Your back aches, your coffee’s luke warm, or you fall behind schedule. There are numerous things that can go wrong in a day. Many of us allow one sour moment to spoil the day, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Here are ways to keep your stress in check and stop agonizing over the inevitable:
Just. Stop. Thinking. About. It.
Certain pain, like an aching back, seems impossible to ignore. But agonizing over hurt won’t help you feel any better.
Focus on the breath.
Breathing is something we can control, and breath concentration works anywhere and it gives you something positive to focus on. Gruver suggests thinking “I am,” on your inhale and “at peace” on your exhale. This technique is powerful: It overrides negative thoughts and redirects your focus. Dismiss your stress inducing thoughts like “what will I make for dinner?” Dismiss these thoughts without judging yourself for having them, and carry on.
Visualize something that doesn’t make you anxious.
Visualization gives you control and can help decrease your pain.” Visualize anything from your favorite vacation spot when you’re feeling on edge to your body actually healing itself when you’re experiencing physical pain. Experts say the more you can make it seem real, the more it’s going to work.
Use cues to remind you to be mindful.
Mindfulness is about making your everyday activity a meditation. When mindfulness slips, remind yourself with cues. Whether it’s an alarm on your phone, an app that reminds you to breathe or even the laugh of your colleague that you choose to associate with being present, setting these reminders will prevent the chaos of a day from becoming too much.
Rely on someone you trust.
When you want to start making changes, as a confidant to be a gentle reminder. If you want to stop complaining about your boss, remind someone you’re close to. That person is more likely to stop you in the act. It’s a system that will keep you in check when you react to a stressful situation.
Resource: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/24/stress-relief-tricks_n_3976592.html?utm_hp_ref=less-stress-more-living
