Coping With Stress

Simple but effective ways of dealing with everyday STRESS:

• Cultivate gratitude.
• Begin & end your day with prayer, meditation or reflection.
• Keep your house picked up.
• Don't over-schedule yourself.
• Strive for realistic deadlines.
• Live up to your word. It's the only thing you can give and still keep. Never make promises you cannot keep.
• Create quiet surroundings at home & work.
• Go to bed early at least twice a week.
• Always carry something interesting to read.
• B-R-E-A-T-H-E  deeply & often.
• Move - Walk, dance, run. Find a sport or active hobby you enjoy.
• Drink lots of water.
• Eat only when hungry.
• Never deprive yourself. Instead eat in moderation.
• Set aside one day a week for rest & renewal.
• Laugh more.
• Luxuriate your senses - See, smell, touch, taste.
• Always opt for comfort.
• If you don't love it, live without it.
• Let Mother Nature nurture.
• Ignore the phone during dinner.

• Stop trying to please everyone.
• Start pleasing yourself.
• Stay away from negative people.
• Don't squander precious resources - time, creative energy, emotions.
• Nurture friendships.
• Don't ignore or be afraid of your passion.
• Approach problems as challenges.
• Honour your aspirations.
• Set achievable goals.
• Surrender expectations.
• Savour beauty.
• Create boundaries.
• For every "yes", let there be a "no".
• Don't worry about yesterday or tomorrow. Live in the present.
• Exchange security for serenity.
• Care for your soul.
• Cherish your dreams.
• Express love each day.
• Search for your Authentic Self until you find it. 

These simple tips can change the way to experience day-to-day life. You must make a conscious effort  to live your best life now. Many were taken from a great book I am reading called "Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort & Joy", written by Sarah Ban Breathnach. Others were based on my overall experiences. I find that giving thanks for the many blessings we are granted daily, helps the day go much better. You seem to have more of a sense of appreciation for simply being alive.  Stress does not have to be a regular part of life, as we are conditioned to think. It kills, so kill it before it kills you!