One of those days . . .Stress Management

overwhelmedToday is one of those days – everything I touch turns to crap! I woke up a year older, my treadmill decided to break, breakfast burned, the bank locked me out of my online banking and so it goes!

I have valiantly tried to take it all in stride. And failing that tried to remember and practice some stress management techniques:

  • Staying solution oriented: telling myself that there are no problems only opportunities. . .
  • Letting it go: this worked fine at first but as things started to accumulate I started to sink
  • Exercise: See part about the treadmill
  • Expecting good things to happen: evidently expectations aren’t always a good predictor of what is going to happen
  • Breathing: took myself to my chair, closed my eyes and tried to breath (peace in and stress out). I am happy to report that this worked for the few minutes I sat in the chair. All of the sudden the fire alarm started beeping (needs a new battery)
  • Stretching: Gave me some short term relief
  • Music: relaxing music got on my nerves, but Eric Clapton playing the blues at very high volume got me moving (even dancing) and within minutes I was feeling better

The point of all this is about having a stress management toolbox and persistence. If the first few tools don’t work just keep trying something else.

If you are wondering about a toolbox, there is a great site that may help you out—The Center for Stress Management. I keep a link to the site on my computer and on my iPad. I have found over the years that when I start the spiral of stress I tend to forget everything I know. A quick look at this site reminds me that there are tools and what some of them are.

About Genene Cote

Genene Coté -- Nutrition Advocate, Counselor and Coach who is also a Whole Food Plant Based Eater (vegetarian/vegan), cook and gardener.
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