** Use Your Head to Reduce Your Stress

[Guest guest]

" Use Your Head to Reduce Your Stress "

By Suzanne Zoglio, Ph.D. **

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1) Just for a day, carry an index card with you. Every time a self-limiting

thought like " I'll never get ??? " pops into your head, turn it into a strategy

statement. Example: " I'll never get promoted. " Change to " I'll probably get

promoted if I do a bang-up job on this new project. "

2) Learn to turn every complaint (yours or anyone else's) into a question.

Complaints are statements of defeat. Questions -on the other hand- beg to

be answered and send you on a solution search. For example, if you catch

yourself saying, " Everyone's in a rotten mood today! " (A complaint), turn it

into a question: " What can I do to lighten things up? "

3) Watch your language! Especially when you talk to yourself. The next time you

trip up, notice what you say. " Idiot! Jerk! You always do that! "

Stop right in the middle of the verbal self-abuse, and ask what you would say to

a good friend who had just made the same mistake. More likely, it would be:

" Hey, you did the best you could under the circumstances. "

4) The next time you want to do something but feel you shouldn't, ask:

" Why not? " or " What's the harm? " Once you consider the options instead of

just reacting in a knee-jerk fashion, you'll find a way.

5) Conversely, when you find yourself thinking, " I don't want to, but I really

should, " think again! Don't just say, " yes " out of habit. Is the request

appropriate? Are you the right person? Can you negotiate a later deadline? If

you can't say, " Yes, I'd be happy to " and mean it, don't take

it on! Be creative and negotiate. Or be tactful, and decline.

6) When your mind is operating at a breakneck speed, and you feel like your

life is careening out of control, stop for a 1-minute " planning " break. Write

down the top ten things you have to get done today. Then rank each item: 1-3 in

order of how important it really is. Now start tackling

the #1s. No fair giving all 1's. Prioritize, or get help!

7) At least three times a day, take a one-minute retreat. " Stand still, take

five slow, deep belly-breaths(inhale to the count of 6, release to the count of

6. Stop for 1 minute of centered breathing " ¦and you'll be more

efficient following ...honest!

8) Next time you find yourself playing the " blame game " - " She makes my blood

boil " or " That jerk ruined my day " or " This place depresses me. Consider the

power you're giving away. You can't control annoying people, but you can control

how you respond. No one can stress you without your

help. Either shake it off, or take action to improve the situation. But don't

empower " the enemy " by getting stressed.

9) When your brain screams, " Hurry up. You're not doing enough, " check your

expectations. Is your to-do list truly doable? Have you stopped to review your

" done " list? Just one self-pat on the back will remind you that you're making

progress. Go from task to task without any pause for

applause and you'll end up feeling overworked, under-appreciated, and

incompetent.

10) Feed your esteem. If you want less stress, you'll have to tame your brain.

Start each day with an affirming statement: " I'm prepared, pumped, and

competent " or " It's the start of a great new day. " Remember, your

surroundings are bombarding you all day long with subtle and not-so-subtle

messages of how " challenging " things are. Start running your own tapes of hope,

confidence, and appreciation for what's right in your day!

About the Author:

Suzanne Zoglio is a motivational speaker and author of Create A Life That

Tickles Your Soul " (named " Outstanding Book of the Year " and " Most

Life-Changing " in the Independent Publisher Book Awards 2000). FREE motivational

newsletter at http://www.tickleyoursoul.com

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AffirmationstoDe-Stress

A positive thinking, positive affirmations support group, that discusses ways to

cope with the stresses of daily life. Come aboard! PJ and Gang