Now that we have entered spring time, it seems as though there are even more things on our plates to get done every day. Stress Management is a term that is widely used and everyone has advice on how to deal with stress. If you are feeling stressed this week, I challenge you to think about Control, and how much Control do you really have over your stress level. The simple realization that we are in control of our life is the foundation of stress management
At times it seems as though there’s nothing we can do about our stress level. The bills aren’t going to stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day for all of our errands, and our career or family responsibilities will always be demanding. But each one of us has a lot more control than we might think.
It’s time to take charge of your life. Managing stress is all about taking charge: taking charge of your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, your environment, and the way you deal with problems. Creating a balance life is the ultimate goal, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun – plus the resilience to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on.
Here are 5 top ways you can distress your life this week:
- Practice saying “no” – Know your limits and stick to them.
- Avoid people who bring stress to your life – If someone consistently causes stress, attempt to turn the relationship around, limit the amount of time you spend with that person or end the relationship entirely.
- Control your environment – Create a place of calm and peace in your home, and step away from being connected 24 hours/7 days a week.
- Avoid hot-button topics – If you get upset over religion or politics, cross them off your conversation list.
- Pare down your to-do list – If you’ve got too much on your plate, distinguish between the “shoulds” and the “musts.” Drop tasks that aren’t truly necessary to the bottom of the list or eliminate them entirely.