Part of success in life is how well we deal with stress. The beauty of this is we can learn to deal better with stress so it is a life skill we can improve. No one can make us do anything. People and events do not cause us stress; it is our reaction to what happens that can or cannot cause us stress. The beauty of this is that we can choose to control our reaction.



The following are eight ways I deal with stress:

✔   I figure out what I can control. Stress for me is caused by situations that are out of my control. Even if this is the case, there is always something that I can do that is within my control. For example, I cannot control currency fluctuations but I can take actions that cause them to have less financial impact on me.

✔   Stress is related to problem solving skills. I work on my problem solving by writing the problem down. Just the simple act of writing it down tends to help with the solution and also helps reduce the stress.

✔    Look at what is really happening. Much stress is created in our imagination. We tend to think the problem is worse than what it is.



✔   Exercise keeps me centered. The times stress bothers me the most is when I have not balanced myself. Plain and simple - exercise reduces stress and the negative reactions to stress. Even a five minute walk can make me feel calmer.

✔    Take a few slow, deep breaths. It is amazing how this reduces my stress reaction.

✔   Help someone less fortunate. Nothing puts things into perspective better.

✔   If there is truly nothing I can do, then worrying only creates stress. This is easy to say but I work hard at trying to accept what I cannot control; however, not until I have done a lot of brainstorming to make sure I cannot do anything about the problem.

✔   Stress tends to be closely tied to time management and most of you know I am a student of this. If I am well organized and using my time effectively, I can handle stress better.

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