Managing Stress

Edmonton Counselling

Psychologists specialize in assisting you in finding ways to cope better

Overwhelmed by Stress?

Are you feeling anxious, unable to sleep, nausea, agitated ? Sometimes the way we deal with work and life challenges makes us feel worse rather than better. Would you rather be living with joy and enthusiasm? Consider the following simple tips if you would like to feel better:

  1. Make self-care a priority. Do you make looking after your needs as important as looking after others needs? It is important to make time to exercise, eat properly and get adequate sleep. You will be more helpful and effective if you are well taken care of.
  2. Say “no”. Many of us find it hard to say no to people and end up doing things we really do not want to do. Saying “yes” when we mean “no” usually results in feeling resentful, and frustrated. It is stressful to be so busy doing for other’s when it does not leave you with enough time to pursue your own interests.
  3. Be kind to Yourself. “A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes”. Mahatma Gandi. Much of our stress comes from self doubts and saying harsh things to ourselves that we would never say to anyone else. You have a choice about what you dwell on. You can focus on what is great about you or your perceived faults. What do you focus on?
  4. Get perspective. Humans have a tendency to focus on the negative and imagine things are worse than they actually are. Frequently we focus on problems that seem insurmountable rather the solutions. It is important to set small goals and remember all the challenges you have overcome in the past.. When you focus on problems you magnify them, feel overwhelmed and become less effective in problem solving. Why not magnify your strengths and ability to overcome challenges. If we focus too much on obstacles we get overwhelmed, focusing on step by step goals and tasks completed make us feel better and releases energy that can be used to accomplish goals.
  5. Expect positive outcomes. If you believe and expect success you will achieve it. If you expect, and imagine failure you will achieve that as well. When you are use to expecting the worst it is hard to change your thinking. But you need to get new software and re- program your brain to imaging great things. You have the ability to create the life you want, be clear and expect success.
  6. Let go of the past. Don’t drive backwards. Don’t focus on mistakes you or others have made. Forgive yourself and others. Forgiveness does not mean that a behaviour was okay or to accept the unacceptable. It means letting go of anger towards those who have hurt you and for hurts you have caused others. Use your difficult life experiences to help others, which can give a higher purpose to a difficult life experience.

You are meant to be happy, feel peaceful, secure and loved. When you expect yourself to be perfect rather than human you will feel anxious and defeated. Dig yourself out of the piles of self incriminations, negative expectations and defeatist attitude. Buried underneath is your true self and the joy of being you.

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