"Give your stress wings and let it fly away"

I thought I would continue with the Sparkpeople July Calander: 31 Days to Less Stress. I definately found the first 5 tips helpful. They were...

• Reach out.
• Work up a sweat.
• Just breathe.
• Hold hands.
• Organize your life.

I really do think that trying to focus on those five things over the last week really helped me. I started talking more, to That Guy and to friends online, about my concerns with The Boy. I created a schedule with the lessons I wanted to do with the kids- and did a massive cleaning spree of the house to help me feel less overwhelmed by clutter and more organized. I've found that yes, for some reason, reaching my hand out to That Guy when I am stressed, and having him grab hold of it somehow made me feel a little more anchored. So did lots and lots of cuddling from the kids- and even The Dog!

I need to remember to do deep breathing exercises more though- I know it helps, I just don't often take the time to sit and breath. And I've known for awhile now that exercising makes me feel better- I just haven't been pushing myself as hard as I should lately. I need to really throw myself into a more challenging daily routine and see if that helps.

Anyway, here are the tips for July 6th-10th...

1. Get a massage. A professional massage can provide soothing, deep relaxation. As the tense muscles relax, so does your entire body, as well as your overstressed mind.
2. Develop a mantra. Does a particular word, phrase or quote help you calm down and relax?Make it your mantra. Write it, think it, and repeat it any time you feel stressed, impatient, or anxious.
3. Sleep in. Most adults need 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Staying wellrested keeps your mind (and body) healthy and better able to handle stressors. A good nap itself can even decrease tension!
4. Keep a journal. Expressing your feelings is a positive way to deal with stress, and journaling captures emotions as you experience them. Let it out, close the book, and get on with your day.
5. Don't multitask. With a lot to do in a little time, you might think it's efficient to multitask. Talk about stressful! He who chases two rabbits catches neither. Focus on one thing at a time for a better outcome.