The month of April is National Stress Awareness Month. In today’s society, stress has somehow become part of the “norm” in everyday living. With that being said, the severity of the repercussions of stress factors in our lives are often overlooked, ignored, or downplayed.
Even the way the term and concept of stress is expressed individually shows an indicator of lack in self care. How many times do we verbalize that we are “stressed out”? More importantly, how often do we identify with this feeling or emotion with some sense of impending doom?
All the while, we fail to recognize the detriment that we impose on ourselves by choosing and allowing ourselves to loose control of our own need for holistic wellness and stability.
April also represents the spring of new growth and regrowth, or rebirth. This is a perfect time to sit back and reflect on `your own personal growth in this beautifully blooming season in life. This is a serene opportunity to plant seeds of positive possibilities that have real potential to blossom into a harvest of success.
Part of that reflection should include identifying stress factors that may be hindering the progress that you are seeking. Physical, spiritual, psychological, and even financial imbalances experienced over a period of time (rather sort or long) can manifest a response of stress in one's overall being.
Now, don't take too much time focused on those triggers that you may allow to cause you to experience stress, anxiety, and other negative feelings and emotions.
Instead, spend some quality time readjusting and setting your mindset to the things that will bring you joy that will lead to a fulfilling life. See, a lot of us are easily frustrated when happenings and situations in life do not play out as we expect them to.
Part of the issue with that is we expect everything out of everyone else, yet, we lack accountability in establishing expectations for self. More despairingly, many of us lack execution in achieving our personal goals. Remember that life is all about choices, and more significantly, taking advantage of every opportunity to make the best choice possible.
That is not always as simple as stated. The key to that is how we evaluate and then respond to the situations that we encounter throughout our daily lives. Consider these steps to create a stress free lifestyle one moment at a time.
Take a pause. When a stressful situation arises, take a pause (and a breath...or two) before responding, both verbally and nonverbally (body language).
Reflect. Consider what has just occurred or been said.
What did you see occur?
What did you hear being said?
How does this effect you (not just in regards to your feelings or emotions). Is it a situation that is going to negatively effect you? If so, how? If not, how do you respond?
Respond effectively.
You want to make sure that your response represents who you are both during this event as well as following. Consider consequences in your actions.
Respond with an intent of purpose.
What would you like the outcome to be following your response?
Is your response going to create a resolve or a greater problem?
Is your response worth the energy you will spend on it?
Will your response result in preventing this situation from reoccurring in the future, if given the opportunity to reoccur?
Own your actions. Remember, however you respond, you have to own it. Always see the bigger picture of any scenario, keeping in mind that for you, the only thing that will matter in your life, in the end are your actions. At the end of it all, "this, too, shall pass". Find peace in your greatness and choose to walk your path in your light of truth.
Hope this helps someone. If you enjoyed this piece, please comment, like, and share. Don't forget to subscribe to get the latest from Clearest Conscious: Holistic Lifestyle Coaching. Here's to a stress free journey!
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