NEW APPROACH TO LIFE

MANAGING STRESS: 5 STEPS FOR A NEW APPROACH TO LIFE

Here is how to practice managing stress in five steps for a happier, healthier and better you.

1.      EXPECT IT. Managing stress properly means being prepared. Take good care of yourself. You never know what the day will bring. Life is an adventure--- approach it as such. Remember the classic example of a guy showing out for girls, saying punch my stomach and see how hard it is? The first blow he doesn’t even flinch (and all are impressed). But then, when distracted, someone else hits him, and he doubles over in pain. What made the difference? The first time he was ready, the second, he was taken off guard.

2.      EMBRACE IT. You need a new attitude towards life, a determined stance to ride the waves of life and succeed through storms. I decided a long ago I would not live a life of regret. Now, as I get ready for the day, I say a prayer for strength to face with confidence what comes my way, and the courage to get help and support when overwhelmed. I embrace the challenge and the unexpected. Like the ocean rip currents, I realize that the more I resist and try to avoid stress, the more exhausted and sucked in I will be.

3.      EVALUATE IT. What pressures occupy your thoughts, consume your energy or cause your grief? Be honest and real with yourself. Remember to consider tendencies such as jealousy, feelings of inferiority or frustration over failures as possible causes for some of your grief (all easily changed through setting goals and having successful positive attitude about yourself). The serenity prayer is a tool used by many people recovering from addictions, but has truths that are treasures for everyone when managing stress.

4.      ENGAGE IT. Now it’s time to take action. The fourth step to managing stress is to engage it. If you can change it, do it now. Procrastination is one of your worst enemies, stealing precious moments of your life. Think of something right now that you are avoiding, that is causing you stress and worry, and that would be a load of your mind---- because it really is!

5.      EMERGE FROM IT. This final step is extremely important. Process the pressure and pain to get through it and emerge successful and free. This requires effort, whether it is to brush off the stress of the day, or to push through the weight of a significant loss. Contrary to the old cliché, time does not heal all wounds. If you are dealing with tragedy or trauma, the event is gone, but it takes time and effort to grieve from the change. The grieving process requires at least two years of working through it to adjust.

Source: http://www.abetteryoublog.com/2006/08/18