stress – Page 5 – Personal Growth Cafe

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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December 28, 2017

A little preparation takes me a long way in easing strain and stress.

Being prepared makes living my life easier. I am so glad that I have discovered ways to effectively manage my everyday life.

Choosing to proactively prepare for the day is such a simple way for me to remove stress from my life.

Just a little preparation can make such a big difference in my attitudes and perspectives.

Every morning, I take a few moments to review my commitments for the day. I also jot down a list of things I need to accomplish so I can stay focused on my goals.

Knowing my deadlines and prioritizing my tasks is an effective way to ease the strain in my life.

When I have an important deadline approaching, I enlist the help of others. I also make schedules and set aside time to work on the project.

Making clear plans and feeling like I am in control is a great way to ease anxiety.

Since I take actions to keep my projects on schedule, I am confident that I can reach my goals. Preparing for success ensures that I succeed.

The stress I once had in my life is gone because I have taken proactive steps toward organizing my life.

Anxiety can be prevented. I am so relieved to have found systems that help me manage my life.

I am ready for any project and each task I approach seems more manageable.

Preparation is a useful tool that I implement in my life. I am ready to succeed because I am prepared.

How do you prepare for the tasks and projects in your life?

How does preparation ease your stress and strain?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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December 18, 2017

The Aftermath of Burnout: How to Rejuvenate Yourself

If you’ve recently suffered burnout, you’ll likely be looking for ways to restore your peace, health, and happiness.

It’s important to treat yourself lovingly after such a trauma to your system so you don’t develop chronic health conditions.

Burnout can cause all sorts of mental and emotional issues, including anxiety and depression.

You should try to recognize the signs that lead to burnout, but this may not always be possible.

If you concentrate on restoring yourself after burnout, you can avoid these issues and get your true self back.

Consider these burnout tips to help you regain your strength:

1. Find a new direction. The best, most permanent, way of dealing with burnout is to focus on making sustainable life changes.

Ask yourself whether or not you’re happy in your current situation. Perhaps it’s time to make a major life shift, such as a new career or downsizing your home.

2. Take a break. It’s best to get away from the situation that has caused you to burn out.

This may mean going out for a walk and getting away for a few hours, or it may mean giving yourself a full blown vacation.

You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money for a vacation.

Your goal is to relax and clear your mind. You can certainly do this at home or in your local community.

3. Solve the problem. If you’re currently in the middle of a stressful situation, take action to solve the problem right away as best as you can.

Consider the possible solutions to the problem and ask for help from others if necessary.

4. Gain control. Take control of the situation where possible. Realize that you can solve your problems and you’re not doomed to remain in this state forever.

Also, have the wisdom to accept that there are situations that are beyond your control.

Do what you can to improve your situation, but avoid worrying about the things out of your control.

5. Be open and honest. Sometimes it’s best to set your pride aside and ask for help when you need it.

Open up about the issues you’re facing with a close friend or relative. If that’s not an option for you, seek the help of a counselor.

6. Stress Management

If burnout tends to be a common occurrence for you, it would be in your best interest to start studying some stress management techniques.

There are certain things you can do to combat stress:

Don’t take on too much at work or at home.

Remember that you can – and should – tell people “no.”

Make time for yourself.

Ask for help from others.

Know Your Warning Signs

Once you’ve suffered burnout, you’ll certainly want to know how you can avoid a similar situation in the future.

Study the factors that led to burnout, and identify your mistakes so you can avoid making them again in the future.

In the End

These strategies will help you regain peace with yourself. If there are any outstanding issues that you need to resolve, seek solutions so you can achieve peace.

You can do so through self-reflection, prayer, meditation, and communication. And once you do, you’ll avoid burnout altogether!

What happens when you feel burnt out?

How can you regain energy through a tough day?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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November 28, 2017

9 Ways to Enjoy the Holidays without Stress

While the holidays have the power to bring some of the most joyful times in your life, they can also be the cause of a great deal of stress.

The stress can stem from many different situations such as family disagreements, scheduling conflicts, and money issues.

No matter what situation your stress is coming from, it’s important to take a step back from the stress to hold onto your sanity.

Try following some or all of the following tips:

1. Get Your Shopping Done Early. When you get your shopping out of the way early, you can save yourself stress on a number of levels.

You won’t be battling other shoppers during peak shopping times. You won’t have to worry about making split second decisions on gifts.

You’ll also have the time to craft a budget to help make your money stretch to the best of your ability.

2. Take Time to Yourself. We often take the time to think of others during the holidays. While that’s very important to maintain, you can’t forget about yourself in the process.

Remember to schedule “me” time and concentrate on winding down. In order to take good care of others, you first have to take care of your own health and well being.

3. Keep a Cool Head. While it may not be a problem with every family, sometimes the togetherness causes conflicts and clashing.

Before you enter a family holiday event, tell yourself that you’ll take the high road. You don’t want an argument to ruin your chance at fun during the holidays.

4. Keep Up Your Exercise Routine. Sometimes the thrill of the holiday season can disrupt your daily routines.

While a little break from exercise might not make a big difference in your physique, it might make a difference when it comes to your stress level.

Try to keep up some form of exercise, as it will provide you with a release from stress.

5. Watch your Diet. It’s not fair to yourself to completely avoid indulging around the holidays, but at the same time you should always remain in control.

Watch what you’re putting into your body, because large amounts of certain foods can definitely affect how you feel. The two big ones to watch are caffeine and sweets.

6. Buy Yourself a Present. While you’ve been budgeting money for everyone else, there’s no reason why you can’t buy yourself a little something.

After all, you’re sure to be getting something that you want. You can even schedule yourself a massage, which is an excellent way to maintain a healthy stress level.

7. Get Enough Rest. The excitement definitely kicks in during the holidays. Sometimes you’ll lose sleep because of stress, and sometimes you’ll lose sleep because of excitement.

Either way, you’ll be doing yourself a favor by concentrating on relaxation and getting to bed at a good hour.

If you start a pattern of getting less than 8 hours of sleep per night, you could be setting yourself up for stress without even really knowing it.

8. Learn to Delegate. If you come to the realization that you’ve been put in charge of too many things, don’t pile on the stress – instead, delegate the tasks.

Be wise enough to know when you need some help and ask for it. You can even get the kids involved with certain preparations.

9. Be Flexible. Of course you have an image in your head of how you’d like certain holiday events to play out.

You also know that things don’t always go according to plan. Realize that certain things will not be perfect, and you won’t feel so much stress if things do go wrong.

Go with the flow and have back up plans if necessary.

How can the holiday season cause you stress?

Which among the tips above can help make your season fun and bright?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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November 26, 2017

7 Tips for Staying Within Your Budget

For many people, staying within a budget can be challenging.

If keeping to your budget seems like an insurmountable task, you’ll be happy to know that there are ways to stretch your budget and still enjoy a quality lifestyle.

Some budgets may work well with your lifestyle, while others may not. If you find that one technique is difficult, all is not lost!

Other techniques may be a better fit, which can then lead to the financial freedom you desire.

Consider the following tips for staying within your budget:

1. Put Your Credit Cards Away. You can even freeze your cards in water if it’ll deter you from using them!

It’s so easy to forget the true costs of the things you buy when you just swipe your card.

Don’t feel guilty about falling for this trick; the easiest way to combat it is to keep your cards hidden away. Only bring them out when they’re truly needed.

2. Make Envelopes. Grab a stack of envelopes, mark each one with a designated expense, and put in your allotted allowance for each expense.

It’s easy to stay on track when the money for your bills is pre-counted and away from reach.

3. Use Cash. It’ll help you see the true value of what you’re spending if you only use cash.

If you don’t like handling money, you could opt for using your debit card. Just remember to stay on top of your balance so you don’t overdraw your account.

4. Cut Back. Believe it or not, there are usually ways you can cut back without even feeling much of a difference.

Take some time out of your weekend to call up the cable company, the phone company, or your cell phone company.

Discuss different lower cost plans. Maybe you don’t use all of your cell phone minutes each month or perhaps you can live without HBO.

5. Grocery Shopping. There are certain luxury items that some people opt to place in their budgets, while others won’t.

However, a grocery bill is something that everyone shares.

Analyze how much you spend each week at the grocery store and see if you can bring down the average amount.

Coupon clipping and warehouse shopping are great places to start.

6. Budget for a Splurge Item. Treat yourself to something special every once in awhile while still staying in your budget.

While you may not be able to afford it too often, you can save up some money for a special treat for yourself.

It may be something you’ve been meaning to get or maybe you just want some money to hit up the town or go to a movie.

The point is, if you’ve budgeted for this it won’t be a shock when you balance the books later.

7. Homemade Gifts. There are always many holidays throughout the year where you’re expected to deliver gifts for your loved ones.

If you’re tight with cash, don’t forget about homemade gifts.

These gifts are most often considered more thoughtful than anything you could have purchased.

For example, make a scrapbook or photo album.

While there’s some cost involved, the finished product will be priceless – yet far less than the latest gadget.

Keep Tweaking

If you’re still having trouble balancing the budget, it’s important to keep trying new things until you have a system that makes you feel comfortable.

Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. A financial planner or financial counselor can give you even more valuable ideas.

With the right techniques, a budget can be the tool that brings you freedom!

How hard is it to stay on budget during the holidays?

How can you be happy and stress-free during this budget squeezing time of the year?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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November 24, 2017

5 Ways to Survive the Holiday Shopping Season

The holiday shopping season can be a real source of stress for many reasons: money strain, crippling pressure, and conflict inside and outside of the malls.

There are too many things you need to attend to in such a short amount of time that it’s just too stressful!

However, there are ways to minimize your stress level and stay on budget.

Try some of these simple holiday shopping tips:

1. Shop Early. It’s extremely satisfying and rewarding to complete your tasks early.

You eliminate nearly all of the holiday stress, unless you have some big entertaining to do.

Even in that case you can plan early so you know exactly what to do and when.

While you might miss out on some of the holiday deals by shopping early, the truth is that there are sales all the time if you just look.

2. Write a Shopping List. If you preplan all of your shopping, you’ll stay organized and you’ll stay on budget.

Make a list of every person that will be receiving a gift from you. Also, list other items you need to shop for such as decorations or food items.

Give yourself a preliminary budget for item. You’ll likely have different budgets for, say, a colleague at the office versus your children.

Remember that children sometimes place value in the “number” of presents they receive.

While it’s a good idea to teach them that it’s the gift and togetherness that matters, you probably don’t want to have drastic differences in the amount of presents that each child gets.

3. Get In and Out. If you must shop during peak times, try to have at least an idea about the items you’re looking for.

If you’re shopping with a friend and the line is super long, you can even have a friend wait in line while you shop.

This will help you to “get in and out” without the expected long delays.

If you must shop alone try getting to the store at the time of opening. As long as they’re not advertising door busters, you shouldn’t have the problem with long lines.

4. Shop Online. Shopping online can be a great alternative; you might not even need to go into a store at all.

If you’d rather see the items before shipping, you can even shop at your favorite store online and set up in-store pick up.

Shopping online is great for comparison shopping for staying on budget. You know what something should cost because you can quickly see the price at several different stores.

5. Shop Safe. Whether shopping online or in-store, you need to remember to stay safe.

When you’re shopping in-store remember to keep your credit cards safe and if you’re paying cash, don’t bring it all out of your wallet at once.

Shopping online is safer than you might think, but it’s still important to use your instincts and shop smart.

If you stick with major retailers, they have plenty of safety measures taken care of for your shopping experience.

If you’re unsure about the site you’re shopping on, do some more research into the company and make sure that they’re using secure carts.

Remember to stay on budget and take frequent breaks from the stress.

Holiday shopping can actually be a fun time if you plan carefully. Now it’s on to the gift wrapping!

How excited are you to start your Christmas shopping?

How can shopping be fun for you this holiday season?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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November 20, 2017

My planning takes away the sting of potential problems and undue stress.

I am prepared for my responsibilities and obligations and therefore I avoid unnecessary conflicts and stress.

I have an active and busy life that I thoroughly enjoy. I am able to enjoy all my activities and obligations because I take the time to plan and prepare my schedule.

Because of this, I am better prepared for any unforeseen issues that arise. My careful planning allows me to fully enjoy all the activities in my life.

I really enjoy keeping busy and having a variety of activities going on in my life because I am an active person.

I am better able to use my time when I carefully plan out my day and week. I am able to see what I need to do and when it needs to get done by. I am an organized person.

I am able to fit things into my schedule when they come up because I can re-arrange things if I need to. I am a productive person.

People know they can count on me to keep my obligations and responsibilities. I am a reliable person.

I avoid undue stress because I take the time to plan things out. I am a calm person.

Today, like every day, I choose to carefully plan my schedule. I am prepared for any sudden changes and I am able to meet all my obligations and responsibilities.

I enjoy feeling productive and I am able to enjoy my active life without undue stress.

How have you prepared your daily and weekly schedule?

How have you left room for sudden changes or fun?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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November 10, 2017

I like the way I handle stressful situations.

I do not fear stressful situations because I know I handle them in a healthy and productive way.

I feel good about the way I handle stressful situations because I am strong and accomplished.

I take pride that I can rise to the top when there is a situation that is difficult to handle. I am able to remain calm and assess the problem at hand quickly and effectively.

I intuitively understand what is going on and what needs to happen in order to resolve the problem quickly. I have a skilled and steady hand that can overcome any tense dilemma.

Taking charge of challenging situations and delegating responsibilities to others is my specialty. My strong suit in life is how I am able to handle stressful situations with ease.

Today I will take on any challenges that arise and I do so with patience and diligence.

I take pride in how I handle challenging circumstances and I will take necessary measures to smooth out difficulties.

How comfortable do you feel in handling stressful situations?

Who will you delegate responsibilities to during times of stress?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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October 25, 2017

Combating Mental Fatigue

Mental fatigue can definitely take its toll on a person’s well-being. It can actually be worse than physical fatigue because of a person’s inability to think clearly or express their feelings and frustrations.

Worse still, mental stress is known to cause physical fatigue and illness, too!

Mental fatigue or exhaustion may be a result of your work, family life, conflict, or even a lack of quality sleep.

If you have to make an important decision, mental stress can take its toll on you and can even lead to severe depression. This is all the more reason to avoid the consequences and implement strategies to overcome mental fatigue!

How to Relax your Mind and Boost your Energy

Relaxation is absolutely necessary to relieve mental stress and rejuvenate your body and mind. You’re probably thinking, “How am I going to do that?”

Well, it’s easy. Here are some tips to help you reduce mental exhaustion and start implementing a relaxation routine:

Take time out for yourself. Spend time in a quiet room where you can reflect and get in touch with your spiritual side. Everyone has a different way of self-reflection.Some pray or meditate, others write in a journal or diary, while others simply allow their thoughts to gently release into the darkness and quietness of the room.

Get plenty of sleep. Mental fatigue can exist no matter how much sleep you get, but sleep does help refresh your body and mind.Getting adequate sleep will eliminate a lot of your day-to-day stress. After all, the body will have a chance to repair itself and recharge.

Free your mind from the problems that swirl around you. Take your mind off of those things that are causing you stress by working on a puzzle or spending time with friends and family.Or perhaps you need to go out for a nice dinner or weekend getaway to free your mind.

Exercise regularly. Exercise causes your brain to release endorphins, which are known to make you feel happy. It’s like the body’s natural “high.” Even if all you can do is take a 15-minute walk, take it. That can be great alone time for you.

Try breathing exercises. When things get rough, take deep breaths in through your nose, hold it for 10 seconds, then release. You’ll notice that this will relieve tension.
Take a day in which you can do things by yourself. Take yourself out to a movie, go to a museum or art gallery, or do something you’ve always wanted to do but never made time for. In doing so, you’ll be able to enjoy the peace and quiet of being alone.

Implementing Your Own Strategies

These are just some of the strategies to combat mental fatigue. You may have some other methods that help you relax and find peace in your life.

Once you begin integrating these simple exercises into your day, you will begin to feel the weight lifted of your shoulders and before you know it, you’ll feel like a brand new person!

What is the best way for you to relax yourself?

How can fighting mental fatigue help you become more productive and efficient in your daily activities?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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