I discovered these 4 A's of Stress Relief by the Mayo Clinic from Pinterest, the source of all knowledge. These tips are so easy and encompass pretty much every area of your life! I'm learning that the journey to a stress-free lifestyle will have to address your whole life and your habits, but your new habits will reap so much more peace. The first key to stress management is changing the level of your stressors, and the second key is increasing your ability to cope with stressors.
Avoid
Avoid needless stress. "Plan ahead, rearrange your surroundings and reap the benefits of a lighter load." Take control of the things you have control over, even if it means leaving early to beat the morning traffic. Avoid people who bother you. Learn to say no to unnecessary and unwanted responsibility. Label your to-do list with A's, B's, and C's according to importance. If you're having a busy day, its okay to not finish the C's! However, some problems can't be overlooked and need to be dealt with so create a happy medium.
Alter
"One of the best things you can do during times of stress is to take inventory, then attempt to change your situation for the better." Respectfully ask others to change their behavior and do the same. Communicate your feelings. Manage your time better by organizing your day so like tasks will be completed in the same time frame. State time limits in advance before meetings with colleagues or friends.
Accept
Sometimes there is no choice but to accept the way things are. Talk with people about what you're feeling. Like my pastor always says, it's okay to not be okay but it isn't okay to stay that way. Forgive freely and move on. Practice talking to yourself positively. Learn from your mistakes.
Adapt
Adjust your standards, realizing that perfection is often unattainable. Redefine success and perfection so you have less guilt to deal with. Practice stopping negative thoughts as they enter your mind. Refuse to see situations as negative situations. Look at the issue from a new vantage point, seeing the positive aspects of it. Adopt a mantra such as "I can do this" and repeat it in stressful situations. Create a column with all of the things you enjoy in life to look at when you feel stressed or hopeless. Look at the big picture- will this stressor now matter in five years?
Which of the A's do you use most in your life? Which do you need to work on?
