Let the strsss begin - alta vista life coaching

 

Three Easy Mantras to Help You Stress Less

When it comes to stressing less, everyone has an opinion about how you should handle it. From the time you were little, your mom probably handed down sage advice to, “make lemonade out of lemons.” Many of those old saying or mantras may seem trite to us but can provide us with some solid philosophies to help manage our ever increasing modern stress.

As a mother / wife / woman / aunt / sister / friend (and psychologist!), I know that life just isn’t always that simple as those old sayings imply. From questions that creep into your brain at 2 a.m. like, “Did I feed the cat today?” to major life decisions like, “Should I quit my job and pursue my dream?” your stress can feel like a thousand pound weight sitting on your chest. However, sometimes we can make life too complicated and stepping back to basics and remembering the simpler things can quiet the noisy chatter in our minds.

Today, I wanted to revisit some of those little sayings that we have heard for years which we may dismiss but really can give us a stable platform to manage stress . They probably are  one you’ve heard before.

Why don’t you try recalling these three phrases next time you need to manage your stress?

Stop and smell the roses. 

Sometimes in life, we need to look for the simple things that are right in front of us that we should be grateful for. Usually, a whirlwind of life keeps us from doing so.

The next time you find yourself too busy plodding along on your journey to appreciate where you’re headed, try this mantra to put some perspective on your greater “why” behind the stress and focus on the simple beauty that is around you.

Take a slow boat to China. 

Vacation itineraries come in all shapes and sizes. For some people, they are a mile long and not a thing on the list can be missed.

Stop. Slow down. Take a deep breath. It’s  “ok” to saunter through the park and feed the pigeons. You don’t have to get everything done by running around until you’re exhausted.

In our day to day lives, this mantra is perfect for anyone who simply takes on too much. If you are a, “Yes” woman who finds herself overwhelmed…get on that slow boat and just let it ride.  Recognize that it is both “ok” to say, “No” and to take your time doing the things that are important to you.

After the rain comes the rainbow. 

Focusing on tomorrow’s peace may help you get through today’s preparation. Just like running a marathon, it’s important to pace yourself.

If stress is a significant issue in your life, don’t get wrapped up in how much everything you need to worry about is bringing you down; focus on when you get a break for yourself.  For anyone who tends to put in long hours at work or orchestrating family issues, manage your stress by thinking about when your next break is.

Also, self-care includes making sure you provide a little down time for you, even if it’s just a long bath or a walk in the woods. If you are a person who plans too much, plan in your own downtime to ensure you have something just for you to look forward to.

So, next time you feel that stress is overwhelming you, stop and smell the roses as you imagine that you are on a slow boat to China where a rainbow is going to meet you.

Do you have a unique system or mantra, or old saying  for stress management? Tell me about it in the comments below.

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Dr. Ines K. RoeDr. Ines K. Roe has been helping women in transition rediscover themselves for over 20 years. If you’ve  been feeling unfulfilled, are frustrated with your sense of accomplishment in midlife, or simply need guidance on your path to holistic well being, join her ecourses.