When was the last time your stress level topped the charts? What triggered it? For some it was a financial hardship; for others, a fight with your significant other. And then there are those who experience high levels of stress each and every time they take to the road. While we can’t always control the factors that bring on stress, we can certainly control the ways in which we react. The key to managing stress is understanding that stress is entirely a function of how we interpret events. We, as individuals, have the power to determine to what extent we will experience stress, or whether we will experience it at all.
The next time you feel like pulling your hair out, take a time-out and try one of these simple, yet effective ways to reduce stress and renew your energy on a daily basis:
1. Start the day out right.
Most of us get so caught up in our fast-paced lives that we forget to take time out for ourselves. Combat natural stresses inherent in this lifestyle by creating a ritual that makes you focus on what you want instead of what you fear—a ritual referred to as your Hour of Power.
Keep your shoes by your bed and hit the ground moving to turn on your body and mind each morning. Start with some deep breathing, followed by a brisk walk to release the stress your body has built up. As you move, consciously cultivate the emotions in prayer that will give you an extraordinary life: gratitude, excitement about your future, or even compassion for those who may not be supporting you.
Make your Hour of Power a priority as it will automatically set a positive, energetic tone for the day ahead!
2. Change your posture to improve your mood.
This may sound simple, but it works. At any given time, our physiology dictates our psychology. Think about the ways in which your body conveys a bad mood: your feet drag, your head hangs, your shoulders hunch forward, and your breathing becomes shallower.
On the other hand, by lifting your body—raising your shoulders and head, focusing on expanding your diaphragm so you can breathe more deeply, looking ahead rather than down—you eliminate undue stress, and your spirits will quickly improve.
4. Focus on what you can control.
The ultimate waste of time is devoting your thoughts, your focus, and your emotions to circumstances beyond your control. While you can influence many events and maybe even control some, the only thing you have absolute control over is your own response to what happens.
In other words, you can always control what things mean to you, so you may potentially turn stressful events into positive outcomes. Simply being aware of this power affords you a more relaxed and fulfilling existence.
5. Develop an attitude of gratitude.
Embracing gratitude is the only way you will be truly fulfilled. When you are grateful, you cannot be depressed, angry or fearful because your focus is on the many ways in which your life is blessed. Each day, ask yourself “What am I grateful for today?” Think and feel your answer for 10 or 15 days to get yourself moving in the right direction