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15 Tips for Minimizing Stress
While stress (the type that spurs us on to complete projects and motivate us to the finish line) is a natural and often beneficial part of our lives, we can learn to minimize small day-to-day stresses that can create major frustrations in our lives. Recreational therapist, Cathy Allen, CTRS, says that too much stress can be harmful, making you sick and irrational (no, not me!). In my coaching practice, I see that even though exercise can help reduce and manage stress, stress is often an inhibitor to actually doing the exercise. In an interview, Ms. Allen shares 15 tips for minimizing stress (including, of course, exercise!):
- Wake up fifteen minutes earlier in the morning to avoid running late throughout your day.
- Practice preventive maintenance on your car, appliances, and home (things seem to "fall apart" at the worst time).
- Be prepared to wait: a magazine or book can make a wait in a line or at the doctor's office tolerable and almost pleasant.
- Prepare and plan ahead: fill the gas tank before it nears empty, and buy postage stamps before you are running low.
- Count your blessings: for every one thing that goes wrong, there are probably ten blessings.
- Say "No!" to extra projects, social activities, and invitations you know you don't have the time or energy for.
- Surround yourself with non-worriers: when you associate with chronic worrywarts you too will worry more frequently.
- Be body wise: eat a well balanced diet, exercise, and get enough sleep.
- Discussing your problems with a trusted friend or family member can help clear your mind of confusion.
- Do something kind and helpful for somebody else.
- Eliminate destructive self-talk, such as "I'm too old to..." "I'm too tired to..." etc.
- Use your weekend for a change of pace. If your workweek is slow and patterned, add action and spontaneity into your weekends. If your workweek is fast-paced and full of people and deadlines, seek peace and solitude during your days off.
- Everyday allow yourself "free" time for privacy, quiet, leisure, and relaxation.
- Remember to take your lunch break. Get away from your desk or workspace even if it's for 15 or 20 minutes.
- Be optimistic - hold a forgiving view of events and people. Accept that we live in an imperfect world and that most people are doing the best they can.
- Bonnie
