Stress: Learn To Let It Go July 15, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Health & Wellness, Meditation, Mindfulness, Nature.trackback
Simple pleasures are life’s treasures . . . if they don’t escape our notice.
To maximize enjoyment of the “little things in life,” we need to stay in the moment and savor them, without getting distracted by minor annoyances ~ a rude comment, an inept waiter, or our own negative reaction to life and the stress it tosses our way.
Stress impacts our physical, mental, and emotional well-being, clouds our awareness of the “good” in life, and may lead to more serious conditions:
* heart disease, cancer, headaches
* sleep disorders, backaches, fatigue
* anxiety, irritability, depression
* high blood pressure, digestive problems
We can’t eliminate stress from our lives, but we can learn to sidestep it. Here are a few tips and techniques:
* Daily exercise ~ aerobic exercise helps to release frustrations while producing endorphins which fight stress.
* Relaxation techniques ~ yoga, meditation, creative visualization, deep breathing, and listening to music help melt stress away.
* Getting enough sleep ~ lack of sleep leads to fatigue and a reduced ability to cope with minor annoyances.
* Strong relationships ~ connecting with friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members can help us share the load when times are tough.
* Changing our focus ~ when life gets us down, it’s important to look around for the positives. Keeping a Gratitude Journal is a natural mood elevator.
Stress is an inevitable part of life, caused by “good things” (marriage, moving, a promotion) and “bad” things (death of a loved one, debt, divorce).
When we learn to let it go . . . we more easily flow through life, with increased clarity and coping skills.
Quote: A quiet mind, like the surface of a still pond, provides a more accurate reflection.
No rules. Just write!
Related posts: Beginner’s Yoga 1~2~3 * 10 Happiness Boosters * 13 Tips to Stay Healthy & Happy * Walk Off Some Weight * Get Out!!! * Meditation 101 * Creative Visualization * The ABC’s of Happiness * More ABC’s of Happiness * Exercise, Exercise, Exercise
Comments
Sorry comments are closed for this entry
Spirit Lights The Way 
I absolutely love the pictures..they are enough to de-stress anyone.
Fortunately most of my every day life is stress free. It is just a happy laid back way of living
That is wonderful!
I think that S~T~R~E~S~S is a symptom of certain cultures and countries more than others.
Italians know how to live the sweet life ~ Living La Dolce Vita
Jamaicans shrug off stress ~ Ya, mon. Life is Good.
And Americans brag about how stressed they are ~ I only sleep 14 minutes a night because I am a busy beaver.
No worries, mon! 😎
I am extremely stressed out at the moment, will take your tips to heart. Thanks.
Breathe. Relax. Repeat.
Aah . . . that’s better. 😀
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to OB!
The best advice, like this, is often just common sense; yet we forget it quite easily.
I agree. People take life too seriously . . . and none of us make it out alive. 😀
I think I’ll print this one out and stick it up on my fridge. Our next two months will be high stress, but for good reasons…I just need to remember to breathe, and all of the other stuff you listed! Have a sweet day. 🙂
Thanks, Cecelia. Yes, your move and new jobs will definitely UP the stress in your lives. Counterbalancing that stress will make it easier on both of you.
Breathe. Relax. Repeat. 😀
Good things can cause stress … I agree! One of THE most stressful events of my entire life was gettng a big promotion and having to uproot the family and move to a new city for the first time in our marriage.
Moving and starting a new job is filled with stress. Getting married, generally a happy affair, involves lots of stress-producing moments too.
Counter-balancing stress helps us to celebrate the times of our life! 😀
Isn’t funny how we all want to let stress go, but are so seldom able to? Maybe it’s because we like it, in some form or another. Sometimes deadlines are met on time because of the stress! But, really, I know what you mean and agree.
Hanging on to stress is rather like part of the Harpo and Chico hat gag in Duck Soup – worth watching:
I can’t show you anything from Duck Soup without including one of the greatest comic scenes of all time. I cry every time I see it. This particular clip is followed by the scene from the old I Love Lucy when Lucy and Harpo do a “sort of” remake. You’ll see that Harpo drops the “hat of stress,” but grabs it back again. . .
Relieve some stress, everybody, and watch both videos for a great de-stressing LAUGH!!
Thanks for the clips, PTC. Life improves with LAUGHTER! 😀
Some people feed their Egos by feeling important. I’ve heard people BRAG about NOT taking a vacation for more than 12 years ~ wow! That’s just SAD. 🙄
Yeah – I used to wonder why people bragged about killing themselves – pastors are particularly prone to that sort of thing – but Ashley wasn’t and isn’t, that God! The only time we ever had to turn around and come home from a vacation was for the funeral for a very dear and beloved member of our congregation at the time. . .Fortunately, that time we only made it about 3 miles from home before we got the call. . .
Good for Ashley.
The partners in the first law firm I worked for LOVED calling associates back from vacation to “test” their commitment.
On two occasions, partners asked me to cancel long-standing vacation plans. Both times, I declined and calmly suggested they find someone else to help them out in my absence. 😀
Great tips, particularly the sleep one… yawn. Oh sorry!
I’m with you . . . my two loves in life ~ eating and sleeping. 😀
There is no love more sincere than the love of food. ~ George Bernard Shaw
Life seems to be so busy but we tend to forget how to relax and de-stress these days when we need it more than ever.
Thanks for the timely reminders Nancy.
Life comes at us FAST . . . we need to breathe deep and let stress fade away,
Aah . . . that’s better. 😀
This post was written for me! I can’t tell you how many of your posts I have clicked to my favorites. I am oh so aware of all these points, but reading them just makes me STOP and think. I am living a fairly stress free life but I am always looking for something to stress over. I know I do it and continue to work to change it. Also, good things/bad things. If I can keep my mind all busy with bad thoughts and anxiety I should be just as able to easily keep my mind busy and happy with good thoughts. Breathe. Relax. Repeat. ……No worries, mon!
Thanks! I am delighted that it resonated with you. I write most posts as reminders to me . . . to stay in the moment, to access the peace within, to use my imagination to my advantage, rather than my detriment.
It is SO EASY to get caught up in the one or two things we don’t like about our life . . . and end up wearing blinders with respect to the good that is all around us.
When we STOP and think . . . we start to see things as they are rather than as we are.
Aah . . . that’s better, mon! 😎
Once again, I’m being reminded that I need to get more exercise and practice some sort of relaxation technique! The stress of life are creeping in…
Perusing paintings for your daily pick could be a form of mindful relaxation ~ as the colors wash over you, let all but the images fade away.
Exercise probably requires a bit more movement and motion. 😀
Love, love love the cat photos… the funniest and cutest… I feel less stressed already. 🙂
Thanks, E! Looking at the stressed kitty . . . and then at the serene lion does the same for me.
I’m amazed at how you’ve caught up with so many posts. 😀