| You know the saying - 'It is all in the mind' - well, it is | | | | engagements early saves you from last minute panic |
| true... | | | | and keeps your mind relaxed and makes unnecessary |
| Many a well-known quote can be found emphasizing | | | | stress less likely. |
| the fact that the way you feel about a thing | | | | 5. Have a good laugh. Humor and stress relief go |
| determines the way that it will affect you. Stress is | | | | hand in hand. Genuine laughter relaxes your muscles, |
| no different. If you can relax your mind and have | | | | has a calming effect that lasts long after you have |
| techniques in place that keep you calm and focused, | | | | finished laughing and reminds you that you can |
| then you will control the effects of stress instead of | | | | always change the mood of any situation. |
| stress making you jump like a puppet. And | | | | 6. Practice cognitive therapy techniques. This takes |
| remember, your stress triggers are different to mine | | | | practise but really helps to relax your mind in times of |
| - so be aware of your particular triggers and quickly | | | | stress. Cognitive Therapy or Cognitive Behavioural |
| apply your favourite mind relaxing exercise when you | | | | Therapy (CBT) is a fancy name for a powerful |
| feel the pressure building. | | | | self-help technique for dealing with emotional stress |
| Here are 7 of my favourite and most effective ways | | | | and negativity... |
| to relax your mind to reduce stress... | | | | We could call it simply "thinking yourself better!" |
| See what appeals to you and make them part of | | | | CBT teaches you to see things the way they are by |
| your daily routine... | | | | changing the way you think and thus helping you to |
| 1. Do something that you like to do. When you feel | | | | feel more balanced and in control. If you can prevent |
| your shoulders tensing, stop what you are doing and | | | | random negative beliefs from forming around an |
| do something pleasurable. Even if it is for five | | | | actual event, you have gone a long way toward |
| minutes. Keep a poetry book nearby and open it for | | | | keeping a calm and relaxed mind. |
| a quick read. Go outside and look at your garden. Put | | | | 7. Use positive affirmations. Make a time every |
| some food out for the birds. Hum a happy tune... | | | | morning (I do it in the shower) to set the tone for |
| Anything that changes your focus and calms your | | | | your day. State firmly and clearly how you want your |
| mind. | | | | day to be. "I have safety", "I have self-control", "I |
| 2. Do something for others. Replacing the stressful | | | | have a sense of achievement" - whatever it is that |
| thought with a thought of someone else acts as a | | | | you want to feel. This helps you to center your mind |
| distraction and also makes you feel good about | | | | on positive aspects instead of wasting energy |
| yourself. Take a few minutes to e-mail a friend, or | | | | worrying about what might not even happen. |
| phone a family member and say a quick hello. Maybe | | | | Remember, what you expect, usually happens. So |
| write a short, encouraging note to leave on a | | | | you program your mind to be relaxed and in control |
| workmate's desk. | | | | before the daily stresses take over. |
| 3. Breathe. Get into the habit of doing a mindful | | | | We do live in a changing world that is sometimes |
| breathing technique every morning. When stress | | | | difficult to deal with, BUT most depressing, stressful |
| symptoms hit you, you can instantly focus on your | | | | and anxiety-producing events are not inherently |
| breathe for ten breathes or so. Making your breath a | | | | awful... |
| focus of your mind gives you immediate control over | | | | It is the way we react to them that makes them |
| how your mind reacts. | | | | feel awful. You can keep your mind calm and relaxed |
| 4. Be prepared. Being organized and preparing for | | | | in times of stress by practising some of these |
| assignments, appointments, tasks or even social | | | | techniques. |