Nancy Hearn, CNC, EFT-ADV
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5 Simple Ways to Avoid Stress
By Nancy Hearn, CNC
A lot has been said on how to relieve stress. From taking a hot bath to meditating, there are many ways to calm down and give yourself a break after a hard day or difficult situation. What is not talked about much though is how to avoid stressful situations that leave us upset, scatterbrained or tense.
It seems simple that we would stay away from the things that would cause us to be upset, but sometimes it is not that easy. Whether it is the difficult boss, spouse, child or situation, sometimes we just can’t wish a problem away. The following are five simple ways to cut back on the everyday stressors.
1: Learn how to stand up for yourself. A large part of stress can come from not standing up for yourself. If you feel like everyone is walking over you and using you at the workplace or at home, it can stress you out very fast. Don’t be afraid to say no once in a while. If it is hard for you, try saying no just once a day and slowly work your way up. You’ll be surprised at how much better you feel and more in control.
2: Avoid people who get under your skin. Sometimes a person can rub you the wrong way. This can be a co-worker, friend, girlfriend or even a spouse. Whenever you are around this person you either hold your tongue, causing you to bottle up negative emotions, or lose your temper and in the process lose your peaceful state of mind. Instead of trying to force one of these stressful relationships to work and lose your happiness in the process, try limiting the amount of time you spend with that person or ending the relationship entirely.
3: Cut back on multitasking. Instead of trying to cram everything into a short amount of time, try planning your schedule better and balance the load throughout the day or week. By doing one thing at a time, you can focus much better and be mindful and alert instead of bouncing around and committing careless mistakes while multitasking. And don’t forget to enjoy yourself while doing it!
4: Control your own environment. We all have a level of control over the environment that we encounter daily. If the evening news is getting you all worked up and upset, turn it off for a while and focus on things you can control. If you get stressed out during rush hours of traffic, take a few minutes more to ride down a less busy but longer route. Do more shopping online if going to the market isn’t enjoyable.
5: Avoid hot issues in conversation. Everyone is entitled to their belief and some people believe that their way is the only way. If someone tries to get you engaged in a conversation repeatedly to argue with you or make a point, politely walk away from the conversation topic or to change it to something less controversial.
As is often the case, when it comes to health and wellness, an ounce of prevention is worth the pound of cure. Learning how to avoid stress is far more effective than trying to manage it.
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Disclaimer: Statements contained herein are not meant as medical advice, and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional health care provider concerning your health conditions.
