Another Important Recipe

Allow me to share with you another recipe for improving your life by reducing some of the stress in it. Stress is inevitable, especially when you have young children. Some stress is good – eustress. We want to work at keeping bad stress – DIStress at bay. It not only makes us feel bad, it often creates major health issues.

Nine months ago I had reduced a major source of stress in my life when the program for which I worked was eliminated. After five months of looking for a job, I made the decision to accept the retirement for which I was quite a few years beyond qualifying. Amazingly, my next medical visit showed my blood pressure back to normal, blood sugar levels within the norm, healthy weight loss, improved sleep…you get the picture.

Clearly, retirement isn’t an option for everyone. But there are definitely steps you can take now to reduce the stress so that it doesn’t turn into distress.

Ten Tips to Tame Tension

1. You can’t change the world, but you CAN change your attitude. Don’t waste energy on things for which you have no control.

2. Stop worrying and start thinking. Give yourself mini-breaks from worry. You may find, in that time, a solution to one of the things creating your stress.

3. Be careful not to talk bad about yourself to yourself. Lift yourself up!

4. Create a vision for your future. Plan it. Life’s your canvas, paint a masterpiece!

5. Make a list. Write down what’s needed, or what’s to be done. Gain strength as you see those items get crossed off your list.

6. Scrutinize your financial picture. When you take control, you make good things happen. Put yourself in the driver’s seat!

7. Always seek the highest and best purpose in all you do. Problems tend to pass. Celebrate the good in yourself and others. Find ways to express it and help others do the same.

8. Try to avoid negativity and criticism. What others say about you is none of your business. Your job is to be your best.

9. Being your best is a reasonable goal, trying to be perfect is asking for trouble. Even Jesus Christ asks only that we do our best.

10. Laugh, love, and give more. Choose the life you wish to live without apology. Open yourself to more joy and satisfaction by what you do for others. Each day is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present!

A good recipe for reducing stress:

• Focus your energy on the things you can control.
• Don’t avoid problems, solve them.
• Think positively, plan confidently, and take action.
• Get organized.
• Always do your best, but don’t expect perfection from yourself.
• Avoid negative, critical people.
• Make time for joy! Happy Parenting! (Inspired by Lifetimetv.com)

© 2014 Brenda Holland-Robinson