Ways to Manage Stress For A
Happier, Healthier, More Balanced Life!

Be Selfish And Take Time For Yourself

In a plane you are asked to place the mask over yourself first BEFORE helping your kids or anyone else. This principle is also true in life. If you are always giving to others and don't take any time for yourself to relax, you'll eventually resent it and end up sick.

So do yourself and those you care about a favour and schedule some "Me Time" on a regular basis. It can be as simple as reading a book or soaking in a bath with relaxing essential oils, to scheduling a weekly massage or a break away every 6 weeks.

This is one of the best ways to manage stress, so find something that works for you and do it on a regular basis.

Identify Areas Causing You Stress

There can be any number of things that cause you stress. Identify your triggers and then take the necessary steps to reduce or eliminate the impact it has on you on an emotional and physical level.

• If you're always running late get up 15 minutes earlier and organise things -- clothes, lunch and to-do-list for the day -- the night before. You could also try planning your week Sunday evening.
• If you're feeling overwhelmed with everything you have to do and don't know where to start, write a list and prioritise. Then do them in that order and delegate wherever you can. And don't be afraid to ask for help.
• Identify the people, places or situations that cause you stress and avoid them. I realise sometimes that's easier said than done, so in those instances find some natural stress reduction techniques that work for you.

Get Things Out Of Your Head And On Paper

This is so simple but not many people do it. Instead of driving yourself crazy relying on your memory and then running the risk of forgetting something important, write it down.

You will also find a great sense of accomplishment at the end of the day when you look over your list and can tick it off as completed.

Manage Your Emotions And Feelings

Find some natural stress reduction techniques that work for you such as deep breathing, meditation, or meridian tapping and incorporate them into your life on a daily basis.

Meridian tapping gets my vote as one of THE BEST ways to manage stress and negative emotions.

It's simple, safe, drug-free and extremely effective.

And of course exercise is also a great way to relieve stress and start the feel good hormones flowing.

De-clutter Your Mind And Your Life

It's easy to create clutter at home, in your mind and at work. Putting little things off that you don't want to do build up over time causing stress and a drain on your energy.

Take control by grabbing a piece of paper and taking inventory of what needs to be done around your home. Start at the front door and go through room by room, listing what has to be done.

Then set aside a full day or a few hours every week and concentrate on one room until everything is done.

You could try making it a game by setting a timer to see how much you can get done in a certain amount of time. It's another great tip on ways to manage stress and you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment which will spur you on.

It's OK To Say "No" And Ask For Help

It's impossible to be and do everything for everyone, and trying to do so will only cause you a huge amount of stress. So when someone asks you to do something you really don't want to do or haven't got time to do, simply say "No".

And don't be afraid to ask for help, especially with the things you aren't good at or don't like to do.

Stop Trying To Change Others

Trying to control or change others only makes the other person more defensive which causes everyone stress. The only person you can change is yourself and when you do, you'll find others will respond differently.

Try some or all of these ways to manage stress and see what works for you.

Here's to a happier, healthier, more balanced and stress-free life!

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