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10/24/09 9:18 A

The gentleman who made this course gave me full access to his entire course. Once I've read through it etc., I may post it here. I got that when I posted the link to his cell phone applications...btw, I have a cell phone now :D

Sheri

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10/14/09 11:52 P

This lesson reminds of mini-meditation which I like to do throughout the day especially when I have a lot of things to do. I find that when I get overwhelmed, if I take a few minutes to let my stress/anxiety settle down, take a little mini-inventory, breathe and relax, and let it all go and say a little prayer perhaps and have a few moments of quiet...I will feel much better, more calm and more centered. This sounds like a lot, yet the whole process really may only take 10-15 minutes, however, doing the little rituals prevents greater issues for me. This is a Godsend in my life. It is like a mini-vaca from daily stress. I feel my blood pressure dropping when I do this for myself.

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10/14/09 1:50 A

Very glad you found it useful. I'll post 3/5 next week. :)

Sheri

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10/12/09 10:40 A

This is so true. Today is a new day and I plan on using every second to regroup.

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10/12/09 1:32 A

Time and Support are vital when dealing with stress. Not enough time prioritized and you will feel wrangy. Not enough support and you will be overwhelmed and health may very well be in jeopardy.

Sheri

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10/11/09 7:50 P

I find myself stuck in a stressful rut lots of times. Thankfully, I have a wonderful wife who forces me to sit and take a break. For me having that other person around is a lifesaver. After awhile she will actually sit down and listen while I talk it out. She just listens, usually I end up with the solution to whatever is needed just by talking it out.

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10/11/09 7:15 P

Sheri, Thanks for this post. I have been feeling my stress level rising for the past couple of weeks. I have overeaten or eaten things I know I shouldn't - and used 'stress' as an excuse. Shame on me! Today has not been peaceful. It started out that way, but quickly deteriorated. I ate pie. And my stress level rose even higher. I have been frantically looking for something I thought was lost - my self-control and awareness. It's right here, but I lost sight of that fact. Thanks for the post. I may not fully recover tonight, but I'm getting there.

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10/11/09 1:15 A

Today's lesson is in the form of a story.

Have you ever spent hours looking frantically for something you've lost? I have.



I spent hours scrambling to remember a forgotten combination for a lock that was securing my computer to an old desk that was to be replaced that day. I began to get frustrated because I needed to get things done and any delays were going to put me behind schedule. Plus some negative thinking had squeezed its way into my mind that went something like this:



If I can't remember this combination, then I won't be able to move the computer...
If I can't move the computer, I'm going to fall behind...
If I fall behind I won't be able to catch up...
If I can't catch up I might as well give up!

In seconds I had gone from trying to remember a combination to giving up. It seemed like so much depended on moving this computer that I suddenly found myself feeling quite stressed out indeed. Ironically, realizing that I was wound-up about not remembering a combination to a lock compounded my frustration even more, adding to my stress.


Self-Reflection

Have you ever gotten stuck?
~
What do you do when you get caught in a rut?


I checked the same combinations repeatedly. I even found a way to blame the lock and its mechanism for my troubles instead of my poor memory!

All of that time I spent on getting annoyed and angry meant that there was little time to simply stop and think (and breathe!). After much exasperation for far too long, I just stopped the search for the combination. The computer would have to stay put for now.



This shows just how important it is to stop and reflect.


I was spent, stressed, and still empty-handed. It seemed clear that I was so frustrated that I was bound to miss what was staring at me the whole time.

I decided to take a breather. So I closed my eyes and relaxed.

My mind went from a constant "What is that combination?! What is the combination?!", to a relaxed, reflective state. I slowed down. I breathed in. I breathed out. I let my mind wander.

Suddenly, the pressure was off. You know what happened?


The numbers 2, 4, 6 popped into my head.

Once I disconnected myself from the stressful situation, it allowed me to see things I was missing the entire time. The combination was absurdly simple, but my stressed state had prevented me from remembering it. Of course, it will forever remain ingrained in my head after that struggle!

(This story is an excerpt from Chapter 1: Stop Before You Go in the ACQYR Stress Busters - Master Program.)

Next Steps
When a stressful situation arises, stop and reflect.
It will help to clear your mind.


Sheri

current weight: 276.1

311 298.25 285.5 272.75

260