Less Stress - Free At Long Last

We all know that there is more to happiness than reducing the stress in life, it no doubt helps! While I don't think that I know anyone without chaos in their household, it does seem that some people handle the chaotic times better than others. I always marvel at their relaxed approach to balancing a hectic life without breaking a sweat. Do they just have a low-key relaxed personality? Do they meditate? Take valiums? Drink? What is their secret? They must of inherited a calm, cool gene, that's it, my parents are at fault of course.

Perhaps some of the above hold true, because generally speaking, in life, there are usually more than one contributing factors to any state of mind - including happiness! I truly don't believe that removing all the stress in life would necessarily create happiness, boredom maybe, but stress can also act as a great motivator. Like most emotions, a certain amount of stress is vital to the supreme balance of things. How do we know how relaxed or calm feels if we have never encountered stress?

The key seems to be found in the way we view our universe. I know this sounds cliche but the old adage about the glass being half full or half empty seems to ring true here, confirming that if a positive attitude can somehow overshadow its negative counterpart then you may have a less stress moment on the way.
It really is all a state of mind! Some people seem to have the ability to take control of life: as masters of their fate, rather than the victims of circumstance.

Don't misunderstand my message - I am Nancy Negativity from way back...Poor me, Why me...and I really did spend hours trying to figure out why God chose me to experience such unpleasantries.
Gradually, I started to take more responsibility for my misfortunes, writing a journal each day helped me to discover how completely pessimistic I was. Sometimes you become so caught up in your own cycle of defeat that you don't even realize how you are sabotaging your life...as the years fly by. Then I had to slowly force myself to look at my actions through a more positive lense. And I do mean force! They say 21 days to break a habit but I think it takes a lifetime of effort to refocus your attitude and learn to believe in yourself.
When you view the stressors of your life as a challenge rather than a threat, you tend to come up with more effective solutions and feel more exhilarated (rather than drained) as you tackle these circumstances.

Happiness, How?

What Is Happiness?


Science says that happiness is 50 percent genetic, 10 percent circumstances, and 40 percent intentional activity (i.e., what you do). With so much happiness attributed to your own actions, it makes sense to do things that make you feel good.
Easier said than done, no doubt - especially when you can't see past your own dread, which can be addictive itself, believe me-I have been there. When you find yourself it a funk rut, and you actually can not remember the last time you laughed, I mean really laughed, this negative outlook can actually become your comfort zone! Anything else is actually foreign and it feels terrifying, but try to look at it this way: What do you have to lose? You couldn't feel any worse and I promise these excercises are not dangerous....
Take a deep breath and give one or all of these a try (If I can do it-you can do it!):
 
1.) Excercise helps release endorphins which will boost your spirits immediately. There are so many different excercise regimes out there I can't even count them all but I am certain that there is one for you! Look for one that will target issues that you need to work on like relaxation, weight loss or strength building. I discovered my favorite quite by accident one day while listening to the radio. In my search for an inspiring tune, I found several that had me up and dancing in no time. Surprise! My endorphins were so thrilled that I did not want to stop and my mood was lifted instantly. Click here for more excercise benefits!
 
2.) Do something nice for someone-you know, show random acts of kindness? It is absolutely amazing how humbling this is, and it will remind you that perhaps, you are actually very fortunate and have so much to be grateful for. But we all need a little reminder now and then so get up and get busy! Volunteer to teach something to a group of young people who otherwise wouldn't have a chance to take a private piano lesson or afford a foreign language tutor. Love animals? Check out the local wildlife rescue and be a critter's hero. We all have something that we can share, if you need help finding the best match check out Volunteer Match, there are many helpful tasks that you can do without even leaving home! That's what I call room service! http://www.volunteermatch.org/
 
3.) What makes you happy? Write about it. Start a daily journal and write down your feelings about daily occurances-positive, negative, happy or sad. In retrospect, we can actually learn quite a bit about ourselves and our goals just by reading about our behavior. Another plus? It is a very cost-effective way to obtain therapy. Like Dr. Phil says, we can't change what we don't acknowledge... You don't have to be a Dr. Phil fan to objectively reflect on your own life.