Stress Less

To stress less, be more! Easy to say, probably not so easy to do... To be more, one must learn to give more of our self. Be ready to help others, ready to lend a helping hand or a strong shoulder, when needed. Don't fool yourself- it is ALWAYS needed by someone, somewhere, sometime! Look around you and determine for yourself where your special kind of giving can be most utilized. I don't think you have to look very far, need could be in your own backyard! Take the time to comfort, cajole, create camaraderie or build & rebuild relationships. You will find that the more you do these types of things, the more you become and the less you stress.

Stress

I just read that April is now Stress Awareness Month. It is also, or has been- Alcohol Awareness Month... are these related? Probably. Compounded by April 15, getting the taxes done- VERY stressful indeed! April Showers bringing May Flowers, all but forgotten in this day and age. What to do about stress? Keep it Eustress- which is good stress. Easy to say, hard to do. The seemingly natural thing to do in response to stress, is to react turning it into a negative. Instead, try to respond to it in a positive way and look at the bright side, even if it is a very small, dimly lit corner. Think of your brain, when in times of stress and get help to balance the sometimes strong emotions and feelings which can wreak havoc on your hormones and neurotransmitters. Look for rapid relief in the form of meditation, yoga, tai chi, chi gong, biofeedback, neurofeedback, hypnotherapy, deep breathing, saunas, spas, massage or exercise. Look for a feel good therapy of some kind- being with a loved one, talking it out with someone who really cares, or being alone in your favorite place in nature all are good therapy.