Discover 5 Simple Steps to

Relief from Stress & Worry
Find peace and freedom from anxiety
Sleep better, improve your relationships.
Approach life with joy and hope!

Life is often stressful. The hectic pace of life can make us feel harried and worried. It can seem as if everything and everyone is depending on us. We have many timesaving appliances and yet we seem to have less and less time. With computers, internet, phones we can connect with 1000s of people, and yet feel all alone. We are doing more and enjoying life less. Something needs to change.

In the second section of this page is a list of tools to help you deal NOW with the stress you feel. But first, here are 5 steps to help you begin a process of changing your attitude and therefore changing the intensity of the stress you feel.

Step One: Take a moment in each situation to define: What is my role, my purpose? Take stock of what you are responsible for and have control over and what is out of your control. When it feels like everything is on your shoulders, remember “Its not about you.” Where were you when the foundations of the earth were laid? Did you fix the limits of the oceans; did you put the stars in place? Remember who is in charge. Limit your concern to what you are responsible for and trust others to take care of their responsibilities.

Step Two: Don’t sweat the small stuff. Prioritize -- Choosing appropriate priorities for tasks is an important way to avoid stress. Write out a list of what needs to be done. Sort the list in order of importance - remembering your purpose, you role.

Step Three: Take action. Begin to work on your list. Break big tasks into smaller size pieces. There is an inherent satisfaction that can come from accomplishing something.

Step Four: Get out of yourself, help others, and connect with other people. That can be as simple as holding a door for someone else, or letting a car in front of you in traffic, or as committed as a regular volunteer project that you do for a few hours each week. When you take the time to look around to see where you can help others you help yourself as well by providing yourself with positive growth.

Step Five: Sometimes we need some help from time to time. If your life feels too chaotic to manage and you're spinning your wheels worrying about it, talk with someone you trust. Friends and family may be a good resource. Or you may find it helpful to speak with a professional such as a counselor. Professional Counseling services are confidential. This means no one but you will know what you discuss. And if you're experiencing high levels of stress because of marital, financial, chemical dependency or legal problems, a counselor can link you to helpful services in your community.

Tools for dealing with stress NOW:

1. Breathe deeply: Stand up straight and take a few deep breaths and let them out slowly. When we get stressed we often hunch over a little, tighten up and breath is shallow. Breathing deeply can help you to feel more refreshed and relaxed.

2. Go for a walk: Stand tall and walk briskly as if you have some place to be and little time to get there. This helps to get your body moving and you may feel more alert.

3. Prayer/Meditation: Take the time to reach out beyond yourself and connect to something more. Meditate on what is true, lovely and honest.

4. Refocus your mind: Put aside (at least for a while) the thoughts that are adding to your stress. Think about something you like. Look at nature, sky, trees, or the back of your hand. Take a moment to wonder at the way things work, the way they are made.

5. Look at the big picture: It is about getting a more realistic perspective on today’s stressors. A hundred years from now how much will this matter? Compared to what you value most in life, how important is this?

6. Do something you enjoy: Take the time to do something you enjoy every day. Smell the flowers, look at the colors. Find little pleasures, simple things that bring a smile to your face.

7. Evaluate the use of your resources: Are you using the appropriate resource for the task at hand? Is there some other resource that could be put to use more effectively? Sometimes the help of a professional may be the most cost effective solution.