Stress – Page 5 – Personal Growth Cafe

May 19, 2018January 7, 2018

Battling and Overcoming Stress During the Holidays

Battling and overcoming stress during the holidays can be a challenge to anyone.

There are a number of things that can lead to this type of stress:

Family gatherings
Coping with loss
Busy stores
Long lines
Projects
Gift buying
ConflictsYou may also have high expectations that add to the stress of your holiday season.

Long gone are the days in which the season was highly anticipated and there was a sense of magic in the air.

As an adult, you may find the season to be more stressful than joyous.

Unfortunately, these days, you may even consider holiday stress as a necessary holiday tradition!

Here are some methods you can use to battle and overcome stress during the holidays:

Are you over committed?

The holidays normally come with many social gatherings that most of us feel we must attend.

The fact is that you don’t have to go to every event you’re invited to.

Saying “no thank you” to some of the invitations will free up more time for yourself!

It’s important to remember and enjoy the spirit of the holidays.

If it takes saying “no” to preserve some of your sanity, go for it!

Others will be more understanding than you give them credit for.

Don’t become so burdened that you secretly wish for the season to pass quickly.

Take time to be by yourself.

Whether you take a yoga class or a bubble bath, allow yourself to do something enjoyable without worrying about the holiday stress.

Carrying on traditions. Growing up, we may have seen our mothers cook a full course Christmas dinner.

Perhaps it was routine to host a lavish holiday party. Maybe your family baked hundreds of Christmas cookies to give to friends and relatives.

Tradition is good but don’t allow yourself to become so wrapped up in tradition that it consumes you.

If you find that the routine you normally follow for the pure and simple sake of tradition is weighing on you and resulting in more stress than you can deal with, break away from it!

You will be happier when you’re free from this stress.

Rather than living up to the expectations of years past, start your own, easy-going traditions.

Instead of throwing a lavish party, have fewer friends over for tea and cookies.

Allow other family members to bring side dishes to the holiday meal rather than cooking it all yourself.

Finding the perfect gift. There’s so much pressure to purchase the perfect gift for each person that it takes all the fun out of shopping.

Remember, people are generally appreciative for whatever gift they receive.

They don’t expect you to go to every corner of the Earth to find them a spectacular gift.

Save time and money by skipping the wrapping! Creativity is the main focus.

You can even give gifts that can be used throughout the year.

For example, you may give a coupon in a card for a free night of babysitting, one day of yard work, or other special things.

Shopping online has made searching for gifts much easier.

It might also be more cost effective to buy online because many stores offer special sales or free shipping near the holidays.

As you can see, there are several effective ways to battle and overcome stress during the holidays.

The key is to determine what’s causing your stress so you can eliminate it.

In the end, you’ll see that most of the stress you experience is a result of the expectations you pose on yourself.

What are the common causes of your stress during the holidays?

How can you bring more joy instead of stress to your holidays this year?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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February 17, 2018January 5, 2018

I release things that have held me back. I have no use for them.

I can finally let go of the things that have impeded me from moving forward.

I have a direction in life and I have goals to achieve.

I will reach my destinations and my goals.

All hindrances are behind me; I have let go of them.

I am free now to move into the positive directions I have set out for myself in my life.

I forge on, moving forward without fear or blocks.

I have let go of all of the things that were holding me back in life.

I am living a positive, free life and I am simply who I am.

I let go of the need to be a particular way for anyone else and this frees me.

I let go of the need to put too many expectations on myself because they are a hindrance to my momentum and success.

I can achieve my goals in the time that I am supposed to; I let go of timelines that hold me back.

I let go of pushing myself until I am exhausted; this does not benefit my mind or my body.

I give myself the rest and time I need to have more energy to be a productive person.

Today, I let go of the things in life that are holding me back.

I replace these things with an overabundance of positive energy.

I can move at my own pace and let go of an unrealistic timetable.

I will be myself at all times and let go of being different to different people.

Today I live without blocks or bondage.

How have you let go of the things that hold you back?

How have you looked at what may be making you feel under pressure?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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January 29, 2018January 5, 2018

I am able to combat stress by talking things out with others.

When a situation is causing me stress, I speak up for myself instead of letting things get bottled up inside of me.

I am not afraid to tell people how I feel. Talking things out with others opens avenues for better communication.

I have the right to be heard.

I have the right to express my point of view and for others to listen because I have valid things to say.

However, those rights also carry the responsibility to be respectful in my speech.

If someone is doing something that upsets me, I can speak to them respectfully without losing my temper.

I am in control of my emotions.

My emotions are not in control of me.

I choose to use my words in stressful situations.

Often, I find that I am stressed because I misunderstood something that was said.

Open lines of communication help to minimize confusion.

I work better when I feel like I am understood by others.

I stay away from violence because it solves nothing.

Violence only leads me to feel more stressed than before.

It leaves me feeling embarrassed and defeated.

When I want to be understood, gentle words are my main form of defense.

I have a vast vocabulary and sharp communication skills because I am an educated individual.

I use these tools when I am involved in a dispute.

My vocabulary is sprinkled with kindness.

When I speak with gentleness, others are more than willing to reach an agreement with me.

How can you use words to combat stress?

What has stopped you from talking things out with others in the past?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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January 4, 2018January 3, 2018

I react well in the presence of chaos.

January 3, 2018

I challenge myself to be calm in order to release daily pressures.

January 3, 2018

I can confine my concerns into a manageable format.

January 2, 2018

I am fully capable of managing any challenge that comes my way.

January 2, 2018

Deadlines do not scare me. I let go of worry and concentrate on getting things done.

I am relaxed when faced with deadlines because I plan ahead and break my task into manageable pieces.

I know that procrastination only makes things more difficult for me, so I start on a project as early as I can in order to ease the pressure as the deadline approaches.

I let go of the idea that things will just come together and instead take the time to make solid plans.

I decide early if I’m going to need more supplies, more research, or more help.

This way I have the time to find just what I need in a relaxed and thoughtful manner.

I organize my steps, dividing the task into pieces that I know I can handle.

I am far more productive when I choose to do a little bit every day, than if I save it all for a last minute crunch.

I know when to delegate and have people lined up who can help me if, despite my best efforts, I find myself in a bind near the end of a project.

Because I have taken the time to help them when they were the ones in need, I know I will be able to count on them to help me.

I am proactive. By approaching each project with care and thoughtfulness, I am confident that I will be able to reach full completion without undue worry.

How do you give yourself time to deal with unexpected issues that might arise?

Have you fostered a team mentality by your own willingness to help others so you can get help when you need it?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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December 29, 2017

Because I am organized, I am able to minimize my daily stress.

I take the necessary time to be organized because I know that doing so minimizes my daily stress.

While it is sometimes tempting to rush into a work week or a project, I recognize that my time is like money; I have to spend some to gain some.

I organize my time to facilitate my goals by pruning off activities that drain me of my time and energy.

I recognize that, like everyone else, my time is not limitless. I choose to set aside specific times for those activities that are important to me and I let the rest go.

I set aside time at the beginning of each project to make sure I have a clear picture of where I am going and that I have the resources I need to get there.

This way I don’t end up whittling it away on pointless and avoidable activities.

For example, I see no point in wasting time hunting for my keys each morning, so I set a basket by the door to drop them in each night.

Supplies are stocked and organized by my desk to prevent wasted time and distraction when I am in the middle of my work.

A weekly menu eliminates waste when I shop and minimizes my time in the kitchen.

I take a few minutes to do each of these things on a periodic basis so I can have more time to focus on what is truly important in my life.

What excuses do you give yourself for not being organized?

What frequent time wasters can be minimized or eliminated?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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December 29, 2017

Coping With Bad News

Let’s face the facts: life is full of both good and bad surprises.

You can’t live your life worried about bad news, otherwise you’ll paralyze yourself in fear.

Instead, you need to become more resilient and learn how to expect the unexpected.

You really can learn how to cope with unexpected news and become a stronger, more confident person in times of pressure.

Let’s go through some ways to make coping with the unexpected easier.

Expect the Unexpected

Have you ever gotten a call from a friend who cancels a get-together you were looking forward to?

This is an extremely trivial example of unexpected news, but it represents what we all deal with on a daily basis.

You may feel disappointed or frustrated, especially if you spent time preparing for the event, but you have two choices: move on and make the best of the day, or allow it to sour your mood and hold you back.

Ask yourself: what do you typically do when you encounter the unexpected?

Well, instead of allowing the change of plans to ruin your day, try to get your mind busy onto something else.

Is there a fun activity that you can do at home?

Is there something you can do for yourself or your family?

You can make the best of things by turning the unexpected into a new opportunity.

Build a Solid Support System

Another way to deal with unexpected news is to turn to your support system. Bad news can come with great pain.

If you get the news that someone has passed away, for example, this is something that is going to cause you deep pain and suffering.

Of course, it’s normal to feel these very real emotions.

In these times it is important for you to turn to those around you for support.

You may need someone to talk to, someone to cry with, or even a helping hand.

It’s crucial that surround yourself with positive influences instead of isolating yourself.

Using the Power of the Mind to Cope with Bad News

Positive affirmations are another way that you can cope with unexpected news.

Affirmations are concise statements that you can use to help you think in a more positive manner.

When bad news is overwhelming you and you don’t know how to cope, you can stop and say:

“In times of crisis, I am safe because I have a well thought out recovery plan waiting to be launched.”

“I challenge myself to be calm in order to release daily pressures.”

When you say these phrases aloud, you’re reaffirming the statement in your mind and you’re re-focusing your energy on solutions, instead of worries.

Whether you believe it or not, words have power.

Repeating these affirmations may console you and remind you about your strength during difficult situations.

When you use positive affirmations and the other coping techniques mentioned, you will find that you are more confident to deal with whatever life throws your way.

Remember, it’s okay to be afraid of uncertainty, but you can equip yourself with the tools, techniques, and support system to overcome any obstacle, challenge, or situation.

How do you face the challenges you encounter daily?

How can your attitude affect how you react to these experiences?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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