Motivation Monday Stop Stressing

Motivation Monday Stop Stressing Life is full of stressors. And you would stop stressing if you could, but its out of your control, right? Wrong! When you are stressed, you dont function at your full potential. Lets put a stop to letting stress get the upper-hand. Whats Stressing You Out? These are the top 5 sources  of stress according to The American Psychological Association: Money Work The economy Family responsibilities Personal health concerns And we deal with these almost every single day. You cant eliminate the source of stress. You can begin to change how you react or respond to things. Are You  Stuffing It Away Wishing stress away or ignoring the sources doesnt make it go away. I know, Ive tried. I put aside the things I dont want to deal with, perhaps secretly hoping they will resolve on their own. Nope, this never happens. And worse, in the back of my mind, or subconscious, I still worry about them. Then, when something else begins to cause me stress, I blow. I become an irrational, screaming fool. Thats how stuffed stress manifests itself with me. Your reaction may be very different. Change How You Look At Stress Things dont happen to you- they just happen. Instead of taking everything as a personal attack or conspiracy, acknowledge that it is what it is. I know, this isnt easy. You have to retrain your brain. And this takes some work and time. Be Grateful and Think Positive Thoughts One way to do this is to spend two minutes a day for 21 days writing in a gratitude journal. You can read why and how here. Here  are five more ways to de-stress your life. Turn Your To-Do Into A Ta-Da! If you arent managing a to-do list, you must. It helps keep you focused on the right activities. It provides a map and creates some sense of order. Your list needs to be realistic. Dont cram too many action items on your list. If you dont accomplish them all, you are likely to feel disappointed. And you know what that leads tostress. Think about what you can delegate. What can you do to simplify your day so you dont have to make as many decisions? Focus on what  absolutely has to get done that day. The most important thing to remember is to celebrate, or at least recognize, your accomplishments. Add this to your gratitude journal or do the happy dance. Positive reinforcement makes you want to continue to do things, especially those you may not enjoy doing. More Tips to Help You Stop Stressing In the infographic below by OfficeVibe, there are these proven suggestions to help you combat stress: Music/sound Meditation Eat right Get enough sleep Use a stress ball Go outside during a break Eat away from your desk Volunteer Be a mentor Smile Say good morning Compliment someone