When Your Anxieties And Stresses Become Difficult To Handle

by: Stan Popovich

Your fears, anxieties, and other problems have the best of you and you don’t know where to turn for help. At some point you feel totally helpless as you struggle each day. What do you do? Here are a few suggestions on how to get out of this situation.

Always remember to get all of the facts of the given situation. Gathering the facts can prevent us from relying on exaggerated and fearful assumptions. By focusing on the facts, a person can rely on what is reality and what is not.

Learn how to manage your fearful thoughts that may be difficult to manage. When experiencing a negative thought, read some positive statements and affirmations that help lift your spirits and make you feel better. Remember that your fearful thoughts may be exaggerated so balance these thoughts with realistic thinking and common sense.

Take your problems to God. God is stronger than your stresses and anxieties. When the going gets tough, talk to God about your problems as if you were talking to a friend. Be persistent and be open in the avenues that God may provide to you in solving your problem. It is not always easy, however God is in control and he will help you if you ask him.

Don’t tackle all of your fears at once. Manage them one at a time. Try to learn what is the real source of your fears and anxieties. Knowing what the source of your problem is can go a long way in finding the solution. Think about it and try to figure out what is the source of your fears and anxieties. If you do not know, then ask a professional.

Managing your fears and anxieties will take some hard work. Trying to avoid you problems will do nothing in getting rid of your fears and anxieties. Remember that all you can do is to do your best each day, hope for the best, and take things in stride. Patience, persistence, education, and being committed in trying to solve your problem will go along way in fixing your problems.

About The Author
Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear” an easy to read book that presents a overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com.

How Vulnerable Are You To Stress?
by: Arthur Buchanan

In modern society, most of us can't avoid stress. But we can learn to behave in ways that lessen its effects. Researchers have identified a number of factors that affect one's vulnerability to stress - among them are eating and sleeping habits, caffeine and alcohol intake, and how we express our emotions. The following questionnaire is designed to help you discover your vulnerability quotient and to pinpoint trouble spots. Rate each item from 1 (always) to 5 (never), according to how much of the time the statement is true of you. Be sure to mark each item, even if it does not apply to you - for example, if you don't smoke, circle 1 next to item six.

To get your score, add up the figures and subtract 20. A score below 10 indicates excellent resistance to stress. A score over 30 indicates some vulnerability to stress; you are seriously vulnerable if your score is over 50. You can make yourself less vulnerable by reviewing the items on which you scored three or higher and trying to modify them. Notice that nearly all of them describe situations and behaviors over which you have a great deal of control. Concentrate first on those that are easiest to change - for example, eating a hot, balanced meal daily and having fun at least once a week - before tackling those that seem difficult.

Bills are piling up, the front lawn is a jungle, and you can't remember what your desk looks like under those stacks of paper. If only you had more time. We've all said it at one time or another.

Lack of time can be a major source of stress. As demands of daily living grow, more and more of us feel there just aren't enough hours in a day to do everything that needs to get done.

Teaching people how to manage their time is now an American enterprise. There are time-management books, tapes, workshops, and seminars to make us more efficient. Day planners, organizers, and calendars help us remember and organize things. We even have personal coaches to help us turn chaotic lives into more orderly ones.

Time Is On Your Side

Learning to better manage your time can make you feel more in control of your life. That can reduce stress. If you can get a handle on how you spend your time, you'll be able to work smarter and function better at home and away. You'll relax more, be less stressed, find your goals are within easier reach, and have more time for yourself. You'll also be proud of how organized you've become!

Sound impossible? It's not! Here are some ways to become a wise time manager wherever you are:

Get Organized. You can waste a lot of time looking for things you've misplaced, trying to make plans or decisions at the last minute, or putting things off for later. Clean up your desk and office by making places to store things — file cabinets, notice boards, in- and out-boxes "to read" and "bill-paying" trays — even a shredder! Make files, update your rolodex, and organize your pantry and drawers so you can find things more easily.

What's that you say? These things take time and you already don't have enough time? Putting in some extra time to get organized will save you a lot of time in the long run. And don't try to do all your organizing in one day. Tackle just one drawer or closet each weekend. Sort through a pile every other day until you get through all of them. Keep a day planner or calendar handy and use it. Post all your important telephone numbers and email addresses in an easy-to-see place so you don't have to keep looking them up. Make a schedule for bill-paying day, laundry day, grocery shopping day, and library day. Make "to do" lists and check off tasks once they're done. This will show progress and help you feel like you're getting things done when you don't think you are.

Set Priorities . List the things you must get done in a day. Be realistic. Writing down how much time you expect each activity to take helps. The most important things go at the top of your list. Focus on getting those done during your high-energy time of day. Bump the less important tasks to the next day or week if you can't get to them. And don't beat yourself up if you don't. Remind yourself that there are only so many hours in a day and you're doing the best you can. Nobody's perfect!

Stay Focused. If you're working on a project, close your office door, ignore the phone and email messages, tell family members or coworkers you're unavailable - try to get rid of all the distractions that prevent you from finishing your task. Distractions can cause stress. And the stress gets worse because you didn't finish the job you set out to do even though you made the time. Schedule a half hour at the start and middle of the day to review and respond to emails and phone calls. Allow another 30 minutes at end of the day to wrap up for the day and get organized for the next one.

Multitask Wisely . Why not kill two birds with one stone when you can? For instance, write Christmas cards or update your rolodex while you're watching television. Don't get carried away with multitasking, though. That may lead to more stress and even be dangerous. Shaving, sending a fax, or sitting in on an important conference call while you're driving is downright dangerous!

Get Help. Decide what you realistically can do in the time you have and get help doing the rest. Lighten your load by asking someone to run an errand while you're cleaning the house for company. That lets you receive your guests more graciously when they arrive. Getting a coworker to pitch in on a big project shows you can delegate work and get things done. With a little practice, you can become quite good at managing your personal and professional time. Not only will you become more efficient, you'll have less stress.


About The Author
Listen to Arthur Buchanan on the Mike Litman Show! http://freesuccessaudios.com/Artlive.mp3 THIS LINK WORKS, LISTEN TODAY!
With Much Love, Arthur Buchanan President/CEO Out of Darkness & Into the Light 43 Oakwood Ave. Suite 1012 Huron Ohio, 44839 www.out-of-darkness.com www.adhdandme.com www.biologicalhappiness.com 567-219-0994 (cell) arthur@out-of-darkness.com

Conquer Stress--With A Hobby
by: Jack Zavada

Everyone knows that stress can take a heavy toll on your mind and body, but one simple activity can not only prevent the harmful effects of stress but also make your life richer and more rewarding.

Hobbies have been around since ancient times, yet few people use them as an effective tool to beat stress. The secret is in choosing a hobby that not only picques your interest, but that you find mentally engaging as well. A major component of stress is worry. A fascinating hobby crowds out worry thoughts by replacing them with positive ideas and study.

Watching television or listening to music might be classified as hobbies; however, they rarely provide the mental stimulation needed to leave you feeling refreshed and satisfied afterward. A worthwhile hobby will make you a more rounded, interesting person. It will give you an outlet to explore your creativity. It will also bring you in contact with fascinating people, which can relieve loneliness.

If you have a hobby that you've lost interest in, or you're looking for a new hobby, check out these tips for exploring the endless possibilities before you.

1. Your hobby should interest you.

Don't get into a hobby just because a friend or relative enjoys it. You'll soon tire of it if that's your only motivation. No, your hobby should be an activity that you enjoy. And unless you're truly interested in it, don't take over someone else's collection and add to it. Pick something you like. Be original!

2. Explore what the world has to offer.

If you get an idea for a hobby, the Internet is the best place to research it. Whether it's collecting, art, crafts, or reading about a specific topic, you can find thousands of web sites, clubs, and user groups to give you more information. If your public library doesn't have books on the hobby you're researching, ask a librarian to order them for you through interlibrary loan. This is a free but often underused service of public libraries. A knowledgeable librarian can also help you find magazines and newsletters about your area of interest.

3. Pick something you're passionate about.

What one person finds captivating, another may think is silly or boring. Remember that you don't have to satisfy or impress anyone else with your hobby. This is for you. Pursue something that gets you excited. Don't be discouraged if you try several different pastimes before you succeed. You'll know you've found the right hobby when you look forward to doing it, when you're happy during your hobby time, and when it leaves you feeling relaxed and positive.

4. Pick a hobby that's affordable.

Many people don't consider this aspect, but it's better to do something that doesn't run up debt, tie up a lot of your money, or make you frustrated because you later find it's out of your reach financially. A hobby doesn't have to be expensive to be fulfilling. Again, remember that the object of a hobby is not to impress people, but to do something that's fun and appealing to you.

5. Pick a hobby that is challenging.

Some collectible items are rare or hard to find. The pursuit of them is part of the excitement. Some hobbies, like painting, playing a musical instrument, or baking, have no limits. Today, instructional videos or DVDs are available that can teach you almost anything. Be realistic and don't expect to master your new interest right away. You have the rest of your life to develop your skills. Soon you'll experience a great sense of personal satisfaction as you become more and more accomplished.

A captivating hobby is a positive, healthy way to escape, if only for an hour at a time. As you grow in your hobby, you'll feel more contented as a person and less vulnerable to the stress of your job and everyday life.


About The Author
Copyright by Jack Zavada.
Jack Zavada is an avid wood carver, toy soldier collector, and fisherman, who lives in Streator, Illinois. He is the author of four novels and over 5,000 newspaper and magazine articles. His web site is http://www.inspiration-for-singles.com.

A Checklist For Stress
by: Arthur Buchanan

Stress is a natural part of life. It can be both physical and mental and much of it can come from everyday pressures. Everyone handles stress differently, some better than others. Left unchecked, however, stress can cause physical, emotional, and behavioral disorders which can affect your health, vitality, and peace-of-mind, as well as personal and professional relationships.

Here is a checklist of negative reactions to stress and tension:

• Do minor problems and disappointments upset you excessively?
• Do the small pleasures of life fail to satisfy you?
• Are you unable to stop thinking of your worries?
• Do you feel inadequate or suffer from self-doubt?
• Are you constantly tired?
• Do you experience flashes of anger over a minor problem?
• Have you noticed a change in sleeping or eating patterns?
• Do you suffer from chronic pain, headaches, or back aches?

If you answered "yes" to most of these questions, consider the following suggestions for reducing or controlling stress:

• Be realistic. If you feel overwhelmed by some activities, learn to say NO!
• Shed the "superman/woman" urge. No one is perfect, so don't expect perfection from yourself or others.
• Meditate for ten to twenty minutes.
• Visualize how you can manage a stressful situation more successfully.
• Take one thing at a time. Prioritize your tasks and focus on one at a time.
• Exercise regularly.
• Take on a hobby that will give you a break from your worries.
• Live a healthy lifestyle with good nutrition, adequate rest, regular exercise, limited caffeine and alcohol, and balanced work and play.
• Share your feelings with family and friends. Don't try to cope alone.
• Give in occasionally. Be flexible.
• Go easy with criticism. You may expect too much of yourself and others.

If you think you have too much stress in your life, it may be helpful to talk with your doctor, spiritual advisor, or local mental health association. Because reactions to stress can be a factor in depression, anxiety and other disorders, they may suggest that you visit with a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or other qualifed counselor.

For more information, call the National Mental Health Association at 800-969-NMHA.


About The Author
Listen to Arthur Buchanan on the Mike Litman Show! http://freesuccessaudios.com/Artlive.mp3 THIS LINK WORKS, LISTEN TODAY!
With Much Love, Arthur Buchanan President/CEO Out of Darkness & Into the Light 43 Oakwood Ave. Suite 1012 Huron Ohio, 44839 www.out-of-darkness.com www.adhdandme.com www.biologicalhappiness.com 567-219-0994 (cell) arthur@out-of-darkness.com

The Technique That Can Reduce Stress and the Effects of Aging
by: Constance Weygandt

When we sleep, our mind and our body rejuvenates itself. Meditation helps us to achieve a state of restful awareness at other times. Restful awareness can sometimes provide a deeper rest than sleep. The benefits of meditation are many.

· Meditation may cut back the flow of stress hormones. These hormones cause a rise in blood pressure which damages our arterial walls.

· People who practice meditation before surgery have a shorter recovery period, bleed less, need less anesthesia and their wounds heal faster.

· Studies have shown participants who meditate to have higher levels of antibodies and positive emotional states.

· Meditation helps to reduce stress and fatigue as well as enhance creativity and intuition which aids in decision making.

· Meditation leads to better health and longer life. The results of stress can accelerate the aging process. Studies suggest that Meditation’s role in lowering blood pressure, easing stress and increasing the function of the brain helps to slow aging.

There are thousands of books and tapes available on meditation and relaxation techniques. Any of these would be helpful to begin a practice of meditation. One simple beginning technique is to focus on your breathing.

Sit upright in a comfortable chair with your hands resting at your sides. You may also lay flat but make sure your spine is straight so there is no obstruction to the flow of air. Breathe in slowly while counting to eight. Exhale through your nose and count to eight. Concentrate on your breathing. Feel the air enter and fill your lungs and abdomen on the inhale. When you exhale feel your breath slowly leaving your body. Concentrate only on your counting and breathing. If thoughts intrude, just view them as you would writing on a blackboard and then refocus. You may be aware of the sounds around you. If you get distracted, it’s okay. Refocus on your counting and breathing. Begin with 10 minutes of deep breathing a day and move to 20 minutes a day.

This technique is a very simple introduction to meditation. When you master this, move on to relaxation and visualization techniques. Enjoy twenty minutes of silence a day. Besides the improved physical effects, with time and practice, you can gain a type of bliss, joy and peacefulness. Meditation puts us in contact with our higher selves where creativity, intuition and energy reside. Rejuvenate your whole self. Meditate.


About The Author
Constance Weygandt is an author, speaker and balance mentor. For more information on stress and balance or to recieve her newsletter, visit her at http://www.balancedwellnessonline.com.

How Your Journal Writing Will Reduce Stress in Your Family

by Daniel Lesser

Journaling can help reduce the stress in your family in several ways. For one, by lowering your own stress levels, you will get along better with your family. You will be a happier person which will, in turn, make everyone else happier to be around you.

You will also learn to deal with family situations better and can teach the rest of the family ways of better managing their stress. Through journaling, you can also learn a new appreciation for your family and this will show when you are around them.

Use the following prompts to help you use your journal to reduce family stress.

If you don't have accurate details regarding journaling, then you might make a bad choice on the subject. Don't let that happen: keep reading.

"My family makes me feel stressed by..." "My family deals with stress by..." "Sometimes I get angry at my family when..." "Sometimes I resent my family when..." "If I could change anything about my family, it would be..." "One thing that would make my family better is..."

You can work your way through these prompts at any pace you wish. Be sure to keep an eye on your stress levels. Note how you feel when writing about each situation. Does writing help you "let go" and release certain emotions and feelings that could be causing you stress?

This same plan for reducing stress in your family works for your friends and your workplace. Often we get so busy in our lives that we never take the time to really think about things that are bothering us or worrying us. We just push it further back in our minds and these things keep building up. This is basically what stress is. Journaling will help you bring these things out so that they can be acknowledged and dealt with.

Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action.

About the Author
Daniel J Lesser is the creator of www.stressfreeclub.com. A whole world awaits if you can control your stress. Find out how you can expand your horizons at www.stressfreeclub.com.

How To Use A Journal To Cut Your Stress
by Daniel Lesser

Are you looking for some inside information on journaling? Here's an up-to-date report from journaling experts who should know.

Writing in your journal on a regular basis can actually help you prevent stress. You will learn to think out your problems in an organized way. You will learn how to express yourself and release emotions and anxieties. You learn how to manage your life more productively so you do not have such overwhelming feelings which lead to stress.

Stress can lead to certain health conditions. These health conditions make your stress worse and it is a cycle that is hard to break. When you become accustomed to journaling, you will see that your life is improving.

There are few situations that are actually stressful in themselves. It is our reactions to situations and events in our lives that create stress. Stress is compounded by work overload and not enough sleep. Your journals can help you reduce this and prevent a large majority of stress.

The information about journaling presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about journaling or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.

You should use your journals to:

1. Identify the source of your stress 2. Create ways to cope with the stress 3. Find ways to organize your life and activities and events in your life 4. Think of ways to nurture yourself (such as a massage or a bubble bath) 5. Evaluate your responses and opinions of stress in your life to see if you are being productive or counterproductive

Keeping a journal helps your situations become manageable. Keeping a journal offers you a distraction to many daily activities. It also gives you an outlet for your emotions. Journals can keep you on task by forcing you to approach your situation instead of pushing it aside "for later".

There's a lot to understand about journaling. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above, but there is still plenty more to write about in subsequent articles.

About author:
Daniel J Lesser is the creator of www.stressfreeclub.com. A whole world awaits if you can control your stress. Find out how you can expand your horizons at www.stressfreeclub.com.