Stress Relief Checklist
The bills are piling up, your daughter is about to have triplets (and she’s still living at home), you hate your job, and you feel fat.
Do we feel that that six-letter word is coming on too strong?
Oh, STRESS!! That word we feel we could do without…
I’ve taken my top ten stress relievers from my ebook 77 Stress Busters, and I’m offering them here to get you started right away. They are simple, affectionate and gentle ways to relieve stress.
You may want to print this Top 10 Checklist so you can choose which one works for you in those moments when you’re not sure which way to go.
1. Find the time in each day to do something for yourself. Take that long-awaited bubble bath or snuggle up with that book you’ve always wanted to flip through. Don’t put this off, train your brain that you should take time for yourself. Don’t feel guilty. Get a babysitter if necessary. Exchange with a friend sitting for the children.
2. Express your feelings in any way you can: eg journaling, poetry, storytelling, blogging, talking into a tape recorder about your creative ideas, singing a song, etc. Also, when explaining to another, don’t blame… Instead, say “I feel hurt when you say sarcastic things in front of my friends.” This takes the blame off the person and allows them to think about what they did.
3. Trust your intuition. Trust in God, creator of this universe, this spark within each of us that loves us enough to allow us free will.
4. Meditation allows the opening of the pituitary gland when combined with desire. When the pituitary opens, one becomes more intuitive because it is raised to a higher vibration (illuminates, meaning ‘in the light of’ or ‘in the knowledge of’). Having a pure vision reduces stress to a manageable level.
5. Make time for your body; your nails, trim your eyebrows, get a haircut, a facial, acupuncture, a dental check-up, a physical exam, etc. take care of your health, be careful with your temple
6. Read something informative, enjoyable, inspiring or educational. Learn to have a cheerful or neutral attitude (PRACTICE the ATTITUDE!)
7. Nutritional choices can certainly alleviate or increase stress levels. Abstaining from coffee, chocolate or high-sugar items, and fast foods can help reduce stress in difficult times. These types of foods only aggravate and increase stress. Dark green vegetables have calcium and magnesium that help balance an acidic body. Lightly cooked or even 2 ounces of juice can help achieve a more satisfying physical presence. A good multivitamin with no additives or fillers is recommended. Choose fruit over sugary junk food. Eating well frees up energy, allowing you to do more of what you love to do in life.
8. Affirmations put you in a positive state of mind. They also feed your subconscious mind. If your vibration is one of joy, your affirmation manifests itself in the physical quite quickly; if not, it takes more time. Create positive affirmations. Example: Every day I am stronger and healthier.
9. Organize your priorities on paper. What is important for you? Where do you see yourself in five years, two years and one year? Organize your paperwork, your files, your space and your life even if it’s five minutes a day! It all adds up!
10. Yes, take a moment and close your eyes. Take a long, deep breath and let it out slowly. Take another deep breath and let it out slowly. Take a third deep breath and imagine the word YES as you exhale. Feel what it DOES feel like as you breathe in and out. Now take a moment to do the same for the word NO. What difference did you feel? Most people feel expansive and free with the word YES and contractive or tense with the word NO. Try to practice how you feel when you experience YES. If you can wake up in the morning and keep this feeling, you will become more intuitive every day.
These are just a few of the tips included in my FREE eBook 77 Stress Busters. To receive the free book go to http://www.eternaljoy.org and to sign up for more stress-busting methods and discounts on teleclasses, training, and holistic courses through Holistic Healers Academy.
© 2009 Kristen Lauter