Stress is something we all have to live with especially in these uncertain times. Its vitally important to develop positive ways to deal with if if you want more peace in your life. Try a few of these ideas that may help to decrease and relieve your stress..

Getting up just 15 minutes earlier than you normally do in the mornings will provide time to just sit on the side of your bed or in a chair before you have to start your morning routine. You could also do a short 10 to 15 minute meditation or a prayer of gratitude for another day. That doesn’t seem like a lot of time but it keeps you from jumping up out of bed and rushing into your day.

Try preparing for your morning the night before. Think about what it is you want to eat for breakfast , lay out the clothes you plan to wear, and do other morning tasks. Being prepared for your day can make a world of difference.

One of the things I have learned to do is make lists and write down appointments. I use the note section on my phone for a grocery list, that helps me to get into the store, buy only what I need, avoid buying junk foods and get out. I have a calendar in my home office, my bedroom, and my kitchen and jot down any appointments and meetings I have coming up. I also use Google calendar for meeting reminders. My memory is not what it used to be.

Have you ever lost your keys? You should make duplicates of all keys, place your house key in a secret place and carry a spare car key in your purse or pocket, separate from your key ring. Speaking of cars be sure to have the preventative maintenance done on your vehicle to keep it running as smoothly as possible. The last thing you want is a break down at the worst possible moment.

One of my pet peeves is waiting, when I have an appointment such as a doctor or dental appointment I want to get in within fifteen minutes of my appointment time. That is not always possible and I have learned to be more patient. Be prepared, if you have to wait play a game or read on your phone. Use a your ear plugs and entertain yourself with Tik-Tok or other web sites.

Keep a stock of home staples on hand in case of emergency. I keep extra water, canned goods, flashlights, batteries and candles with lighters in my garage in case of a power outage. I have had two occurrences of power outage in the last year. Fortunately neither was for an extended period of time, but I was thankful I was prepared.

If you have an appointment give yourself a 15 minute time cushion. If your appointment is at 1:00 pm plan to arrive at 12:45. You already know for a flight to arrive at the airport one and one-half to two hours prior to departure time. You never know when an unexpected traffic accident will happen.

Eliminate or restrict coffee, tea, cola and other caffeine sources. Caffeine of course hypes you up, it can make you jittery or anxious. Also exercise is one of the most important things you can do to relieve stress. It lowers your body’s stress hormones, and releases endorphins the chemical that improves your mood. A simple walk in the park is very calming. Dancing and yoga are good stress relievers as well.

Light an essential oil candle, some calming scents are lavender, rose, sandalwood, orange or orange blossom, and frankincense. Using scents to calm your mood is called aromatherapy which decreases anxiety and improves sleep.

Writing down what you are stressed about is another approach to decrease it. Don’t forget to include the things you are grateful for and the the positive things in your life. Keeping a journal, something I have done for years and focusing on the positive can relieve stress and anxiety.

Laughter is the best medicine. Take time every day to find something to laugh about. Laughter relieves your stress response and relieves tension by relaxing your muscles. It improves your immune system and mood.

Learn to say no, when you find yourself taking on more than you can handle and juggling responsibilities you can easily feel overwhelmed. Be selective about what you can do and learn to say no to more.

Mental stress signals the fight or flight mode in your body. Your heart beats faster, your breathing quickens, and your blood vessels constrict. Deep breathing controls the relaxation response. Deep breathing exercises include diaphragmatic breathing, abdominal breathing, and belly breathing. The goal is to concentrate on your breath making it slower and easier. Breathing in through your nose deeply fully expands your lungs and your belly rises. This helps slow your heart rate.

Although stress and anxiety may arise in your life there are many simple ways to reduce it. These tips involve ways to reduce it, try some of them and find something that works for you.

Until next time,

Love, Peace, and Blessings