By,
Mary-Ann Roche

If you are subjected to these stressors on a daily basis, you simply must implement ways to reduce the amount of stress you have to cope with.

In reducing your exposure to stress, you will become more productive in your chosen occupation. 

Medical Care Professions

Doctors, nurses, social workers, or medical assistants have particularly stressful jobs. The nature of the job in itself is quite difficult, given that the health and well-being of others are at stake,  and there is always that added pressure of your action potentially resulting in a negative impact to one’s health. Effectively. this means there is no room for error, making these occupations ones with especially high stress levels.

To learn tp deal with stress you must first identify its source, in order to find the appropriate coping mechanism to employ. If a Doctor or other medical professional is able to do this, it certainly reduces the possibility of making what could be, a fatal mistake in their work. 

Law Enforcement Jobs

As with the medical profession, there is undoubtly an enormous amount of stress in law enforcement. It is, after all, their responsibility to protect the community and maintain peace and order.The amount of personal risk can be enormous as law enforcement officers are forced to put themselves in extremely dangerous and highly stressful situations. 

You can reduce stress in your profession by giving yourself timely breaks which allows the body and mind to recuperate and rejuvinate. As law enforcers typically have a lot of work on their plate, having proper time management and organizational skills will also assist in dealing with stress.

Teaching Professions

While many enjoy the teaching profession, often people in this field will tell you that there is a high level of stress involved, as they deal with many children who can be difficult. Inner city teachers find their jobs particularly stressful due to high levels of crime in the area and often the children they are teaching have been exposed to violence and crime, and as a result do sometimes have behavioral problems that a teacher must also cope with, in addition to actually educating the child. Teachers are also often under close scrutiny by the community at large.

Teachers can deal with these stressors by trying these strategies:

• Try to be patient and calm, particularly with those students who are more difficult than others.  Perhaps over time with patience, you can develop a deeper emotional relationship with these children.
• Set realistic goals. When you aim to teach your students something, understand not every child will learn at the same pace. Some will take longer than others, so your schedule to have something in particular taught in one day may well blow out to two days.  Rather than get frustrated, try to factor this into your planning from the outset.

 
• Take care of yourself, whether physically or mentally.

Jobs Involving Sales

Sales roles can be very stressful as your livelihood is often dependent upon your ability to produce sales. Jobs involving sales therefore require you to meet high levels of standards and often require you to deal with the public and their demands. Since most of the stress involved in this job is associated with the results, learn how to set your goal and then forget it. Get on with using your skills and creativity to sell the service or product in your own unique way. Nobody likes a salesman with a hard sell approach and if you are constantly worried about meeting your target then you may well become one of these salesman and thwart your efforts in the process! 

Telecommuting Jobs

Can be a stressful occupation, what with having to meet deadlines, to taking care of multiple clients and their inquiries. One way to reduce stress in this instance is to examine ways in which you can become more organised. Organise your day in such a way that you can accomplish what you set out to do, however with proper breaks built into your day so that stress if reduced. Make sure in this type of occupation, that distractions are kept to a minimum as these impact greatly on your ability to produce, and hence, cause more stress.

Whenever you feel stressed out, give yourself a break and do some deep breathing. Try to slow down, take 20 minutes out of your day to meditate, and you will amazed at how less stressful you will be. Bottom line is the lessed stressed you are in the workplace the more productive you are.

By MaryAnn Roche

For me, daily affirmations are a must! They really do affect me by lifting my spirit and keeping me going when things get tough, and sometimes that can be more than once a day! Daily affirmations keep me on track and help me to remain postive about life.

Affirmations work for me when I take the time to write them myself,  this makes them personal to me and are specific to some situations or circumstances.

Some tips for writing your own affirmations:

1. Make sure when you write them you use the word “I”. These are personal to you remember.

2. Use the present tense. Affirmations are built on the here and now, which is why at any point in time when you want to be positive you can say something like “I am strong and in control right now”.

3. Use your own writing style and be concise with each affirmation, really think through what you want to say.

4. Be short. Affirmations are meant to be simple and clear. If you can, make them a one-liner. If its too wordy you wont repeat your affirmation daily.

5. Affirmations are positive statements, so be sure not to include any negative words in the sentence.

6. Make them believable. Your affirmation has to be something you will take seriously and something your subconscious will believe. In my experience, affirmations have helped cure illness and certainly helped me to remain in control during the most trying of situations.

Take the time to sit down, write out your affirmations according to how you are feeling then double check and check your list to ensure it meets the above criteria. Remember to read your affirmations at least once a day. I read them in the morning before I get out of bed and again before I fall asleep, so discover what works for you.

Some people write their affirmations as notes and stick them to the ceilling and walls, others keep them in a small notebook they carry around with them, or you could put them on dvd and keep the dvd in your car! Affirmations will ensure you reach your goals, and daily practice will ensure that you very quickly begin to notice subtle differences in your life.

By MaryAnn Roche

If what I am about to explain sounds like a typical evening at your place, then read on. The baby is on your hip, whilst you hurriedly put the Take Away out for dinner, the cat is throwing up on the bathroom mat, the hubby’s feet are up and TV on full-blast, and your teenager just angrily slammed his bedroom door because his washing is still on the line….

Sadly, this is not an exclusive club. However, the good news is that we don’t necessarily have to live this way. There are, in fact, things you can do to ease this stress and create a more harmonious home life so that you and your family can look forward to and enjoy being all home together.

A certain degree of stress is inherent as you deal with the varying phases of your precious-yes they are precious, family members. You must strive to uphold a core set of values and go with the flow to a degree. This ensures you can maintain a happy and healthy home.

There are some specific ways though that you can reduce stress, in turn creating harmony at home:

1. Be organized. Life can quickly become chaotic when you do not maintain organization. An organized home just flows, but disorganization will be full of ebbs and very little flow.

* A good tip is to start small, trying to organize the whole house at once becomes overwhelmingly difficult to achieve. Start small, one room at a time, and see how pleasing the task becomes.

2. Communicate. Your family will find it extremely beneficial to be actively working on communication skills. When you fail to do this effectively, you may not get what you want and may even lead to upsetting misunderstandings. Working on communication skills will in turn, allow all family members to feel loved and appreciated, create harmony and allow the household to run efficiently.

3. Always have your evening meal together. Everyone in your family likely has a full agenda of their own. You may even start to realize that you have no idea what’s going on with your spouse or child. When you make the time to have dinner together, you really start to relax and open up to each other, despite all having a busy lifestyle.

4. Enjoy each other’s company. It is important to schedule time to have fun together as a family, even starting with one night a week. This will take some advance planning, choosing an activity. You need to allow each family member a chance to pick an activity to their liking.

5. Show unconditional love, fill each other’s cup of love to the brim! Be sure to encourage unconditional love with your family. This leads to secure attachments and will in turn keep all of your family happy and stress-free.

* We all need to know that, when we make mistakes,which we all do at times,we have a loving family who will back us up and forgive us, no matter what.

6. Show support and go out of your way for your family members. It might not be your idea on a Friday night to go to your daughter’s ballet concert but just think of how she will feel when she sees your smiling face, knowing that she has your love and support. Express your love and support by really being there , no matter what or how difficult it seems. They can not read your mind, so just thinking about how much you love them is not enough!

7.Every family needs rules. Having a set of family rules will help with keeping organization, letting everyone know what is expected of them to create harmony for all.

* You will need to plan a family meeting to establish the house rules. Let everyone have a chance to participate and share his or her concerns. You will more than likely find a compromise that allows everyone a chance to feel happy and satisfied.

A home that is built on love will be happy and stress free. Don’t be too hard on yourself and others, and you will have the foundations for creating an excellent home life.

By MaryAnn Roche.

It’s that pounding in your chest, feeling like you cannot breathe and cannot catch your breath…you think you are suffering a heart attack!  YOU ARENT! All these are typical symptoms of an Anxiety attack. Millions of people throughout the world suffer from Anxiety.  Sometimes it is people you least suspect! It is believed that Anxiety is an inherited disorder. Think about your family for a moment, your parents may or may not show outward signs of it. Interestingly enough Anxiety is twice as common in females as it is in men. Sufferers of this disorder generally believe they are going crazy.

What Is Anxiety?

Imagine for a moment you were standing in front of a fast moving train unable to move, but all the while knowing and understanding the impact on not being able to do so.   Now imagine feeling like this several times a day and you begin to understand how it feels to suffer from an Anxiety Disorder. Anxiety is unseen, you do not know when you are going to suffer it and there simply is no warning. People who suffer anxiety experience paralyzing fear for no obvious reason and worse still, cannot see a way out of the fear.

What Causes Anxiety?

Everything and NOTHING and a patient rarely reports an event that triggered the attack. However having said that, when a sufferer revisits a situation or setting where an earlier attack happened, this could trigger another attack, as they are reminded of how frightening the first attack was. It’s a vicious cycle of fear with the overriding fear of an Anxiety attack/disorder sufferer is to suffer ANOTHER ATTACK!  Anxiety stems from your brain, and is a spontaneous trigger that sets off one’s “fight or flight” defense mechanism resulting in a full blown Anxiety attack. More often than not, Anxiety is brought about by stress from daily life. Mounting bills, work pressures, family issues, and other events can trigger this disorder and bring it to the surface.

Various Types Of Anxiety

Anxiety/Panic Disorder

This form of the disorder brings on sudden attacks that paralyze you with fear for no obvious reason. There are undoubtedly fundamental factors that cause these attacks; however, the sufferer often does not know what those are. Common symptoms are dizziness, light headedness, rapid breathing, pounding heart, tingling sensations in the hands and feet, fear of impending dread. Extremely treatable, the sufferer should seek assistance from a trained health care professional.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Commonly strikes when a sufferer is within a social setting and is very distressing. Activities such as attending University, going out for dinner and going to work are all difficult for the sufferer who often feels they are not welcome. They believe they are always judged by others and can experience trembling, feeling sick, inability to talk, sweating or blushing. Someone suffering Social Anxiety can become more and more upset prior to days leading up to a social event they have committed themselves to, and will be in an anxious frenzy by the time the event occurs. Often they will simply pull out of the social event just before it occurs.

How to overcome Anxiety

Understand and recognize you are having an Anxiety attack and that it will probably only last a few minutes. Focus on slow even breathing and try to redirect your THINKING to something else.

Final thoughts on Anxiety, understand however frightening it feels at the time, you can overcome your Anxiety disorder. To obtain expert advice on this condition simply Click Here!

By MaryAnn Roche.

Are you suffering from burnout? Whether it’s caused by work issues, stress at home, relationship challenges, or a combination of all them, it can cause a frightening feeling of hopelessness!

Burnout often causes a feeling of numbness and not knowing how to get your life headed back in the right direction.

Take heart – hope is not lost! There are some strategies you can utilize to overcome burnout, once and for all.

Try these techniques to get relief from burnout:

1. Don’t blame yourself.

Life is hectic and stressful, especially with all the intense demands placed on our shoulders. If you’re feeling burnt out, rather than blaming yourself, be proactive in getting back in the saddle so you can feel like yourself again.

* Remember, you’re in control of your destiny. Focus on what you can do, not what you think you should do.

2. Stop being so serious.

With the stress and responsibilities you carry on a daily basis, you may be in need of some plain ol’ silly time. Release your inhibitions and have some fun!

* Whether it be dancing in your living room or swinging on the swings at a local park, take some time to find your inner child again. This will help you let go of your current stress level, even if it’s just for a little while.

* Making time to have fun will give you a chance to refocus and get your life and priorities back to where they need to be.

3. Stay healthy.

It’s important to stay in peak physical condition when you’re under constant stress. Eat many servings of fruits and vegetables, drink large amounts of water, and exercise.

* Fit exercise into your busy schedule by making an appointment with yourself to exercise, and then keep your appointment!


4. Improve your time management skills.

You may be burnt out because you’re trying to fit a week’s worth of stuff into a single day. Unfortunately, that’s impossible! Learning how to budget the time in your day more effectively will relieve a lot of this time pressure and stress.

* Good time management will lessen the feeling of being overwhelmed, as well as enable you to have the time you need to do what you want to do.

5. Get enough sleep.

This allows your body to rest, rejuvenate, and start the upcoming day with more energy. You can also deal with stressful situations better when you’re alert and focused.

* If you adhere to the 8 hours per night rule, you’ll find yourself more focused, levelheaded, and patient.

Final Thoughts on Burnout and Stress

No matter how you may try to sugar coat it, modern life isn’t easy. It’s no wonder that sometimes we feel like we can’t juggle everything any more!

Although these feelings are normal from time to time, they can escalate out of control. Before we reach that point, it’s important to get our lives back in the right direction. These burnout relief strategies and tips will enable you to better handle every-day stresses so you can enjoy all the amazing gifts life has to offer!

Stress comes in all forms and from all directions, especially for families in these super busy, technologically advanced, yet tough economic times. However, even with the technology we’ve available to us, one of the biggest causes of stress in a family is lack of communication.

The unfortunate reality is that kids communicate with seemingly everyone but their family through texting, email, Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter. Nowadays it can be tough to get through to your kids, which makes it a challenge to strengthen your family’s bond.

Stress Relief by Getting Involved with Your Kids

One way to get more involved with your kids is to start communicating in a way that they’ll actually listen.

This may mean that you need to learn how to text, email and get on the social networks your kids are on. The idea is to be a source of support for your child, and that means you need to be an active player in their life, even if they push you away.

Even if you get active in your child’s life online, the best way to communicate with your kids is while they’re at home. Talk to them face to face and don’t be afraid to ask questions. You might be surprised at how they respond. At first it may seem awkward, but the more you do it, the easier communication becomes.

Communication with Your Spouse to Lessen Stress

If you’re lacking an open line of communication with your spouse, one reason may be that you’re not speaking each other’s love language or understanding their relating style. This means that you need to discover what your spouse responds to the best. Is it touch, the words you say, gifts, acts of service, or spending quality time together? Once you know how to show love to your spouse, show it abundantly!

Also, listen to your spouse’s feelings, as this will often give you ideas about how you can fill their love tank. If your spouse says something along the lines of “You never touch me anymore” or she wants to hold hands all the time, her love language is physical touch. If your spouse often uses the phrase “We never spend any time together,” and likes to just sit and talk, their love language is quality time.

Great Stress Relief – Spend Quality Time With Your Family

Another big stress on today’s family is not spending enough time together. This is most likely because everyone is so busily involved in other activities that you barely have time to yourself, let alone one another.

So, how can you make time to spend with your family?

1. Set aside at least one day out of each week and deem it family day or game night. Spending quality time with your family shows that you’re interested in what they’re doing and that you care about them. Often teens think that their parents don’t care about them because they’re never home, or they feel that their parents play a passive role in their lives. And because kids and teens often don’t spend quality time with their families, they go elsewhere to get the attention they crave. Unfortunately, elsewhere may not be a good place for your kids to be!

2. Ensure you make time for your spouse. Alone time is important for all marriages so you can continue to strengthen your relationship and explore one another’s dreams and desires for the family unit.

3. Make sure your family enjoys at least one meal together each day. Statistics show families that eat together, stay together. Children do better in school and the overall atmosphere in the home is simply happier when you make eating together a priority.

The Financial Burden and Related Stress

Financial problems are another cause of major stress in families today. Often, when the parents aren’t in control of their finances, their children suffer the same financial burdens later on in life.

As parents, you must teach your children financial responsibility from an early age. Get your little ones a piggy bank to help them learn about the importance of saving money. As they get older, include them in the budget planning and bill paying. Help them understand the concept of financial responsibility.

Children need to know that money must be earned and that your debit or credit card isn’t magically filled with money all the time.

To recap, The Top 5 Family Stress Relievers are:

1. Communicate by speaking directly to your family.

2. Learn what love language your children and spouse speaks.

3. Spend time quality time together as a family with a family day or family game night.

4. Sit down for at least one meal a day with each other.

5. Openly discuss your finances and financial situation with your family.

Incorporating these stress relief strategies into your family life will help you have a more open relationship with each family member. Plus, you’ll be able to relieve the stress and tension and replace it with joy, health, and happiness!

]]> http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1509/top-5-family-stress-relief-strategies/feed/ 1 http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1478/managing-stress-by-coping-with-change/ http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1478/managing-stress-by-coping-with-change/#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:57:28 +0000 Maryann http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/?p=1478 Managing Stress by Coping with Change

Coping with change can be high on the stress inducing list!
We all live in our individual comfort zone and when change happens, especially beyond our control, it can be very difficult managing stress associated with that change.

Obviously the changes you like are easy to deal with and you might even look forward to it! What about the changes in life that aren’t so peachy? How do you handle those?

Life is constantly changing around us, in us, through us, and about us. It’s inevitable that there are going to be changes throughout life. Some will be good, some bad, and some indifferent. Some you like, some you hate, and some just don’t matter.

Managing Stress – lets take a look….

Let’s take a look at some of these common changes and the best ways to cope with them.

Moving

How about moving or transferring to another area? That can be a pretty big change that could cause a lot of stress.

The best way to cope with this situation is to look at it as a time to refresh and renew. I know this can be difficult sometimes, especially when you love the area you live in now. And, of course, you’ll miss all your friends, family, and familiar sites.

Moving away from people you love can be very stressful and difficult, but it doesn’t have to be! You can look at the big move as an opportunity to stretch your horizons and meet new people.

Your friends and family will still be there, and you’ll still be able to keep in touch with them on a regular basis. But you’ll also grow roots in other places, and you just might build even stronger friendships and relationships than you’ve ever imagined!

Job Loss

Job loss is on the forefront of almost every American’s mind right now as the economy declines more and more each day. This type of change can be very stressful, if you allow it to be. However, by looking at the situation differently, job loss doesn’t have to be stressful.

When you’re faced with job loss, try to think of it as a new opportunity to try something new or something you’ve always wanted to do.

Some ideas are:

* Take some evening classes to learn a new skill or trade.
* Make arts, crafts, or jewelry and sell it online or at craft fairs.
* Teach others what you know through tutoring or consulting.
* Start an online business.

The point is to take a step out of your comfort zone and see the many opportunities that lie before you.

Really Coping with Change….

Stepping out of your comfort zone isn’t easy though, is it? It does take effort and courage. When you’re stuck in your comfort zone, well, you’re just that – stuck. Who wants to be stuck? I don’t and I would venture to say that neither do you!

To get unstuck, take a step out of your comfort zone and look at other possibilities, instead of stressing over the changes that lie ahead.

Focus on the New Opportunities

There are always positive ways to look at things and when you train your minds to look at change as opportunity, instead of stressing out about it, you’ll be happier and healthier.

Here are a couple of other common life changes that tend to be stressful, but can be seen as an exciting, new opportunity:

* Unexpected Pregnancy -

An unexpected pregnancy obviously can cause stress financially, emotionally, physically and mentally. However, it’s a wonderful opportunity! An opportunity to love a child and to give life. A new opportunity to make some lifestyle changes or to give life to someone who can’t have children of their own through adoption, and so much more!

* Children Growing Up -

A child going off to college or moving away from home is a huge change that many find difficult to deal with. Once again, look at the opportunities available not only to you, but for your son or daughter as well. Maybe you’ll be able to downsize your home, saving you hundreds of dollars each month.

Or perhaps your bond with your partner and friends will grow and strengthen during this time. Not to mention the growth and experience your child is going to gain as they grow and mature out in the world on their own.

How you choose to handle a situation will determine how much stress you’re going to allow on yourself. You can either look at it as a new opportunity or a dreadful scenario. The choice is yours. But the sooner you begin to look at life changes as new opportunities, the sooner you’ll enjoy a less-stressed life!

Coping with change can be a daunting thing – I know! But just try these suggestions for managing stress and have a better day!

]]> http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1478/managing-stress-by-coping-with-change/feed/ 0 http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1377/quick-top-5-work-stress-relief-strategies/ http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1377/quick-top-5-work-stress-relief-strategies/#comments Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:12:11 +0000 Maryann http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/?p=1377 Top 5 Work Stress Relief Strategies

One of the biggest sources of anxiety and fear is work stress and it usually falls into four categories:

* Work overload

* Difficult co-workers

* Demanding bosses

* Fear and uncertainty about these tough economic times

Don’t despair, there really are things you can do to relieve work stress. Most of them are easy enough you can start today and begin seeing results immediately.

Stress at Work – Overloaded And Overwhelmed

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your workload, or just occupational stress in general, the first step should be to examine your schedule. Maybe you can change your routine or rearrange your schedule so you have more time in the day to get the job done.

Perhaps there are some tasks you can eliminate or spend less time on. You can also try to delegate the work to others in your office or even outsource some work to freelancers online.

If you’re still feeling swamped, you’ll want to speak to your boss. Communication is the key to working things out and finding a way to lighten your load.

Co-Workers Who Don’t See Eye to Eye Equals Stress

There are always going to be difficult co-workers at every job. It’s something you’ll face no matter where you work. Even if there’s someone who is just a pain to deal with for one reason or another, you don’t have to let it stress you out.

If not, then I suggest killing the difficult co-worker with kindness. When you turn the other cheek, so to speak, the offender will usually back off eventually and leave you alone or better yet, befriend you. Either way you get the desired results.

A Boss Who Rules With An Iron Fist Equals more Stress

Okay, what do you do when your boss is demanding? Remember, your boss is your boss and it’s usually not wise to come across in a confrontational manner. However, you can try talking to them in a peaceful, non-confrontational tone.

However, if speaking your mind doesn’t seem to make your boss any less demanding, then you’ll have to let it roll off your back. Easier said than done, I know. But, it can be done with determination and effort.

So, what can you do to help relieve some of the stress and fear?

Questioning Your Future

Right now, probably the biggest cause of stress in the workplace is fear of uncertainty in these tough economic times. Even if you’ve done everything to ensure your position at your company, like increasing your value as an employee, there are still no guarantees in this economy.

One thing you can do is start preparing for the future. Perhaps you could start taking classes at your local community college to learn a new skill or trade.

You could also start building an online business. Even though the economy is struggling, online businesses are booming. If you make crafts or jewelry, or you’re artsy, you can start selling items on eBay or open an Etsy shop. There are many ways you can begin securing your future now. All it takes is a little research and planning.

Let it Go! Release Your Stress and Frustration

The best way to relieve work related stress is to work out regularly. Getting regular exercise helps relieve stress of any sort, but especially work related stress. If you don’t belong to a gym, begin working out at home. Going for brisk walks regularly also greatly reduces stress.

Top 5 Work Stress Relieving Strategies

1. Examine your schedule, delegate, outsource, or talk to your boss when you’re overloaded.

2. Talk to a difficult co-worker or kill them with kindness.

3. Communicate with your boss when he’s too demanding.

4. Prepare for the future when you fear losing your job.

5. Work out regularly at home or at the gym.

Stress has become a part of your everyday life, but it doesn’t have to control your life. By incorporating these work stress relief strategies, you can overcome the major causes of stress in your workplace in no time!

Today I return to my Stress and Anxiety series, with a question…..
Can Accupuncture reduce stress or does it promote stress?

Firstly, What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing art that involves inserting fine needles at very precise pressure points throughout the body. The needles stimulate the body’s natural healing processes in its energy system.

Health Benefits of Acupuncture

Accupuncture can relieve the physical symptoms of stress that tends to accumulate in the neck, shoulders, and back, causing pain and tension. Headaches are another physical complaint resulting from stress. People who are under high levels of stress often have high blood pressure.

Acupuncture can relieve physical symptoms, such as tense muscles, and even help to lower blood pressure. Acupuncture leaves the body feeling calm and relaxed. An added benefit is that it improves the circulation of the blood throughout the body.

How Does Stress Treatment with Accupuncture Work?

Acupuncturists believe that energy flows through the body system through channels called meridians. This energy is referred to as Qi or Chi.

Stress causes an imbalance in the body’s energy and causes it to flow improperly. The Qi can become blocked and stagnant. It must be unblocked and flow freely in order to restore harmonious balance to the body.

By stimulating the proper acupressure points, the Qi can flow freely, and thereby can reduce stress induced mental and physical symptoms.

So Is This Stress Treatment Safe?

Acupuncture is perfectly safe when performed by a licensed practitioner. Acupuncturists are trained in the proper methods of stress treatment and all instruments are sterilized to prevent any risk of infection.

The Food and Drug Administration approved non-toxic needles made for single use application just for use in acupuncture treatments. The majority of people who undergo acupuncture feel no pain at all. A small percentage may feel very minimal pain. Bleeding rarely occurs.

Stress Related Health Conditions

Regular acupuncture treatments can reduce stress, help heal stress related health conditions and improve the body’s immunity to defend against potential illnesses.

In fact, in some cases, acupuncture that is being used to treat one condition can actually help detect another, more severe illness that had not been previously identified.

In such cases, acupuncture aids in early diagnosis and treatment. In another capacity, acupuncture can serve as a form of preventive measure against illness by alleviating stress and strengthening the body.

Accupuncture Treatment Sessions

A typical acupuncture session may last for 30 to 60 minutes. The patient will become very relaxed during the treatment and may even fall asleep.

Regular acupuncture treatments can help strengthen your body so you’re better able to deal with the day-to-day stresses of life. Acupuncture can also leave you feeling refreshed and energized.

The Body and Mind Connection

Stress is a perfect example of the interrelated connection between the body and mind.

Remember, acupuncture is just one method to relieve stress. It’s also important to learn positive and productive ways to cope with stress on a daily basis, thereby making the stress work for you rather than against you.

Find your own combination of de-stressing methods that work for you, and use them often to enjoy a happier and healthier life. Stress is a natural part of life, but with our seemingly never-ending hectic lifestyles, we are more stressed out than ever!

There are various techniques you can use to relieve stress, such as yoga, meditation, massage therapy and more. You may want to try several different methods to reduce stress to find a method you feel most comfortable with. Read more about Stress Relief and Anxiety.

Today I am adding to my regular writings on stress and anxiety.
Feeling anxious or stressed? read on…..

Whether we like it or not, constant stress and worry can physically make us sick. Anxiety and worry can take over your life if you allow it to. The good news is that there are ways to help alleviate stress and anxiety.  

By determining the root of your anxieties, and developing ways to turn them into something positive, you can often overcome them.

The first step is to figure out exactly what you’re stressing about. Is it something you can change? Is it something you have no control over? By determining the root of your anxiety, you can better understand how you can overcome it.

For example, if you’re feeling anxious about losing your job, you have the capability to change this worry. You can work harder to prove that you’re an indispensable part of the team or you can start searching for a new job. Taking action is the surest way to defeat anxiety.

The truth is, there are plenty of situations in your life that you can change with some effort. For example, if you’re concerned about your weight, the good news is that you can change it! You already know it takes a healthy diet coupled with regular exercise. Little by little, your weight will melt away and your health will improve.

Here are some tips and techniques to help you manage your anxiety:

1. Breathe.

Once you’ve pinpointed the things you need to change, sit back and take a breath. This form of relaxation can help you calm your racing heart and give you peace of mind.

* Rapid breathing from anxiety can lead to a panic attack. Don’t let it get that far. Breathe deeply and slowly as soon as you feel yourself become worried or anxious.

2. Know your anxieties.

Write down exactly what’s causing your stress, then note down ways you can change the outcome. Knowing what you’re up against is the key to feeling better about yourself and your current situation.

3. Use positive affirmations.

When things get tough and you feel yourself losing control, repeat a positive statement over and over in your head. For example, if you’re in need of a job, you can repeat something like: “I am a valuable and hard working individual who is worthy of a fulfilling new opportunity!”

* Reaffirming positive thoughts repeatedly can help you believe that anything is possible. The power of the mind is endless.

4. Visualize.

Perhaps one of the most effective ways to overcome anxiety is the technique of visualization. Choose a quiet space in your home, light some candles, and close your eyes.

* Imagine yourself in your ideal situation. Feel how calm you are and visualize letting go of your worries. Think about how happy you’ll be once your source of stress has been diminished. Positive visualization can help you move toward the happier vision you’ve created in your mind.

5. Seek support.

Talk to someone who has been in the same situation. Reaching out to friends and family or seeking professional help can do wonders to help you get rid of your anxiety.

* Once you’ve seen that someone else has gone through and overcome what you’re experiencing, it gives you great hope that you, too, can do the same.

6. Diet and exercise.

Eating a well-balanced diet and exercising can physically help you handle stress and anxiety. The stronger the body is, the stronger the mind is. It’s a fact: if you abuse your body with junk foods or drugs and alcohol, your body and mind will react in a negative way.

* Take good care of your body and it will help take care of your worries.

Stress and anxiety are a part of everyday life. How you choose to manage them is what makes the difference. Stop letting anxiety control you. Take the reins and let your worries know that you are the one in the driver’s seat of your life.

Click on the category headings in the sidebar to read more about the above topics. You will find articles about diet, visualization, positive affirmations, diet and health as well as stress and anxiety amongst many other self help topics!

Use my suggestions above to break free from anxiety and have a better day!
 

Watch the video or read the article below!

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWEJoNdI2-w]

Everyone has to deal with stress in family relationships from time to time. As you can imagine with 7 children, I have a fair bit to say on this topic and some good ways to help your family relationships flourish!

Here are some tips to help you start managing stress and get you on the path to much better living conditions within your home and family life:

1. Spend more time with the family.
Spending more time with the family is a great way to alleviate family stress. The family that plays together stays together!

Many families eat dinner separately, or in shifts between activities. If you eat dinner this way, you can be easily disconnected from what’s happening in your family’s lives.

* Eat dinner together regularly. Taking the time to eat together and share the meal can be a great way to talk, laugh, and get rid of some of the stress in your home. This is a great way to start mending family relationships!

2. Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Treat your family with respect, serve your family, and shower them with kindness. This will start a trend in the family of treating others in the way you want to be treated.

* When you start incorporating kindness into your family life, your family’s moods will lift, you’ll enjoy your time together, and the stress within your home will evaporate.

3. Get rid of unrealistic expectations.
Don’t fool yourself into thinking that your home will always be stress free. We all know this never occurs. Even though you really love those in your family, sometimes managing stress of all kinds can get in the way of life at home.

* It’s also important for you to avoid the expectation that your family is perfect or that your children will always behave. Everyone is human; everyone makes mistakes. Be prepared for this, and you’ll get rid of much of the stress in your home.

4. Lower your expectations of yourself.
Remember, you’re not a super hero. Even though you may want to get everything done, it’s not always going to work out. Making the effort to be there for everyone all the time is important, but you can’t be perfect.

Putting huge expectations on yourself is likely to cause you to live a stressful life full of disappointment. Allow yourself to be a person rather than a super hero, and you’ll find the time to relax and enjoy life again. When you are happier, your relationship with your family members will be easier!

5. Admit your mistakes.
When you don’t admit your mistakes, you cause resentment among your family members and more stress. Do the right thing; admit and apologize for your mistakes. This reduces stress and teaches your children a valuable life lesson.

The actions you need to take to effectively start managing stress within your family realtionships may take a little practice to become second nature, but soon you and your family will enjoy being around each other like never before. Peace will reign supreme, and your home will become the relaxing place you always wished for.

Stress at home is detrimental to your relationship with your partner, your health and can cause sleeping problems, feelings of exhaustion, and other negative effects for everyone in your family!

Take some time out and regroup! Remeber, happy wife – happy life and happy mum – lots of fun! (you can add dad in there but it doesn’t rhyme…lol)

If you utilize these tips and suggestions, you will soon be on your way to managing stress for better family relationships! Enjoy

How do you describe anxiety? For me, it’s basically stress
Stress and/or anxiety can really get you down and totally wreak havoc with your overall well being.

Do you feel anxious before a dental visit or starting something new? Have you gotten the jitters before speaking in front of a large group or sweaty palms when thinking about the future?

These are common reactions when faced with something that’s scary or unfamiliar and it doesn’t necessarily mean that anything is wrong.
Although, some people suffer from a more severe form of anxiety that causes more serious physical symptoms.

So that you can better understand if your stress or anxious feelings could be a sign of an anxiety or panic attack, let’s take a look at some of the symptoms:

1. Some people have uncontrollable fears of things like crowded places, driving, or germs that cause complete avoidance of places or situations.


2. If you feel your heart is racing and you can’t breathe correctly, this can be a symptom of anxiety that is severe enough for you to get professional help.


3. Nervous behaviors, such as walking around the same area over and over again or twitching your fingers or toes repetitively, can be a symptom.


4. The consistent inability to concentrate can be a symptom of anxiety. This must be consistent behavior, and not just on those occasions when you lack sleep or are hungry, for instance.


5. Numbness in your hands, fingers, toes, and legs or feeling like you can’t stand are also common symptoms.


6. A feeling a doom or that something will happen to you, such as an accident, heart attack, or even death, can be symptoms of an anxiety disorder or panic attack.


7. If your normal activities become overwhelming to you, you could be suffering from stress, anxiety or a panic disorder.

8. If you find you have trouble swallowing or unusual dry mouth episodes, these may be indications of anxiety.

9. The inability to leave your home can be a symptom of a severe anxiety or panic disorder.


10. Fear of people around you and the desire to be alone are feelings that many anxiety sufferers face.


Understanding your condition can help alleviate the stress and fear these panic attacks cause and will also help you find a solution to stopping the attacks altogether. Living life in fear of another panic attack will hold you hostage and prevent you from doing the things you love.

The good news is these symptoms and conditions are no longer thought of as being something people shouldn’t reveal or talk about.

As scientists and the medical world become more informed about these disorders, more medications and other forms of relief are found to be effective in treating them. Relaxation techniques are very effective, and can even be done at home or in the workplace.

There’s help for you if you suffer from anxiety, stress or panic attacks. Many mental health clinics and hospitals offer affordable help if you’re on a lower or fixed income. Your health insurance may help you get treatment, and they cannot reveal your medical treatment to your employer.

If you would prefer to try and deal with your anxiety or panic attacks more privately, because you are not ready to see a professional yet, try these 2 online solutions. EasyCalm and PanicAway – are the best 2 I’ve found online so far!

If you suffer from some of the symptoms above, seek help from a professional. Get the treatment that can put you back on the road to peace, health and happiness. You’ll be glad you did!

No more panic attacks for you!
Don’t live with anxiety and stress – you CAN deal with it!

This will be pretty simple today!
These are a few ways in which you will be able to instantly feel better and feel the pressure come down.

How to manage your stress.

Slow down and look over your life. Are you taking on more than you can bear? Are there some things that you can delegate to others to help ease the burden on you and the stress you are feeling? Once you look at the demands on your time, take a good look at your attitude.

Do you feel like you’re the only one that can do all these tasks, or are you afraid to let someone else do them because they may do it
wrong? Is it possible for you to change your attitude so you can allow others to help out? Let it go and let others help you, this is a great stress management technique – delegation is a good thing! Find and utilize the skills of people you trust.

Do you have people in your life that are always negative and make you feel bad about yourself? What a stress! If so try to get away from them or at least spend less time with them if you can’t get them completely out of your life. You will be surprised how much less stress you feel when you move away and don’t have to deal with these stressful people or situations anymore!

Take a deep breath and say I am letting all negativity go from my life. I will relax and enjoy my life and not take on more than I can handle. I will not let other peoples negative comments enter my mind. Repeat this several times and whenever you face these people or problems, take a deep breath and repeat them again.

In order to feel less stressed you must take up new stress management strategies. Obviously what you’re doing isn’t working! It’s one thing to want stress out of your life but it wont just happen.

See the Sunshine again!

Help yourself feel better.

Everyone needs to make a conscious effort and adopt stress management techniques to make their life better. Try some of the above suggestions to ease your stress. Stress management can be easy if you take action now!

I talk a lot about stress and how to deal with stress on my site.

The reason is that I used to be the most stressed out person in the world and now that I have overcome it – I want to share with others that there is a way out!

Here are some really easy strategies to reduce your stress.

1. Possess a Definite Goal or Purpose in Life, and Strive for it.

Plan ahead to meet your most desired goals in life. You should always wake up with a sense of purpose.

You’ll be much more able to deal with stress if you have a good handle on your job, relationships, and other activities. When you are in control, you are more inclined to stay focused and calm. Plan your time wisely.

3. Laugh hard and loud.

If you don’t have a sense of humor, find someone else who has. Laughter releases endorphins (happy chemicals) from the body, and it helps boost your immune system.

4. Search Out A Support Group.

You’ll be able to manage stress much better if you have other people helping and supporting you. Did you know that married people and people who are outgoing (always meeting with friends), have considerably lower levels of stress in their lives?

5. Work Out! Strive to get some habitual exercise such as brisk walking, swimming or whatever appeals to you.

Play a sport you’re interested in. Aerobic exercises can considerably reduce the stress factor. Work out also improves sleep and gives you time to think and focus on other things. It also promotes the release of natural soothing chemicals in your body. Do not result to excessive exercise, however, as this may have an adverse effect and might cause more depression.

Never skip meals, especially breakfast. Get time out to eat heartily no matter how busy you are. Take nutritious snacks to the office, or even the shopping mall. A nutritionally balanced diet is essential to your health and lifestyle.

7. Take Breaths Deeply and Slowly.

Calm down your muscles, escalating your stomach and chest. Exhale slowly. Do it again several times. Follow your breath as it flows in and out. Do not try to have power over it.

8. Live Optimistically.

Count your blessings, particularly when everything seems to go wrong. Believe that many other people are living in worse conditions than you are. Don’t exaggerate the complexity of your problems. Every problem has a solution. All you need to do is find that solution. Learn to be happy and to enjoy life’s blessings. Live one day at a time.

9. Put Off Problems Earlier Than They Occur.

This takes some preparation. If you are going to another city for an valuable meeting, carry your presentation materials and dress suit on board the plane. Acquire gas for the car before the tank is unfilled. Keep food ready anytime at your house so you can fix a fast meal without going to the store.

10. Enjoy The Good Things That Life Has to Offer.

11. Move Away to Recharge Your Spirit.

Make a schedule for a private time alone every day. You deserve it. Unplug the telephone and enjoy a quiet evening alone or with your family, or even 15 continuous minutes in the shower or bathtub. You may want to spend a few minutes writing your feelings out in a journal. It can help you find a new viewpoint in life and relieve internal conflicts.

12. Don’t Be Self-Centered.

Always remember that you don’t have to attain all the money, fame, and success in the world. Today’s society forces us to build up as much accomplishments as we can, while trying to balance our own personal and family life. There’s just not enough time to do all these things. Start from the most important task and focus on one thing at a time.

13. Use Visualization and Affirmation Techniques.

You can conquer a circumstance you fear by going over the event in your mind. Imagine the scene in clear detail and visualize the best possible result that may happen.

14. Get Sufficient Sleep.

Settle on how much sleep you require for best possible performance. Lack of sleep worsens the body’s responses to stress and lowers the immune system. Getting enough sleep is one of my top ways to deal with stress!

These are all relatively simple stress reduction techniques.

My site gets so many hits when I discuss stress and how to reduce it that I am going to dig deep into this subject over the coming weeks and provide even more indepth strategies to help you deal with stress!

My Nanna used to say “a change is as good as a holiday”.
I never paid attention as I didn’t really get it!

I remember the first time I heard “A change is as good as a rest.” They weren’t wise words from my Nanna, or part of an expensive motivational seminar – I heard it on a cartoon that my children were watching. It has stayed with me ever since, and I have put it to work in my life when I have felt tired, stressed or just plain bored.

How many times do you hear yourself say “I need a holiday!”? Your life is busy with routines – work, school, laundry, bringing the kids to all of their activities, so it’s no wonder that you feel hassled, stressed or on a running wheel that you can’t seem to get off of.

For some people, just the word “change” can be really stressful. They associate it with major events, like having to get a new job, a household move or an event that requires a major effort on their part.

But there are many changes that we can make that can refresh us on a daily basis, some serious and others fun. Many of the options for change are not things that we even normally consider a “change,” but they are things we can do to refresh our daily lives and maintain the balance we need.

Maybe your job seems boring, or your daily schedule seems endlessly tiring. You tell yourself you need a vacation, or convince yourself that you just need to get away from it all. But guess what? It’s all there when you come back, and all of that blissful feeling of well being ends in the first meeting at work, or even in the first hectic morning back in the routine.

We all need to find the basic qualities that make our lives fulfilling and meaningful. These become the elements of our lives – the fundamental components that make us whole. Recognizing these elements is not enough – the key is to find the balance that reflects the importance and priorities of our lives.

To achieve lasting stress management, we need to change the way we think about things. Once you know what’s important to you and focus on it, you will achieve more and be happier.

Once you are happier, things won’t stress you out like they used too!
Of course a holiday is great! It’s time to get away from the norm and have a bucket load of fun! Let your hair down and relax – now there’s a bit of short term stress management for you!

If you want that stress free feeling to continue when you return home to your life and your job, you need to focus on what’s really important to YOU and You Only!

Here’s what I’ve got today…….

With us wearing so many hats in life, we often find ourselves stressed and worn out. But there are remedies for this. For me personally, I find that by making myself indulge in at least one of the following during my week, I am much happier and a lot less stressed. I find myself enjoying this “My Time” but I also sometimes try to get my family involved so that we all can lead a more stress free life.

In our lives today, we often find ourselves so busy taking care of the home, the children, our businesses, our social life, our children’s social life, our bills and just life in general that we often forget to take care of ourselves.

1.) Try to live Simply

2.) Take a nice long scenic walk, perhaps the beach or the lake. (Even invite a friend)

3.) Put on your favorite music, turn it up loud and dance

4.) Light up your electric simmering (aroma) pot with a softly scented aroma. This allows your senses to relax, thus allowing you to relax. Then curl up on the sofa with a good book

5.) Sink into your tub for a long, luxurious soak at the end of the day. Light a few nicely scented candles, turn off the lights and let the glow and scent of the candle relax your mind, body and soul.

6.) Splurge just a little and go in for a professional massage at your local day spa

7.) Go have a manicure and pedicure done. (And I truly suggest the Spa Pedicure – ohh la la!)

8.) How about your favorite movie? You know the one that just made you laugh, cry and smile.

9.) Another great idea is your local Coffee Stop. This is especially nice if it has a book store inside. Grab a cup of coffee or cappuccino and a magazine and just relax with the latest Hollywood gossip or a wonderful romance book

10.) Got a best or very dear friend you haven’t talked to in awhile? Pick up the phone and call her and reconnect.

11) The number one Stress Reliever: Take a Vacation!!!

So, there you go! Try some of these tips for reducing stress and have a better day!

Unfortunately, there are many times in our lives when stress creeps in and causes great angst. Life is busy and work, kids, school and responsibilities can seem overwhelming at times. Do you feel stress getting you down? Here are some tips to help deal with stress and its after-effects.

Sometimes, however, stress reveals itself in other ways. Lightheadedness, an inability to focus, feelings of pressure and palpitations are all symptoms of stress. Moreover, continued stress can produce anxiety, panic, and the fright or flight syndrome. Here is one such case of how stress can simply overwhelm and, in some cases, debilitate.

A secretary was called into her administrator’s office, which was quite large and comfortable. As she was taking dictation, she suddenly found it hard to breathe; began to lose focus; and a queasy feeling in her stomach ensued. She could no longer concentrate on his voice, and ran out of the room.

Upon further examination, it was determined the stress in her home life simply became too much, and filtered its way in to her work day.

If stress is getting you down, examine the cause. Determine the origin, and discuss it with a professional or a loved one. Stress, if not acted upon, can cause serious health problems. Avoid it at all costs, if you can.

Is stress getting you down? – do something about it now!

Well. today I want to discuss The Link Between Diet and Stress

Ever thought that, if you ate differently, you might be better able to handle the stress in your life better? Do you ever wonder how stress might affect what you eat? No matter which way you look at it, stress and food are related. There are many things that you can do to help deal with your stress without resorting to food as your crutch.

When you look at all of the ways that diet and stress are interwoven, it’s hard to deny the fact that the foods you eat affect how you think, feel, and react. After all, an unhealthy diet not only stresses your body, but your mind as well. A good starting point is to evaluate your daily diet and make one change at a time to create that healthy lifestyle you deserve.

Not Just the Diet

A healthy and balanced diet can help you manage stress much more effectively, but simply eating right is not enough to help you deal with stress. There are many different things you can do to help control and manage your stress such as:

* Getting 7-8 hours of sleep at night
* Making time to relax
* Having a support system
* Knowing your limits
* Proactively planning and organizing
* Being able to say no

How Your Diet and Stress Are Related

* When you’re stressed out you’re more likely to either over-eat or under eat. When you do either of these things you are negatively impacting your blood glucose levels and your moods may swing violently, which will only create conflict and intensify your stress. Unfortunately, most of us don’t realize how we can sabotage ourselves with food! Once you become aware of your stress response, you can make the choice to change it.

* Stress breaks down the immune system, while the right foods can help support it. Time and time again, studies have proven that stress makes our immune system weaker, leaving us exposed to dangerous viruses, bacteria, and illnesses. It has also been proven that when you eat the right foods you’re helping your body build and maintain a healthy immune system. The key here is simple: Eat right, feel great!

These are just a few stress solutions that, in addition to healthy eating, will help you limit and control the stress in your life. When you incorporate even just a few of these healthy living strategies into your life, you’ll find that overwhelming stress is a thing of the past; and the weight will be lifted off your shoulders (and thighs!)

The good thing to know though – is that if you use your new found knowledge on what links diet and stress and put it to good use, your diet will make you healthierand your stress will be gone alot faster than if you dont!

Alot of people don’t realise that stress is not only something we cope with but also a state of being that negatively impacts the body. In fact, stress has a bigger impact on our bodies than most of us care to acknowledge.

When you look at these facts it is hard to deny that we all need to learn how to manage our stress more effectively. Some of these facts include:

* 75-90% of all doctor visits are stress-related

* 43% of all adults have health problems related to stress

* Stress is known to cost American businesses more than $300 billion each year

* 82% of workers are at least a little stressed in the workplace

Seven ways stress affects your health.

There are two kinds of stress. The “good” stress is called eustress but we generally only hear about the “bad” stress known as chronic stress or distress.

Chronic stress creeps up on you and gradually affects your health. At first, you may not even notice the symptoms of chronic stress at all! And if this stress is not managed, the symptoms will get worse and its effects may even be irreversible.

1. Anxiety. Those who are stressed are likely to deal with uncontrollable levels of anxiety. Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand, and this can cause many different changes in the physiological functioning of the body.

2. Depression. When you are stressed out, it is very common for people to become depressed. There are only so many chemicals in the brain to help a person deal with stress, and when they are used up, they’re used up. This can lead to a person becoming profoundly depressed in what seems like a relatively short period of time.

3. Diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest growing epidemics in the world and both mental and physical stress can cause rapid fluctuations in blood sugar levels. The long-term effects associated with this include heart disease, blindness, liver problems, kidney disease, and more.

4. Heart disease. Stress is very closely linked to heart attacks and death associated with cardiovascular disease. When stress is not managed, the body breaks down quickly and the heart is often profoundly impacted.

6. Sexual dysfunction. Stress is one of the most common reasons associated with impotence in men and lost libido in women.

7. Hair loss. We often tease our friends and family when they begin to lose hair, but this can be a symptom of unmanaged stress. If your hair is falling out prematurely don’t blame genetics, look closely at how you are dealing with the stress in your life and see if there are things you can do to control it more effectively.

As you can see, stress affects your health in many ways. This is by no means an all-inclusive list of how stress affects your body and health. You may also suffer from hyperthyroidism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, tooth and gum disease, ulcers, and even cancer. Stress is serious stuff! This is all the more reason to start actively managing your stress today.

Its true! stress affects your health! Dont let stress be the end of you!