My Personal Insights:
Generally, most of us associate the month of October
with Halloween -- a time of witches and goblins. This
year it falls on a Friday, the day I watch my grandson; I
can't wait to go trick-or-treating with him! Personally, I
love haunted houses. I'm not really sure what it is
that's so much fun about being scared when you
know that there's really nothing to be scared of. It's
also a beautiful time of year when the leaves change.
But this October is also very unique -- there's been a
big change in our society and it's especially scary. So
this newsletter will be devoted to how to handle the
stress of it all.
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Staying Calm in the Storm
Any time there's change, it requires adjustment. And
any adjustment is going to be stressful -- even if it is a
positive one. But clearly, some changes are more
difficult than others as their consequences may be
more devastating. Large or small, negative or
positive, the one thing that remains constant is the
harsh reality that there is nothing that you can do to
control a situation (or another person). Yes -- that's a
hard pill to swallow.
The good news is that you do have control over the
way you react. When you stay calm, you have the
power to consider alternatives and make better
decisions. By choosing the path of not over-reacting,
you have also allowed yourself to not waste your
precious time and energy where it will not serve.
Rather, place it in those areas where you can still reap
enjoyment and satisfaction!
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Choice Tips:
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- Limit how much news you listen to, read, or
watch.
- When you become aware that you are getting
anxious, do slow breathing exercises: take in a long,
slow breath through your nose into your rib cage, hold
it to the count of four and release it slowly through
slightly opened lips to the count of four.
- When feelings of fear arise, accept that you have
these fears but do not concentrate on them. Use
distractions or other activities to move you away from
fears that serve no useful purpose.
- Gain information about what options you have
about your particular financial situation and ways to
maximize your assets as well as minimize your
expenditures.
- Talk to your mate about possible courses of
action.
- Be supportive of one another, but do not dwell on
anxieties and fears as that will only escalate them.
- Remember to still enjoy the small things in life
and one another. Maintaining a positive attitude is key
in dealing with stress.
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Additional Resources I Recommend:
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An inspirational story on the internet that I think relates
to this newsletter:
Click here to Read!
Carlson, R. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff--and it's all
small stuff (Hyperion, 1996)
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Empowering Tools and Information:
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I know that it seems that stress just overtakes you,
that you can't help feeling the tension that you do.
However, whether you succumb to this feeling or not
is really a choice. Hear me discuss this on my CD
(also available as an MP3 download), "Choosing to
Live a Stress-less Life."
Learn More About It Here!
I've also written about "Stress" in 101 Great Ways
to Improve Your Life, Vol. 2. Aside from my
chapter, there are 100 other chapters to add tips on
ways to make your life much better! Learn more about
this book
here.
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