| We all feel anxious and stressed from time to time. It's | | | | Don't be afraid to talk to someone about what you're |
| just factored into life itself. | | | | going through and what you're feeling. Choose a good |
| As we go through life, we naturally seem to adjust to | | | | friend or trusted family member and sit down for a |
| a reasonable amount of stress and anxiety and we | | | | chat. |
| just get on with things. | | | | If you really cannot think of anyone and you're feeling |
| It's when stress and anxiety become unmanageable, | | | | desperate then the Samaritans are a wonderful |
| when they overwhelm us, threatening to bring things to | | | | source of support. |
| a grinding halt that something needs to be done about | | | | There really is little point in running over the same things |
| them. | | | | time and time again if you are not prepared to actually |
| But there is really no necessity to wait for this to | | | | do something about those things. |
| happen. | | | | There is a saying in therapy circles: 'If you do what |
| There are some simple things we can do to manage | | | | you've always done, you'll get what you always got'. |
| our lives better and make a difference to our mood | | | | As you talk things over, try your best to see what |
| and our outlook. | | | | needs to be changed in order for things to be different. |
| Here are 3 important and helpful things that anyone | | | | A good friend, therapist or counselor can be truly |
| can do. | | | | helpful in getting things back into perspective so that |
| 1. Accept Yourself | | | | you can move on past the anxiety and stress. |
| When we are at war on the inside, then very little | | | | 3. Put Yourself First |
| goes well on the outside. After all, we see things not | | | | Try something new. |
| as they are, but as we are. | | | | Yes, perhaps it does feel like everyone wants a piece |
| As we journey through life, it's so easy to become | | | | of you. But so do you. And unless you invest time in |
| self-critical and to beat ourselves up for past mistakes | | | | yourself then you won't have much to give to anyone |
| and shortcomings. | | | | else. |
| But what, really, is the value of doing this? Does it | | | | Maybe it's time to get a little bit more selfish. After all, |
| make us better human beings? | | | | you really are worth it! |
| Of course not. | | | | Why not learn a new skill? |
| But sometimes, even though we know this, we just | | | | Learning something new stimulates your mind and |
| don't find it easy to come to terms with and to accept | | | | really does increase your confidence. Self-hypnosis, |
| who we are. | | | | meditation, tai chi, yoga, for example, are all fascinating |
| The fact is that until we have achieved some degree | | | | and can bring you into contact with new people, |
| of success in the area of self-acceptance then we | | | | providing a fresh perspective on life. |
| can find ourselves in a constant state of stress and | | | | You don't need to learn new skills in a group setting, of |
| anxiety. | | | | course. You can buy a recording or a book. And your |
| Inside each of us there is a good, positive human being. | | | | library has many books that will enable you to get a |
| Why not try a gentler, kinder approach to yourself? | | | | real grasp on many new skills and interests. |
| Remind yourself of all your positive qualities. Focus on | | | | Make these 3 basic changes in your life and watch |
| what you have, not on what you do not have. You | | | | how thing change and become so much more |
| might be surprised at how much you have going for | | | | manageable. |
| you. | | | | Invest in yourself and that investment will pay real |
| 2. Talk About It | | | | dividends! |