"Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one.
" ~ Dr.
Hans Selye Grab your bubble bath and start the tub because this is the time to rejuvenate and de-stress yourself! You deserve it! All too often in our busy, busy lives, we forget to keep the right attitude when it comes to taking care of ourselves.
Keeping the right mind-set can reduce our stress levels.
Encouragement from outside sources, i.
g.
books, articles, family, friends, and tv shows, often remind us to slow down and remember our own well-being.
How often do you feel stressed out? Do you have stress in your life every day? When is the last time you de-stressed yourself? One thing that comes to mind when I think of stress is compromise.
As much as we like to compromise with others, do we compromise for our own selves and lifestyle? Do you take the time to reward yourself and your body? Do you schedule yourself into your busy life? Think of yourself for a moment as a beautiful plant, if it doesn't receive sunlight and water it will wither and die.
And, just like the plant, your mind and soul needs to be fed with rejuvenation! Time management plays a huge factor when dealing with stress in our lives.
The big excuse is we're always "too busy.
" Most of us would agree, that if someone offered you a hundred dollars to sit still for an hour, you'd probably find the time.
We manage to find time for the things we want to buy or are required to do, but we often don't take time to honor ourselves.
Rejuvenating ourselves to a former self full of life and vigor is important not only in depleting our stress levels, but to our appearance and restoring our vitality! Rejuvenation management doesn't have to be an all day extravaganza! Taking 5-15 minutes out of your day to do something that relieves your stress, i.
g.
painting, playing a musical instrument, reading, meditating (focusing on the present), playing with your pet, or simply writing about what's bothering you can revitalize mental energy.
Don't you feel you are worth it without being paid one hundred dollars? People seem to react and give their attention when they know they will get money for doing something.
It seems nowadays, the only way to motivate someone is to offer them money, i.
g.
"I'll give you twenty dollars if you work my shift for me.
I'll give you thirty dollars if you cut the grass.
I'll give you fifty dollars if you lay on the couch and relax for 30 minutes.
" Money seems to be the motivating factor in getting someone to do what you want.
Remember, placing non-monetary value upon oneself is of great importance when it comes to rejuvenating yourself.
People are also held back from doing the things they want to do because of money.
It really does seem sometimes that "money makes the world go round.
" Relaxation activities can be costly (I understand)...
it costs thirty dollars to attend an art class, sixty dollars to get a massage, etc.
I'm talking about spreading the wealth to once a month activities or stress relief therapy.
Having a clear communication of your goals with yourself is first and foremost.
Plan an art shop one month and a massage the next month.
If you have to cut back on certain activities to use that money for yourself, then do it.
Using these techniques can also provide relief versus self-medicating, i.
g.
anxiety and depression drugs.
A 30-minute massage can do wonders when it comes to rejuvenating ourselves.
30 minutes to breath, relax and indulge ourselves.
That's a lunch break for most of us.
Just be sure to bring a bag lunch on the day of your massage, yoga class, pilates class, work out or even a walk in the park.
There's plenty of ways to de-stress yourself for 20, 30, or 60 minutes.
No one says you should have a daily massage (although that would be nice), but scheduling a massage once a month or every two months gives us something to look forward to as a pat on the back (no pun).
There really is no excuse when it comes to taking care of ourselves- first and foremost.
What is the payoff? Productivity! Rejuvenation! And maybe even a smile or two instead of a clenched jaw.
Compromise the stress in your life with rejuvenation to lift the weight from your shoulders.
Take a friend and go have a massage or see a movie.
Do something different.
We get ourselves into the same old routines, day after day, after day- and that's when the negative stress builds.
Allow yourself to think more clearly, stop the negative talk and find something that works for you to relieve stress and work it into your daily or weekly routine.
If that means getting up 30 minutes earlier to spend time alone, then do it.
Stress can work for you or against you, be a team player and get stress on your side.
Stress can be overwhelming only if we allow it to be.
Use stress for what it's meant for...
to motivate and energize! "Tension is who you think you should be.
Relaxation is who you are.
"- Chinese Proverb