This is not a 3 step guide to becoming the happiest person in the world with no stress what-so-ever. I'm talking about taking small steps to ensure that we make a long lasting reduction in high stress levels. Small reductions in stress levels that will improve the overall quality of our life.
Step 1: Talk to yourself.
I don't mean talk to yourself out loud at all times and have emotional or heated debates in public. If it works for you go right ahead (don't be surprised if you get some suspicious or scared glances).
I mean talk to yourself throughout the day. Studies show that talking to yourself can actually make you smarter, more efficient and motivated. Do you speak more than one language? Did you know that talking to yourself in your native language also helps you better analyze situations, assess pros and cons and lead to better decisions?
I usually laugh at myself for feeling so strongly about things that seem insignificant when I say them out loud. When you have to put feelings in to words, it forces you to break them down from uncontrollable feelings to description which somehow doesn't sound so bad anymore. Talk yourself out of negativity. Give yourself a pep talk. Whatever it takes to help you get it all out. Repressing feelings only amplifies them and they end up coming out anyway but usually at the worst possible times.
Step 2: Reflect about others.
No better way to forget your own troubles than to realize the troubles of others. Are you worried about your children? Money problems? Relationship? Go online and Google news about less fortunate children who don't have food, shelter and no parents. How about reading about those parents who cannot feed their children? You might want to splurge on those spa days if you have a teenager or two (joking!) Remind yourself that whatever you are facing, there are those out there that are facing something similar or worse. It's a way to count your blessings. I feel a little guilty for even worrying at this point.
Step 3: Do something positive.
Doing something positive in your life gives you hope. It reminds you of the power you hold within you to do good despite everything that you face. I know this will not make sense to a lot of people when they first read it but I urge you to try this. The next time you are so stressed out that you cannot even think straight...go do a random act of kindness for someone. Give a homeless person some change, bake cookies for your neighbor, call that one person in your family that you don't really talk to just to see how they're doing, make a donation, say a prayer for someone, make amends with someone you dislike etc. It will give you control over yourself.
So start talking to yourself, count your blessings and make the world a better place.
"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do." - Epictetus
