9 Best Ways You Can Deal with Stress Once and For AlI

Untreated stress can lead to a host of problems, including physical illness such as ulcers, heart disease,and high blood pressure. 

People exposed to stress over long periods are also prone to develop depression, feelings of hopelessness and inferiority, loss of sexual interest, memory problems — the list is virtually endless.

Each of us, at some time, encounters a period of high stress as a result of some change in our lives. Whether caused by a job change, a loss of someone close, a new relationship or even a financial setback, the stress can feel overwhelming. 

To cope with the changes that confront us and to adapt in a positive manner, it is helpful to: Secure adequate information (get to know as much about a situation as possible so as not to misjudge); 

Maintain a positive self-image (don't demean or blame yourself); Maintain autonomy (in other words, stand on your own two feet—it's up to you to make the final   choice).

Here are the 9 best ways ever to deal with stress once and for all and thereby decrease your risk of developing other complaints.

1. Identify and address the problem producing the stress. Often those who are under stress first attempt to relieve the stress by attacking the symptoms: taking medication, getting more sleep or changing eating habits. Although sometimes helpful in the short term, these methods can actually prolong the stress by leaving the underlying cause untreated. Instead, take time to identify the stressful situation, which may be some aspect of your job, your relationships with others or another similar

2. Circumstance. Once you have determined the source of your stress, you can take control and address the problem. For instance, if your work situation is causing you stress you may decide to discuss possible solutions with your boss. By taking charge, you reduce the feelings of helplessness and being "out of control" and take an important step in relieving the source of your stress.

3. Learn to relax. What if you've identified what you believe is the source of your stress and yet decide that it's impossible to change? Then you can take steps to reduce the effects such situations have on you by learning to relax. One of the easiest ways to learn to relax is to deliberately try to make yourself tense and then relax specific body areas slowly, one by one.

5. Exercise. Not only does exercise make you feel better by doing something positive for you, but recent studies indicate that such activity can help your body release its own natural opiates, called endorphins.

6. Devote time to hobbies and outside Interests. Immersing yourself in hobbies and other outside interests can often reduce the intensity of the stress by taking your mind off the stressful situation. Worrying only increases your stressful feelings.

7. Talk to someone. Talking about your problems often helps to put things into perspective. In this way, you may realize solutions you never thought of or at least gain a better understanding of whatever is bothering you. Often simply airing your feelings to someone else brings immediate relief.

8. Laugh. Amazingly enough, a good belly laugh can sometimes relieve tension and indicate that you've come to terms with the problems that are causing the stress. If you can laugh at the situation, you are that much closer to being ready to do something about it.

9. Concentrate on having fun. A survey conducted by Dr. Martin Snyder at the United States International University indicates that engaging in pleasurable activities may actually reduce symptoms of stress. 

The survey suggests that in order to combat the effects of stressful living, one should participate in more social events and, simply, have more fun. Exposed to the same degree of stress, those people who enjoy themselves more report fewer symptoms associated with stress than do those without pleasurable activities. 

So if you can't beat the stressful situation, at least alleviate its effect on you by going out and having a good time.


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Quick Guide to Managing Your Anger

Anger is a destructive emotion even though it's a very common experience. 

Everyone gets angry at some time or another. Although some people have learned such self-control that they won't show their feelings, rest assured that their close friends, relatives, and especially their doctor know that they are angry. 

It can show up in migraine headaches, ulcers, skin problems, allergies, and even sexual problems. While these problems are not always or even most always related to angry feelings, there is a relationship between feelings and physical well-being.

Anger is an amalgamation of many negative feelings and both can and should be expressed in a constructive, healthy way. It is, therefore, necessary to learn how to manage anger and act in appropriately assertive, but not an aggressive way.

Assertive or Angry
Now, a distinction needs to be made between being assertive and being aggressive. Being assertive means letting others know what you feel in a way that doesn't put anybody else down. Whereas, aggressive behavior is always at the expense of somebody else. You will get your way, but you will step on somebody else to do it.

Common situations that provide great opportunity for practicing assertiveness include returning faulty merchandise to a store; asking a neighbor to quiet down, starting a conversation with a stranger, giving a speech in public, or asking someone for a favor.

In contrast to this, aggressiveness is demonstrated by you believing that you have to be right or have the right to be the winner, thus, you find yourself attacking the other person. If you always must have your way at the expense of the other person, as I mentioned earlier, you will get it, but, your relationships will deteriorate, others will reject you, and you will find yourself suffering from a negative self-concept and poor self-acceptance.

Managing Anger

So, to manage anger, begin with the knowledge that anger can be controlled and resolved. You must cease placing demands on yourself and others through shoulds, oughts, and musts. Often anger specifically entails a should. "You should have known better." "You should not have given the car keys to your brother. " The more shoulds and should nots - the angrier you will be. Increase your overall level of happiness. 

Happiness is not like height. You just don't get a certain amount of it and have to live with it. Learn to let go of the unimportant anger triggers. Realize that your anger will hurt you more than the target of your ire. Learn to express justified anger in an assertive and not in an aggressive way. 

And, keep in mind that the fewer shoulds, oughts, or musts you have, the happier you and all those who associate with you will be. Call (773) 614-3201 if you need help. 

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5 Great Success Habits You Need to Have

Let's agree that we first make our habits and then our habits make us. 

From a psychological point of view, habits are well learned responses that are performed automatically in response to some stimulus, often unrecognized by the performer.

If you had to stop and think about anything, it's not a habit.For example, most of us have acquired the habit of using the mouse for navigating the internet, using a word processor, reading, composing e-mails, and so on.

Nevertheless, using the mouse for these tasks and other related tasks are much less efficient and productive than using the keyboard. Once you begin using the keyboard, you'll quickly realize a more effective use of your time and increased productivity.

If you are skilled in using the keyboard, you cannot tell without stopping to move your fingers which finger is used to type "k" or "r". Your typing has become a string of habits too fast for thought but highly desirable for efficiency.

In that you are likely using Windows, here are some simple Microsoft Windows keyboard shortcuts you can be using now: Windows key + D (Desktop to Foreground); F2 (renames a selected file or folder); Context Menu (Right Click); Alt + underlined letter (Menu drop down, Action selection); Alt + Tab (Toggle between open applications); Alt, F +X or Alt +F4 (Exit application); Alt, Spacebar + X (Maximize Window); Alt, Spacebar + N (Minimize Window); Ctrl + W (Closes Window); F2 (Renames a selected file or folder). Getting the keyboard habit is the key to productivity.

It is easier to form good habits than to change bad ones. However, forming new habits requires a daily commitment. Here are some additional good habits that can add to your success That as an independent consultant I have found to be useful:

1. Read consistently at least 15 minutes a day in your chosen field. It doesn't matter whether they are books, articles, or reports.

2. Get to the bottom of the subject or issue to understand the pros and cons and arguments for and against it. The habit of getting to the bottom of things, usually land you on top.

3. Clear your desk at the end of the day. A cluttered desk at the beginning of your day, makes for a confused start and detracts from a sense of focus.

4. Identify six items that can be accomplished by the end of your day, write them down and make a sincere effort to complete all six.

5. Get some file crates. Put them next to your desk and place, in them, the files you are working on for easy access.

Habits are either your best servants or your worst of masters. Make your habits your best servants.

Are your habits your best servants? Leave your comments below.