How Can I Reduce My Stress ?

We all have stress in our lives.  I've heard it said that 'when we run out of stress we die' so I would argue that there is some benefit to having some stress each day.  But how much stress we have and how much stress we need to have will change over time.

To the question posed in the post title ... wouldn't it be great if we could reduce our stress by making a few small and simple changes?

I suggest that it is in very fact the small and simple decisions WE make each day that leads to our larger than preferred levels of stress.  And a simple way to change this would be to 'just say no.'  Not to drugs (although that's good advice too!) but to additional responsibilities and things to do.

Most people resist saying 'No' when asked for help, but the reasons why vary from person to person and are often situational.  Learning to say 'No' (especially to yourself) is an arguably simple task we can do which will greatly reduce our stress.

Think about it ... what stresses you most?  Completing commitments you have made at some previous point in time.  Little children don't have stress because they don't have any commitments.  You can't live like a child all the time (bills need to be paid, etc.) but you can limit your promises to complete tasks or assignments.  Pick the most important things and commit fully to those.  Then just say no to as many of the extra requests you receive.  Try it for a week.  You may be surprised how much your stress dissipates.

Song Of The Day:
Two versions of the same song here today so you have options and can listen to your favorite again and again.  "Brave" originally sung by Josh Groban has been covered in solo acapella fashion by the equally talented Peter Hollens.So my challenge to you is to be "Brave" this week and just say no to some unnecessary extra stressors this week.  You'll be glad you did!

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How Do You Deal With Stress ?

I believe we all have our own ways to cope with stress in our lives.  We are most likely to identify our own process when unexpected stress rears it's ugly head.  This happened to me today when my barely 2-months old child (Spencer) had to go to the ER and is now staying overnight at the hospital with RSV.  Bless my awesome wife for staying with him, knowing she will get very little "rest."  So how do I deal with this stress?  Here are some thoughts ...

Some people cry.  Some people get angry.  Some people eat more.  Some people stop eating altogether.  Some people seek comfort in the presence of other people.  Some people seek to be alone with their thoughts.  Some people listen to music.  Some people read.  Some people disappear into online games.  Some people sleep.  Some people find busy work to keep their mind off the things that are stressing them.  Some people make lists of what they need to do.  Some people pray for guidance.  Some people phone a friend.  Some people watch TV or a movie.  Some people write their feelings (good, bad, angry, sad, etc.) in a journal or blog.  Some people exercise.

Whatever your method, may I offer one piece of advice?  Make sure it doesn't add to your stress after you are done ... otherwise, you're not coping or recovering, you are procrastinating ... and that virtually never turns out better.

BTW ... I think my method of coping is to offer unsolicited advice.  :)

Song Of The Day:
I also like to use music as a means to shift my stressful feelings into more action-oriented solutions.  Music can change your mood and can inspire you to overcome challenges you face.  When it feels chaotic for me, I really enjoy some Enya.  She has plenty of good tunes to choose from (although critics say it all eventually sounds the same).  One of my favorite, uplifting songs is "Fairytale" which is a relatively simple melody, but it always soothes me and takes me to a happy place.

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