If you are like me, there is a
lot going on in your life. Stress can really zap you. I do
not find pleasure in taking pills nor do I want to be
medicated. Frankly I am just fed up with feeling crazed! In this
Journey I've discovered some natural ways to remove stress from my life. Remember, there is always a simple natural
alternative. It may be different and take longer to see results, but it’s worth
it. Oh…and did I mention
economical?
11
Natural Ways to Eliminate Stress:
1. Eliminate the effect
of foolishness on your mind. You cannot control people, but you can
control how they affect you. Turn the volume down on the outside
"noise" or mute it altogether. (free)
2.
Pray/meditate. (free)
3. Find ways to RELAX:
bubble baths, massage therapy, aroma therapy. My favorite essential oils
for relaxation are: lavender, chamomile and sage.
4. Have fun! Watch funny
TV shows or movies, go to comedy shows, and hang out with amazingly positive
people who are invested in your well-being.
This means there will be no drama or sharing of conversations with
anyone who has no right to be in your business (!!!). (mostly free)
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Amazing
friends work wonders for eliminating stress
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5. Get involved in
things outside yourself: volunteer for a cause.
Make sure you are helping somebody with something EVERYDAY. (could be
free)
6. Re-awaken the hobbies
or activities you REALLY ENJOY. Reading,
crafts, travel, etc.
7.
Get in the gym or on
the track, trail, tennis court, kick ball field, or roller skating rink…. and
work it out! Allow your body to release
endorphins that will put some pep in your step and calm your nerves.
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Cricket???
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8. Don’t let your undies
get in a bunch and don’t sweat the small stuff.
If your undies are always bunched up or you find yourself sweating too
much….evaluate how you are reacting to people and situations around you. I consider myself a “reactor”. I react in some way shape or form (internally
or externally to EVERYTHING). I am
learning to TRULY pick my battles and to be less reactive. Thank you Lord! It’s so much easier this way. I feel more balanced. You will still have to address pertinent
issues…but the situations will be more controlled. (free)
9. Eliminate/Manage stress factors: You know what the stress factors are in your life. I know what mine are, and I have to
manage them in order to be sane. (free) Some examples include:
Crazy
drama filled friends – who needs the extra drama? Just watch SCANDAL J
Pressure
from work - set boundaries so you don’t lose your mind or over commit.
Hyper
children - do not feed them any sugar, make sure they have a well-balanced diet
and are in bed as early as possible.
That leaves more down time for you and provides an opportunity to get
other things done.
10. EAT
GOOD, NOURISHING FOOD. This tip is in
capital letters because we don’t realize how important our diet is to our
emotional and mental health. We overlook
what we put in our mouths and focus on the external stress factors. Eating well
will help. Stress is an emotional
reaction and can manifest in the physical and mental arenas of our lives.
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An
apple a day keeps the stress away (Robert Couse-Baker)
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Too much refined
sugar, caffeine, salt and dead food puts us on a mood swing roller coaster and
does not provide the nourishment our minds and bodies need to be strong, quick and sharp.
11. Get plenty of rest.
This is something I am still struggling with. When I do sleep well I can tell the
difference! (free)
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Sleep
is good for the soul!
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The
story behind the 11:
I thought I
knew what stress was when attending graduate school... I soon realized graduate
school was a Ferris wheel ride compared
to the world of the working woman. A few
years after starting my career I got married and was pregnant within six weeks.
I went back to work after 3.5 months of maternity leave and a year after
returning I switched jobs to a more high paced, demanding role!!
I was
OVERWHELMED!
I was also depressed
(not really understanding depression) because I was not dealing with
the new stress factors in my life very
well. New trying times call for new coping skills...I was using the old
coping skills for new situations....It was not working!
There were health
issues with my son, relationship issues with those surrounding me, and I felt
so alone! I began to isolate myself in the name of peace/security but that was
in vain and added to my strife, stress and anxiety.
Slowly but surely I
began to "wake up". I began to get involved in church
activities again, I started exercising on a regular basis, eating
better, I started working smarter on the job, re-awakened my artistic desires
and dreams, and best of all started listening to God. God is awesome and is
always there to provide a positive/secure alternative.
I’m starting to
realize my life's purpose...and that is because of this journey (even the
unbearable parts). Thankfully the stress laden activities have become
less impactful.
What tips can you
apply to your life??
Let me know what your
experiences have been with coping with stress.
Peace and blessings!
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