Have you ever wondered why some people seem to flow through life so easily?

Do you think they deal with stress by pretending that the crisis doesn’t exist? Or do they avoid facing the problem by doing something else such as finding solace in eating?

Of course not!

It's not because they don't have stressful things happen to them, it's because they know how to control their reaction to those things. In other words they manage it. The good news is, you can too!

For starters, follow this simple mantra - “Avoid unnecessary stressors and control the inevitable ones.” Incorporate this mantra in to your life and follow these stress-busting tips below. You'll soon feel empowered  because you'll be in control.

Don’t Suppress your Feelings   

Make it a point to share your joys and sorrows with someone regularly. Be it a friend or parent, just trust them enough to share your feelings and see the difference it makes. After all, the old adage, “A joy shared is doubled and a sorrow shared is halved,” is so very true.

Explore the Ancient Arts of the East

Sign up for a course in yoga or tai chi. Or try the new biofeedback methods of relieving your stress. Try to slow down a bit. Allow yourself more time for tasks to provide for unforeseen delays. Look around you and find the beauty in ordinary and everyday things. Be proactive and set yourself on the path to a new and improved you. It will do wonders for your mind, body and soul.

Get Out and Shake your Booty

Yeah yeah you've heard it a million times, but exercise is so important. The minimum the experts prescribe is three times a week, a half hour at least each time. Not a tall order when you think of the way it boosts the rest of the week! So, work it into your daily routine. Get moving whenever you can. Climb the stairs. Hide the remote. Do all you can to get this time squeezed in to your week.

Nurture Yourself like the Old Days 

Remember how your mother took care of you, planning your every meal when you were young? Treat yourself the same way. Don’t starve yourself during the day citing a busy schedule and stuff yourself with the empty calories of junk foods at night. Eat at least one good hot meal a day. Respect your body’s needs for those vitamins that help it fight the battle against the harmful chemicals unleashed by stress.

Prepare for the Worst and Hope for the Best

Think out the worst possible scenario in case your fears come true in an unsolvable crisis. Then try to accept the inevitable. You feel lighter already.  

Delve into the Funny Side of Life

Watch funny movies with friends. Simplify your outlook toward life and stop judging everyone and everything including yourself.  Look at the lighter side of life and laugh away your blues.

Soak Yourself

A hot bubbly bath with a glass of wine works wonders for easing the tension. Reward your hard work and help your body melt away the stresses. When you are stressed out, try treating yourself to a pedicure or a massage to help you unwind.

Blessing in Disguise

View each crisis as a positive nudge toward a better direction in your life. Many times stressful situations you're facing are a blessing in disguise. Before getting worked up about it, look for the lesson or the path that lies ahead.

Prayer for Serenity

This is my favorite saying, and it's simple to remember and very powerful.  Repeat this several times a day and before you know it, you'll be living it. “Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change the, Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.”

You're not Alone

Knowing that mankind has faced stressful situations from the beginning of time will give you a sense of relief as well as the necessary strength of mind to persevere.

Finally, I know from reading our discussion boards that many of you are currently faced with challenging life circumstances which results in a boat load of stress. So please remember to take time for yourself, keep things in perspective and persevere. Things will and do get better.

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Stress Management Resources

Serenity Prayer Gifts - Here is some wonderful merchandise I found that has the Serenity Prayer printed on them. I have the this poster hanging on my wall, it's a great "grounder" for me. Conquer Anxiety - Many times anxiety and stress go hand in hand. If you suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety or any other anxiety disorder symptoms, Deanne will help you. She is an internationlly known educator on this topic and has a system that works, guaranteed! Soft Surroundings - is obsessive about providing women with softness to help ease their tensions. Here, everything that touches your skin is ranked either “so soft,” “heavenly soft,” or “ultimate softness.” Luxuriously soft clothing and bedding, state of the art beauty and relaxation products, elegant accessories for bed and bath, all to restore your body and spirit. The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook - This book has been around a very long time and it is still a best seller for stress reduction. It is a very practical guide and recommended by psychologists and therapists around the world.