Stress Reducer Blog » reduce stress http://stressreducerblog.com Wed, 07 Mar 2012 01:21:04 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 3 best ways to stay in the present moment http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/3-best-ways-to-stay-in-the-present-moment http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/3-best-ways-to-stay-in-the-present-moment#comments Fri, 29 May 2009 18:09:20 +0000 Stress Reducer http://stressreducerblog.com/?p=181 3 best ways to stay in the present moment is a post from: Stress Reducer Blog

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In my last post, I talked about how staying in the present moment is a wonderful stress reducer. I have to admit it’s easier said than done, but there are 3 things that are helping me do it.

1. I am no longer listening to the repetitive fear mongering of the media. I have turned off the news and listen to no more than one news report a day. Sometimes I don’t listen to any, and you know what? I haven’t missed anything important.

2. I have meditated now for 25 years, and most meditation practice is about staying present in the moment, opening the heart and staying connected to source. Even 5 minutes of observing the breathe has a way of bringing you right back into the present moment.

3. I remind myself throughout the day that for today everything is fine. I will say that having Heidi here to remind me of that helps a lot, because for today she is fine.

What helps you stay in the present moment?

3 best ways to stay in the present moment is a post from: Stress Reducer Blog

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]]> http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/3-best-ways-to-stay-in-the-present-moment/feed/ 1 The stress of uncertainty http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/the-stress-of-uncertainty http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/the-stress-of-uncertainty#comments Fri, 08 May 2009 21:41:56 +0000 Stress Reducer http://stressreducerblog.com/?p=150 The stress of uncertainty is a post from: Stress Reducer Blog

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The dog who is normally a wonderful stress reducer, has become a stressor.

The pathology report showed they didn’t get it all so we are looking at options but the reality is that although this is not the worst kind of mast cell tumor, it could recur at any time no matter what I decide to do. How’s that for stressful uncertainty?

Several things are helping reduce the stress…

• Supportive vet, trainer, friends & family. Having a supportive network of people has been shown repeatedly to be one of the best stress reducers around.

• Giving her benadryl — though not a cure it will make the histamine levels (released by the cancer cells) go down so she is more comfortable…and as a stress reducer, it makes me feel like I’m doing something.

• Facing her possible death and grieving now…frees me to stay in the present moment with her…for today she is fine.

• My daily meditation practice and I did a mini-retreat a couple of weeks ago–got me back to feeling like myself which is usually a good thing .

So the reality for us is that this tumor will probably be what kills her, but that could be in 6 months or 5 years. There’s just no way to tell.

The stress of uncertainty is a post from: Stress Reducer Blog

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]]> http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/the-stress-of-uncertainty/feed/ 0 Tap, Tap, Tap…EFT Works as a Stress Reducer http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/eft http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/eft#comments Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:38:07 +0000 Stress Reducer http://stressreducerblog.com/?p=123 stress reducer. What I like best about it is that it's not dependent on you going to see a practitioner. Once you've learned it, you can do it anytime you need it. I find that empowering.

Tap, Tap, Tap…EFT Works as a Stress Reducer is a post from: Stress Reducer Blog

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I’ve been teaching clients EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) ever since I first learned it. It’s an extremely effective stress reducer.

What I like best about it is that it’s not dependent on you going to see a practitioner. Once you’ve learned it, you can do it anytime you need it. I find that empowering.

This is a good instructional video I found on YouTube. Yes the presentation is a bit dry, but it’s clear and easy to follow.

Tap, Tap, Tap…EFT Works as a Stress Reducer is a post from: Stress Reducer Blog

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]]> http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/eft/feed/ 0 Stress still a problem? http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/stress-still-a-problem http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/stress-still-a-problem#comments Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:48:56 +0000 Stress Reducer http://stressreducerblog.com/?p=110 Stress still a problem? is a post from: Stress Reducer Blog

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Okay, you’ve improved your diet, consulted your health care provider about supplements, and you’ve given it all time to kick in (don’t forget that part), but you’re still feeling stressed.

I know in our ‘better living through chemistry’ culture, many of you may be ready to try the big gun pharmaceuticals as stress reducers, but before you do….

There are many homeopathic remedies and herbs that can reduce stress without all the side effects and potential addiction that comes with the usual anti-anxiety meds. When homeopathy works (it doesn’t always), it’s like magic. Certainly worth a try.

Visit a homeopath or naturopath who can make recommendations specifically for you. These things are very individual, and you really haven’t lived until you’ve been through a homeopathic assessment….comprehensive doesn’t even begin to describe it.

While I’m on the subject, acupuncture can be a wonderful stress reducer as well.

For minor stress you may find some over the counter products at places like Whole Foods but for the best possible outcome, work with a professional trained in alternative treatments.

Stress still a problem? is a post from: Stress Reducer Blog

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]]> http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/stress-still-a-problem/feed/ 0 So…how’s your diet? http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/sohows-your-diet http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/sohows-your-diet#comments Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:46:59 +0000 Stress Reducer http://stressreducerblog.com/?p=106 So…how’s your diet? is a post from: Stress Reducer Blog

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I know you know all this so take it as a friendly reminder.

By far the best way to get good nutrition is through the food you eat.

Now I’m no hard core food fanatic. Mostly I go for what I like and what makes me feel good, but there are some real basic, common sense adjustments you can make that can really help with stress reduction.

First eliminate caffeine and sugar.

I love my coffee and I understand how hard it can be to stop drinking it, but too much can really jangle the nerves. I’ve experienced and I’m pretty sure you have too. If stress is a problem in your life, try switching to decaf for a week and see if it makes a difference. If you can’t switch all at once, start with half high test and half decaf then gradually increase the decaf.

The same goes for sugar. Just run an experiment to see if eliminating it helps. Would it be worth living without your regular sugar rush if it reduced your overall stress? Think about it.

Next, look at what you’re eating. The best sources of the stress reducer nutrients you need are in whole grains, dairy, nuts (especially almonds), green veggies (broccoli is one of the best) and some fish. If these aren’t a regular part of your diet, then try adding a bit here and there to start. Some of it’s really yummy, and some an acquired taste, but all of it’s really good for you and can help to reduce your stress.

So…how’s your diet? is a post from: Stress Reducer Blog

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]]> http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/sohows-your-diet/feed/ 0 Stress Reducer Tip – Physical Resilience http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/stress-reducer-tip-physical-resilience http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/stress-reducer-tip-physical-resilience#comments Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:33:10 +0000 Stress Reducer http://stressreducerblog.com/?p=100 Stress Reducer Tip – Physical Resilience is a post from: Stress Reducer Blog

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Emotional resilience is tied to physical resilience so make sure you’re getting the nutrition you need to stay healthy. This is especially true when you’re in the middle of a crisis even though that may be the hardest time of all to eat well.

In my old copy of Nutrition Almanac, the list of nutrients recommended to reduce stress reads like the label of a multivitamin. So first make sure you’re getting your basic daily requirements. Of particular importance for stress reduction are B vitamins, calcium and magnesium.

Now don’t go out and buy these supplements and start taking them without some guidance. I am not a medical doctor, and even if I were, I couldn’t customize your treatment from a website. Capeesh? Consult your health care provider first.

Stress Reducer Tip – Physical Resilience is a post from: Stress Reducer Blog

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]]> http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/stress-reducer-tip-physical-resilience/feed/ 0 Stress Reducer Tip – Turn It All Upside Down http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/stress-reducer-tip-turn-it-all-upside-down http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/stress-reducer-tip-turn-it-all-upside-down#comments Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:20:25 +0000 Stress Reducer http://stressreducerblog.com/?p=95 Stress Reducer Tip – Turn It All Upside Down is a post from: Stress Reducer Blog

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What nurtures and nourishes you most? In a recent post, The Dreaded To-Do List, I suggested that you do that activity first.

I can hear the cacophony of objections. Nobody thinks this stress reducer is a good idea when they first hear about. It’s selfish and self indulgent. There’s too much to do. It totally goes against the grain of our puritanical work ethic.

It is totally contrary to how most of us think about getting things done. What most of us do is try to bribe ourselves into doing the stuff we hate by waving the reward at the end.

The problem with that approach is that we really resent it. The drag of that resentment usually means we never get through the list to the reward. Then we beat ourselves up and tell ourselves we just don’t have the time. Wrong!

Why shouldn’t we resent it? We are denying ourselves real nourishment. It’s really is like not eating, and the way most people do this, it’s like never eating. Come on, how long can you function without eating from time to time?

When you deny yourself your favorite activity whether it’s creative work, exercise (only if you love it), spending time with a friend, making love (there’s a thought), or going for a walk on the beach with the dog (my personal favorite), you are denying yourself basic nourishment. When you deny yourself basic nourishment, you become inefficient, ineffective and resentful. This is not a recipe for genuine accomplishment or a stress free life.

Humor me here and just experiment with this for a couple of days even if you have to run the experiment on the weekend. Do something you love and make it the first thing you do every day. Then follow up with your to-do’s.

Come back and tell us what happens.

If you’re like most of us, you will find that everything else you have to do during the day, becomes easier and less stressful. You will become more efficient so you get all that stuff done more quickly. You might even find that you have more time at the end of the day to do something else that’s fun. It can really make that much difference.

Stress Reducer Tip – Turn It All Upside Down is a post from: Stress Reducer Blog

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]]> http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/stress-reducer-tip-turn-it-all-upside-down/feed/ 0 The Ultimate Stress Reducer – Dealing with Uncertainty http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/uncertainty http://stressreducerblog.com/stress-reducer/uncertainty#comments Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:35:13 +0000 Stress Reducer http://stressreducerblog.com/?p=25 The Ultimate Stress Reducer – Dealing with Uncertainty is a post from: Stress Reducer Blog

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I’ve always been one for jumping right in so here it goes. 

I know I’m starting with one of the toughest ways to reduce stress, and I will get to some of the easier stress reducers as we go along, but the lack of certainty in our lives is probably the most potent cause of stress, anxiety and fear. Befriending that lack of certainty is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress.

So let’s see if I can make some sense of this…

What do you think is more stressful…losing your job or fearing you might lose your job? …a relationship that has ended or worrying about it ending?…worrying about being sick or actually getting a dreaded diagnosis?

You catch my drift, yes?

Uncertainty always creates more stress even when certainty brings with it the most feared outcome.

When my mother was diagnosed with cancer in 1984, the first 4 months were much harder than the last 4. Why? 

In the beginning we knew she might die, but we had hope she might not. By February of 1985, we knew she was dying, and that was infinitely easier to deal with than the not knowing. Don’t get me wrong, it was not the outcome we as a family wanted, but knowing what we were dealing with and what we were preparing for was so much easier than not knowing.

Sounds a bit counterintuitive doesn’t it? Who wants to face their worst fears? Not too many of us, but it’s the unwillingness to face those fears that creates some of our most overwhelming stress.

So what to do? 

Tomorrow I’ll share a brief stress reducer exercise to help you make peace with uncertainty and reduce your stress by facing your fears. We’ll start small I promise.

In the meantime, think about uncertainty as a cause of your stress. Does it make sense to you? What about the idea of facing your worst fears? If you are so inclined, please share your thoughts and reactions.

The Ultimate Stress Reducer – Dealing with Uncertainty is a post from: Stress Reducer Blog

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