Stress Free Living – Creating a Simple Life

Confucius once said, “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”

If you  make life complicated and fill it up with a bunch “stuff,” how can you ever focus on what matters most?

Many of you are running around trying to squeeze everything you can out of life when, in fact, you’d be a whole lot happier and healthier if you would savored the beauty of simplicity!

Here are some tips you can use today to simplify your life:
Clutter. When you eliminate the clutter around you, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the things are dearest to you.

Ask yourself: When was the last time I read the stack of books piled up on the floor? When did I last notice the details on one of those little trinkets I got while on vacation? When did I last wear the scarf lying on the closet floor? Give this stuff to someone who needs it!

De-cluttering will give you an opportunity to enjoy the things that truly matter to you. Plus you’ll feel a sense of relief with an organized working and living space.

Food. Food is another aspect of your life that can be simplified in many ways. Instead of worrying about the next bite, enjoy the taste of the food that’s already in your mouth. Savor it. Let it all sink in and try to taste each flavor.

Also, consider the ingredients in your food. Take the time to use quality ingredients instead of processed or chemically enhanced foods. The end result will taste better, and your body and mind will thank you for the nourishment!

Gadgets. Think of all the gizmos and gadgets in your life. Do you use them all? Do you even use half of them?

The more stuff we have to “connect” us, the more we become disconnected! Take the headphones out of your ears, turn off the car radio, and put down your cell phone. Instead of trying to be always connected, communicate with those around you. Nothing is more satisfying than a rewarding conversation or a family fun night!

Thinking. A cluttered mind steers you away from what’s most important. The reality is that simple ideas are almost always better. By simplifying your thinking, you open your mind to new possibilities.

A simplified mind doesn’t mean you aren’t thinking, it just means that you’re choosing to focus on one thing with greater clarity.

When your attention is split in several directions, it’s awfully hard to make rational decisions. And if you’re dwelling in the past or worrying about the future, how can you live in the moment? Release distractions from your mind and you’ll not only feel better, but you’ll regain a sense of peace within you.

Schedule. If you’re trying to jam a week into a single day, you’ll feel a tension that will tug you away from where you’re meant to be. Instead of wondering what’s next, savor the here and now.
Eliminate some of the clutter in your hectic schedule and do what’s best for you and your family, not everyone else.

Living simply is much easier then you think When you simplify, you eliminate many of the useless cares and are able to focus on what’s really important to you. Give it a try!

Stress Free Living De-Stressology Tip – Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Have you ever thought about if there’s  a better way to do what you’re currently doing?  Maybe a way to enhance your results.  Don’t be afraid to ask those who have done it before you.  Almost everyone is happy to help.  But they’re not going to know what you don’t know if you don’t ask.  So don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Stress Free Living – Discover How to Calm Your Mind

You wake up, it’s the middle of the night, you’re not even sure what woke you all you know is suddenly, you feel frantic, unsettled, about something that need to be done in the morning.  Are you ever unsure about where to start because you have so much to do and no time to get it done?

Everyone has these feelings from time to time, but you can learn to calm your mind. A calm mind is a more attentive and proactive mind, and in learning to remove anxious thoughts, you can learn to enjoy your life far more than you already do!

How to Achieve Peace Within

When you have a mind that will not stop, you usually are hard-pressed to find inner peace. The more your mind races, the more anxious and frustrated you may become, and this can lead to unproductive days, weeks, and even months. You don’t have to continue to live this way. There are many ways to calm your overactive mind and you really can learn how to live a more calm and peaceful life.

If your mind starts running a million miles a minute and you’re not sure which way to turn next, try to pause and repeat a positive affirmation. When you use the power of positive self-talk, you will program your mind to work in a new and different way.

When things seem as if they are getting out of hand, you can use an affirmation such as, “I trust my ability to relax. I am calm and peaceful.” Although this may not be the case at the moment, if you repeat this constantly you will start to believe it. This will help you change your inner dialogue in those moments when you are tempted to succumb to the craziness surrounding you.

Positive affirmations are important because they give you permission to turn off the negative self talk in your mind and replace it with positive thoughts. The negative self talk feeds the feelings of confusion, and when you replace them with peaceful affirmations, you change your life, one positive statement at a time.

If you have a hard time believing that this strategy will work for you, give it a try with an open heart and mind. It really does work!  In no time at all, you’ll feel more peaceful and reap the benefits in every area of your life.

Many of us feel like we cannot do anything about the crazy lives we lead and the inner discontent we feel. I can assure you that this is not true! When you use positive affirmations, you can reprogram your brain so that there is only room for positive thoughts. You just might be  amazed  to find how quickly a positive affirmation such as, “I believe that there’s a plan for my life, even if it hasn’t been  revealed to me” can work for you.

If you feel like your life has gotten off course and you don’t think it’s possible to lead a calm life, why not give a peaceful affirmation a chance?  If you repeat affirmations often enough, you’ll soon begin to believe them, and you’ll turn a seemingly simple statement into reality.

Stress Free Living De-Stressology Tip – The Secret

Discovering the secret is not for everyone.  Not every one even believes me when I tell them the secret, it’s much easier not to.  Come closer and I’ll whisper it in your ear You control your own future.  Now I hope you heard me because it’s the truth believe it or not.  So if you want to improve you life try looking through a few meditation books which can you relieve your own mind.

Stress Free Living De-Stressology Tip – Procrastination begins and ends with YOU

“I work better under pressure”, “I’ll wait until I understand everything before I start,” are the words of a procrastinator.    On the surface it may appear you’re just lazy.  But there’s a more serious reason to procrastination just below the surface.  It could be perfectionism, fear, or feeling overwhelmed.  Whatever the cause the outcome can’t be good.  In part you procrastination is a choice.  The first step is to accept it and the second is to decide to do something about it.

Stress Management – I Want An Attitude Adjustment

Negativity is a huge drain on our energy and only gets worse  when we’re stressed.  So what’s your attitude?  Is the glass half empty or half full. Do you see the downside or upside first. 

Being negative is a habit often brought on by past suffering and situations that significantly effects the way we feel.   But it can stop now. Even in suffering, you don’t have to be negative.  What’s the difference? Attitude! 

How do you change your negative attitude? First, become aware when your negative.  This may be easier said then done especially if you’ve sent a lot of your time feeling negative.

Write down how you feel in a journal.  Once you know what kinds of things trigger your negativity , you can begin to catch yourself in the act.  When unexpected things happen are the first words out of your mouth “oh no?”  Notice what your doing and tell yourself I don’t have to respond this way.  This stops your thought process. 

Just like any habit, the more you get use to halting your negative reactions and replacing them with neutral or positive reactions, the less you’ll find yourself reacting negatively.

To change my own negative tendencies of thinking negatively I’ve been evaluating my feelings.  Asking myself these questions:

1. Is the situation or just my perception causing me stress?
2. Am I expecting things to be other than they are?
3. Am I stressed because of someone else’s mistake?
4. Am I wasting time looking for a cause of this situation instead of changing my behavior now?

So do you want an attitude adjustment too? Well it’s your turn to choose.

Use Positive Thinking For Stress Free Weight Loss

First ask yourself can I use positive self-talk for losing weight the stress free way.

There is no single answer because there is no weight loss program that will work for everyone. Certainly just sitting down and talking to yourself about losing weight will not be the only thing you have to loss  weight. .

It cannot make pounds drop from your body, but if used properly and effectively it can help alter your mental state and your receptiveness  that will lead you toward long term and healthy, balanced eating and weight loss. Positive self-talk is not about accomplishing things without having to do anything one at all, but rather about motivating oneself to find the willpower needed to accomplish them.

What is the first step toward losing weight through positive self-talk?

First, you must make a definite decision about the weight-loss process. Begin by reminding yourself that you are fully committed to giving yourself a healthier body and more balanced lifestyle. Tell yourself how great you will feel once you have achieved your goals, and continually reinforce those goals as your own.

But you can’t just tell yourself once.  You do it repeatedly over and over again.  Write out statements on index cards and post them around the house in places your sure to see it every day like the bathroom mirror.  Say it a few times when your in the car going around your day to day business.

And if you want it to be super effective record it with a small tape recorder and listen to the recording again and again.

Parenting Can Be Stressful

Children are absolutely the most amazing part of life, at the same time, they may be at the center of the most stressful part of your life. It’s our fierce love that keeps us from reacting in frustration and disappointment when things don’t quite go our way.

Stress from parenting doesn’t have to damage the relationship you have with your child. Truthfully, the steps you take to lower your stress, can strengthen the bond you have with each other. Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your child after all you need a high level of energy to be a good parent. .

Kids also experience stress. As adults sometimes we have the misconception and mistaken memory of childhood as one long parade of cotton candy and amusement rides. Yet, our kids today are falling victim to negative effects of stress in greater numbers then ever before.

There are fun enjoyable things you can do to eliminate or at least reduce stress at any age.

Soothing infant stress. For infants try a daily infant massage. Gently and softly stroke your baby’s legs, arms and body, to improve circulation and relax muscles. This can be an intimate time for bonding time.

Toddle time is a very exciting time for you two year old. If the terrible twos are wearing you down spend time playing with your child. Remember some toddlers are ready to jump into the next new activities while others are far more cautious. Respect your child’s individual style. Instead of spending time worried about temper tantrums and potty training enjoy the two’s with your toddler. Your only two once.

School Daze. Once your child goes to school it’s so easy to overschedule them and yourself. Select one or two activities that your child loves and set limits. It’s helps them to realize that life has limits. A quiet walk with your child can have an unbelievable benefit of connecting you both. Try a nature hunt of finding the most unusual leaves or stones. It’s fun doesn’t cost anything and you’ll both love the time you spend together.

Teens don’t have to be trouble, but they may be the hardest ones to deal with. Your teen is trying to find where he or she belongs and are looking for the “right group” to fit in with. But as quiet as kept they still want the love, support and discipline from their parents. The teen who’s parents lets them stay out for all hours of the night with very few limits will not have the same feeling of love as the teen who’s parents limit their activities. Don’t be too restrictive because it’s time for them to stick their toe in the water it’s just too soon for them to jump in. Be consistent, don’t loose your temper and never give up.

Now it’s mommy time. All life changes start with small steps. Here are a few small steps you can take:

1. Do something good for your body. No time to join the gym – go for a walk
2. Do something good for your mind. Sit quietly and have a mediation minute. And I do mean a minute. Just take one minute to clear your mind by closing your mind and taking deep breaths.
3. Do something good for your spirit. Tell your children what they mean to you and how much you love and care about them.
4. Do something to simplify your environment. Find 5 things to throw away today. Clean up the clutter in your home.

As a parent, it’s important that you spend some time alone, getting away from it all. But it’s equally important that you monitor your child’s stress levels too and ensure they aren’t reacting to their anxiety in a way that may be harmful.

Identify Your 15 Early Warning Signs Of Stress

Simply speaking, stressors can be defined as that which produces stress.  Any factor that disturbs your sense of well-being.   Stressors can range from illness, financial concern and emotional turmoil. 

Indentifying warning signs is critical in that it allows you to be proactive when dealing with stress.  It will serve as your starting point for gauging your stress level.  It can also monitor your ability to balance your life. 

Without identifying these signs you risk long term negative impact on your physical and emotional health. 

Early Signs include:

1. Headache
2. Sleepless nights
3. Difficulty in concentration
4. Short tempered
5. Upset stomach
6. Dissatisfaction
7. General malaise
8. Irritability
9. Exhaustion
10. Weight gain or loss
11. Increase use of alcohol or drugs
12. Memory problems
13. Unable to relax
14. Feeling overwhelmed
15. unhappiness

Now that you have identified some of the warning signs of stress that has a negative impact on your persoan and prefessional life you can be more prepared to be proactive.  The emphasis here is to empower you to make the necessary adjustments to maintain a sense of balance and well-being.

Managing Time The SMART Way

Most people approach the subject of time management with one major question.  How can I get more done in less time?  Effective time management is a powerful way to lower your stress level, particularly when you use it to create a balanced life.

You’ve probably heard the acronym, SMART, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic Time Oriented.  This time management system is ideal for your work or personal life.

S for Specific: Be specific. Should be written with the five Ws in mind?   Be sure to answer what, why and how. The goal must specially describe your desired end result within a specific time frame.  I will complete writing an e-book by March 30 2009.

M for Measureable:  How will you know when the goal is achieved. What is your point of measurement. It’s a numeric measure. For instance, I will write a 50 page e-book.

A for Achievable:  Is this goal achievable.  Something you can achieve on your own or with help.  Keep in mind you have no control over anyone but yourself.  Stretch yourself but make sure it’s something that you can achieve.  For instance, writing a 50 page e-book in a month if far more achievable then having a goal to write a 50 page e-book in the next eight hours.

R for Realistic:   Are the goals do-able and realistic considering the current environment.  Have you considered all of your constraints?  Are you expecting to write this e-book in the next seven days while touring Europe.  Would it be reasonable to expect to write this book while on a 3 day whirlwind tour of Europe?

T for Time Oriented: have you given yourself an end date.  You’ll get a lot more accomplished much faster if you goal is to write an e-book in the 30 days versus I’m going to write an e-book with no expected date of completion.  Your brain probably won’t wrap around a goal with no date.

A lot of people declare they work better under pressure. But you’re only fooling yourself.  What actually happens is you make a lot of mistakes under pressure.  These mistakes that are careless and preventable.

Use the SMART goal setting system to reduce you stress and accomplish more.

Let me know what you think about this blog and let me know your biggest stress challenge in the comment section below.

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