METHODS TO REDUCE STRESS

Recently we had an extremely important meeting. One that we absolutely could not be late for. Had I been going by myself, I would have arrived 15-20 minutes prior to. If the venue would have been held in a location that I was unfamiliar with, I would have mapped out my route several days prior to and I would have entered the destination on my gps 30 minutes before I needed to leave my house in order to ensure there were no traffic incidents that would have obstructed my 15 minute early arrival goal.

However, I was not traveling alone and I was relying on the other passenger to be at this meeting with me. This particular person didn't understand my efficiency and they did not share in the same belief system as me. Thus creating an intense situation that left me sweaty, tense, frazzled and a little mean.

I remember on a very turbulent flight the captain issued a warning to stay in our seats. Well this lady decided this didn't apply to her so as she made her way back to the bathroom she was falling on almost every passenger that she passed. I was overwhelmingly nervous and in my anxiety I began yelling at her to return to her seat.

Almost instantaneously I regretted my outburst and I apologized to the lady. As I sat there, I understood something about my temperament. When I get nervous I actually turn aggressive.

This is something that I constantly and consistently work at changing. Now in edgy situations, I get out ahead of my initial reaction of anger and I attempt to calm my emotions.

Looking back on the planning of this important meeting, I should have driven separately. We made it on time but not with a minute to spare. Everything went well but it sparked this blog.

If you are running 5-10 minutes late for work every single day because you can't find something to wear in the morning try a different approach. Start laying out several outfits in advance according to the weather. Perhaps on Sundays, get yourself organized for the week ahead.

If lack of planning a sufficient meal is causing you to run through a drive-thru to grab the cheapest and fastest thing possible, start making small changes by meal prepping.

If your phone is at 1% and you can't finish reading this blog, well be sure to come back and finish once you are recharged.

I'm laughing while typing this but I'm being serious. By making small adjustments to our every day lives, we will live less stressed. These however, are internal conditions that if we get out ahead of, we can reduce stressful situations.

External conditions are those that we have little to no control over. Some examples of this could be the neighbor that purposely partially blocks your driveway or lets his dog use your lawn as his bathroom, the co-worker that excludes you, talks behind your back, sabotages your presentation, or your significant other that leaves every drawer open after use, drinks all of the juice but leaves the empty container and loads the dishwasher worse than your 6 year old. This list could go on forever.

In case you are wondering, I am still crying laughing while typing this. That is because I used to get so mad at petty, insignificant things. Now, I play a game to see how many times in a day I can count the drawers being left open and if the next day can out win the day before. Laughter is good like medicine. Before you continue reading, think of a situation that really frustrated you and if nothing else, laugh at yourself for how you handled it. Also remember that frown lines run deep. Nobody has time for wrinkles.

When you cannot change a situation, change how you look at it. When you change how you look at a situation, the situation will change. This is not a play on words. This is a tried and true method of success. If you apply this single principle in your life, your life will be changed.

No matter the severity of things, if you can take a 3-5 second pause before you react, this will give you time to not only quiet your reaction, but it will bring tranquility to yourself physically. Taking a deep breath in through your nose, holding it, and then exhaling through your mouth, will chemically calm the stress indicators in your brain.

The quicker we realize that we only have the power to control ourselves, our thoughts, our reactions and not anyone else (how they think, what they say, what they don't say, how they act or don't react), the less likely we will are to become frustrated over external conditions. Giving our energy, power and control to another is just as unwise as withdrawing all of our money from our bank accounts and flushing it down the toilet. Why would anyone in their right mind do that?

It is essential to remain steadfast and unaffected by the situations or events occurring around you. By refusing to be swayed, you can maintain control over your own well-being and decisions.

It is natural to encounter challenges and obstacles, but it is crucial to remember that you have the power to choose how you respond to them. Develop resilience and inner strength, allowing yourself to stay focused and unbothered, regardless of what may be happening externally.

"It is the set of the sail, not the direction of the wind that determines which way we will go."

YOU ARE DESIGNED TO REIGN IN LIFE

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