become your best self.
Many of these techniques and ideas are simple; perhaps you know them in your head. However, you only learn something if you do it; practice it every day until it becomes part of you.
Remember, stress is a habit, and to permanently reduce your stress is to create a new set of patterns that helps you feel calm and at peace.
If you want to learn more about creating habits that will help you experience inner peace and happiness beyond measure, read the new book, Finding Your Lost Self. You can get a copy here. Just click the link, and you're on your way to the self you want to wake up each day- a happy, calm, confident, and less stressed you!
God bless you always, and may you always LIVE in the POWER of LOVE!
Please share this blog with your friends, co-workers, and family members who need this message. Thank you so much for reading.