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.