1) Choose to be happy. Worrying is like beating your head against the wall for no reason. It has also been said to be like praying for what you don't want. If you decide ahead of time to be happy, you won't be affected by unforeseen circumstances. Wake up each day and make a conscious choice to have a positive attitude. This is one of the most effective ways to take control of your life.
2) Be grateful for your blessings. Start a gratitude journal, or at least make a list of things that you are thankful for. You more than likely will be pleasantly surprised by all that you have to be joyful about. Those of us in this country with the least, still have much to show gratitude for. Your health and the health of your loved ones is definitely worth being grateful for and may be a good place to start.
3) Take care of yourself. Your body is a temple-treat it as such. Don't let anything harmful into your mind or body. Spend time outdoors, keep yourself hydrated, and eat plenty of natural foods. Exercise regularly and make sure that you get enough rest. Just as important, ensure that you feed your brain with knowledge daily.
4) Take time for yourself. Being selfish isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you don't take the time to rejuvenate yourself first, you won't have anything left to give anyone else. Whatever it is that works for you, fit it into your routine. It could be a certain sport, meditation, yoga, or even just a nice hot bath. Emotional and mental balance can be just as critical as being in good physical condition.
5) Learn to laugh at yourself. If you can't laugh at yourself and admit when you've made a silly mistake, you will end up wasting a lot of energy on defending yourself needlessly. Rather than respecting you, others will be more likely to see you as an ego maniac. It's hard to be comfortable around someone that thinks they can do no wrong.
6) Rise above the drama. There are enough real issues to be concerned about, without creating things to be upset about. So what if someone didn't do things the way that you thought they should?! It takes all different kinds of people to make up this world. Be glad that everyone isn't just like you. That would make for a pretty boring existence.
7) Assume the best about yourself and others. Assuming the best about yourself is another way of saying to love yourself. You deserve to see yourself and others in the best possible light. Don't beat yourself up and don't play the blame game with others. Loving is always worth the risk. It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
8) Forgive immediately and completely-especially yourself. Many say that they will forgive but not forget. That makes for a lot of pretty miserable people. Why on earth would anyone chose to carry around all of that hate and suspicion, when nobody has to.
Disease broken down is dis ease. Harboring resentment is harmful to your well being. Accept your feelings and allow yourself to experience the emotions that come with it. Stuffed emotions will come out when you least expect it and usually in negative ways!
9) Look for the lesson in every situation. We will keep getting presented with the same lesson until we choose to learn it. It is no accident that you seem to have the same problems over and over again. It is because that is what you are choosing, instead of choosing something different-like growing up and learning from it! Don't hesitate to reach out and ask for help if you need it, either. That could very well be a part of your lesson!
10) Serve someone that needs it. No matter how bad you think you have it, there is always someone else that is worse off than you. Take the time to look around and recognize the difference that you can make in someone's life. It might be as simple as merely sharing your time. Loneliness is one of the most painful things that a human being can experience.
Pondering Reducing Stress:
1) How do I feel when I laugh-why wouldn't I want to do it more often?
2) What is it that I enjoy most in life, and am I making time for it?
3) How can I assist others in recognizing and appreciating the lighter side?
Example of Reducing Stress: Hunter "Patch" Adams is someone that understands what it means to lighten up. He realizes that good overall health means more than just treating the physical aspect of life. He's a doctor that was played by Robin Williams in a 1998 movie with his name. He uses humor to help heal the sick along with a combination of many other non conventional and more traditional methods. He even sometimes dresses up as a clown. He founded a free community hospital with the help of his friends. It was called the Gusundheit Institute. A new Gusundheit Institute is currently being built in West Virginia and will be known as the model "happy" hospital. He has also brought his special brand of joy to Russia and Bosnia.
Reducing Stress Quote: "I can think of no better way of redeeming this tragic world today than love and laughter. Too many of the young have forgotten how to laugh, and too many of the elders have forgotten how to love. Would not our lives be lightened if only we could all learn to laugh more easily at ourselves and to love one another." -Theodore Hesburgh
Reducing Stress Challenge: Find someone that is struggling more than you are and offer that person a helping hand or a listening ear.