Is Stress getting the Best Of You?

It's that time of year again. The days are getting shorter (literally) yet our lists of "to do" is not getting smaller. Holidays can be stressful on so many levels for people.
These last 6 weeks of the year come and go like a whirlwind , and while they are blowing through, they may be stirring up many feelings.

Stress starts coming at you as you spend money on gifts and/or worry about not having enough money to spend on gifts.
-A lot of unhealthy foods are served
-Many Holiday parties lead to too much food and alcohol
-Time constraints are heavy. We become even more over-scheduled at this time
-Parents of Teens may feel the pull from school sports, which don't allow for to much vacation time
-Memories of Loved ones that are not with us can become a focus, causing you to feel sad
-Thoughts of what you don't have may surface
-New Year's resolutions come full circle, and if you fell off the path to yours, feelings of inadequacies may surface.
-Weight Gain through this holiday also may cause depression
-People tend to be very hard on themselves for lack of restraint

These above stresses are just some of the conscious causes of stress. Hidden stresses are present too. These are things such as exercise, what and when you are eating, chemical stresses , sleeping patterns and many other things that also add to the pot.

I could go on and on, but the list will change depending on who's reading this.

My advice is to try and focus on the positive of each and every potential stress causing event. There can't be bad in the world or in your life, without good. Both exist with each other in balance. It's Yin and Yang. It's all a matter of how we deal with our own circumstances.

Here are some suggestions for keeping yourself calm and grounded through this season.

Be thankful for challenges and general conflict. These problems are usually temporary, and if not, there are many ways to learn from them. Optimally, you will want to learn from a challenge, and if necessary make changes from your inner core. There will also be many beautiful and perfect days. The key is keeping a balance in your mind and heart, knowing that you can overcome anything through your intention to change.
Tips to deal with stressful situations:

1. Breathe Deeply - taking a deep breath naturally relaxes your body and mind. Breathe in deeply through your nose and exhale with small force, through slightly parted lips. 10 of these breathes literally resets your nervous system, helping you to reground yourself.
2. Remember that your situation is temporary moment in time and will pass. You may feel more control realizing you have the power to change it. Change your thoughts on the subject, WILL CHANGE THE OUTCOME too. At least it will change your perceived stress level of the problem.
3. Take a walk, run, or include other methods of exercise into your life. This will allow your body to release tension.
4. Remember to take care of you. Nothing makes a stressful situation worse, than being run down and being on automatic pilot. Life takes thought. Write down your goals for your sanity and what steps you will take to accomplish them.
5. Take a moment to find some quiet every day. Take time to set your Intentions for the Day. Doing so will help you to refocus and feel more in control of your life.
6. Listen to relaxing music, be outside or use a guided meditation CD.

Despite how you may feel, you are in control. In the end, it is you who controls the elements of your day, week, month, and year. Your thoughts drive your actions and eventually lead to the outcomes you experience. Change your thoughts to the positive side of every situation. Remember to be THANKFUL for what you have and what you want to have. If you can remember this, when problems seem to be too big to handle, you may have an easier time making changes in your life. You will gradually begin to feel less stress in your life.

So, tomorrow, remember....take a deep breathe, step back, and remember YOU ARE IN CONTROL. Visualize the end, recall it's only temporary and that you can do things to make it better. And most importantly - Smile!