Got Stress?

Have you noticed how much more stressed people have become over the years? They are quick to anger and express frustration at every turn. The volatile economy and other issues are taking a toll.

Here's an example from my life. A lady inquired about one of my e-books. "How many pages are in it?" she asked.  Without waiting for me to respond, she placed the order and then was extremely angry and demanded a refund because it wasn't what she was expecting. Actually, as she admitted the next day in another email, it's more about content and less about the volume of information. But that was after she'd taken time to reflect, calm down and consider her response.

My part in all of this was to give her time in which to do that. Rather than reacting with a similar anger, I kept breathing in and out and waited. The end result is a win-win outcome. She is much more empowered by coming to the awareness about content without any input from me.

I spend quite a bit of time every week making sure that I can return to my calm center when I need to. Here are the tools that I use: self hypnosis/meditation, walking outdoors in nature, EFT, and, more recently, chair yoga. (I have a great chair yoga DVD. Check it out at www.agelessyoga.org)

Laughter is also a great method for stress reduction. Have you noticed how often children laugh? It's one of the most beautiful sounds on the planet. We might want to join them! It's not what happens to us that matters. It's how we respond to what happens.

Here is an easy way to reduce your stress. Since your subconscious mind has nothing to do while your conscious mind sleeps send it in a positive direction. As you drift off to sleep at night hold a positive thought in your mind, such as "I am calm, relaxed and energized when I wake up."  Do this for seven consecutive nights and notice how you feel when you awaken.