Stress Relievers
Stress?
Someone made this doll for me years ago. I don’t even remember who; I think it was in a craft swap or something. She’s been sitting on my desk ever since.
Frankly, just between you and me, I think she’s a little creepy. Her mouth is like a jagged slash.
By kendiala on 2005-07-29 00:27:59
Stressor’s are points of conflict that create situations in our lives that cause us to become irritated, hassled and frustrated. Much of the time upon examining the particular stressor and your reaction to it, we find that it’s just a small thing. Perhaps it triggers something larger we haven’t dealt with in our lives on a deeper level. Sometimes the “straw that breaks the camels back” is the final small aggravation on top of everything else. Most often, it’s simply one of those provocations during a busy day that adds more seeming hassle.
Whatever triggers the annoyance here’s a couple of really easy, fast exercises you can do to eliminate those irritations. These straightforward ideas may help you release the stress of little annoyances that come and go during your day, e.g. traffic congestion, long lines, your own and others “imperfections”, etc.
First, make a list, numbering from 1 to 10. Rate for yourself how bad something is from a little situation to a real catastrophe happening in your life. Number one might be spilling coffee on the counter and number 10 breaking your leg or someone shooting you. If traffic congestion irritates you or a driver cuts in front of you on the road, use this exercise to remind yourself that it’s not the end of the world! As Louise Hay once said, “I’m not going to let someone else’s bad driving ruin my day!”
Second, make a list of things you really love. Two or three is a good start, with no more than 5. Then if you’re running late for an appointment and traffic slows you even more, think of what it would be like to lose all those things. Traffic doesn’t seem so bad anymore, does it? Or standing in line at the grocery store or the bank isn’t really that horrible after all.
An excellent process from Abraham-Hicks is the ‘Rampage of Appreciation’. As you are sitting in traffic, waiting in line, or cooling your heels in an office, take a few moments and look about you. Say to yourself gently, “that plant in the corner is lovely”, or “the receptionists’ haircut is really cute on her”; “the pictures in this magazine are so colorful and relaxing to me”. As you begin this exercise to find a better feeling place, you will gradually relax and feel more joy. And before you know it, your wait time is over and you’re next!
It is always a good idea to keep things in perspective, and relatively speaking you can find something good in every time and place. During a recent class a student reminded me “pain never lasts”. At first thought you may feel that’s just not true. Mull over this statement and you will realize it’s true! Practicing patience will also allow a more visceral release of that which is bothering you.
One more positive tool is to give gratitude daily. As you touch on that which you are grateful for, you attract to you more of the same. Take a break when you seem overwhelmed with stress and count your blessings. Go one step further and begin to keep a Gratitude Journal. Each day write down just three things that you’re grateful for. They don’t have to be big things; sometimes a flower that catches your eye, clouds floating overhead, a birdsong, a child’s wide-eyed wonder.
