Positive Mental Attitude

If you’re living with high levels of stress, you’re putting your entire well-being at risk.  Stress wreaks havoc on your emotional equilibrium, as well as your physical health.  It narrows your ability to think clearly, function effectively, and enjoy life.  The goal of stress management is to bring your mind and body back into balance.  By adopting a positive attitude, learning healthier ways to cope, and changing the way you deal with stress, you can reduce its effects on your health.

Taking charge of stress:

Operating on daily red alert comes at the high price of your health, vitality, and peace of mind.  But while it may seem that there’s nothing you can do about your stress level—the bills are not going to stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day for all your errands, your career will always be demanding—you have a lot more control than you might think.  In fact, the simple realization that you are in control of your life is the foundation of stress management.

 –Learn to say “no”: Know your limits and stick to them.

–Avoid people who stress you out: Limit the time you spend with them or end the relationship all together.

–Take control of your environment: Turn off the News, leave earlier for an easier commute, go to grocery stores at slower times.

–Avoid hot button topics: Religion and politics – cross them off your conversation list.

–Re-think your to-do list: If you have too much on your plate cross off “shoulds” and stick to “musts.”

–Express your feelings: Don’t bottle them up!

–Be willing to compromise: Find a happy middle ground.

–Be more assertive: Don’t take a backseat in your own life.

–Manage your time better: Huge stressor!  When you’re stretched too thin or running behind, it’s hard to stay calm and focused.

–Don’t try to control the uncontrollable: Focus on the things you can control and the way you choose to react to problems.

–Look for the upside: As the saying goes “What does not kill us makes us stronger.”  When facing major challenges, try to look at them as opportunities for personal growth. If your own poor choices contribute to a stressful situation, reflect on them and learn from your mistakes.

-Learn to forgive:  People make mistakes. Let go of anger and resentments.

-Look at the big picture:  Ask yourself how important it will be in the long run.

-Adjust your standards:  Perfectionism is a major source of avoidable stress.

-Focus on the positive:  When stress is getting you down, take a moment to reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life, including your own positive qualities and gifts. This simple strategy can help keep things in perspective.

Stress Reduction Ideas:

• Relaxation Time
• Connect with others
• Do something you enjoy
• Keep a sense of humor
• Go for a walk
• Spend some time in nature
• Talk to a supportive friend
• Sweat out tension with a workout
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Write in a journal
• Take a long bath
• Play with a Pet
• Work in your garden
• Get a massage
• Read a good book
• Listen to music
• Watch a comedy
• Play with your kids

Positive Attitude Ideas:

• Pay a complement to another person
• Do a nice thing for another person
• Practice optimism
• Meditation
• Say a positive affirmation 10 times
• Do a nice thing for a stranger
• Watch your internal dialog and change the words to positive ones
• Look for the silver lining in a negative situation or setback
• Reconnect with a friend-send a card or call just to say hi
• Thank someone for something that they have done for you
• Cook for someone

Research has shown that those who have a sunny outlook about the future tend to have better physical and mental health than those who are pessimistic.

Call us today at 480.785.1355 or email us to schedule your appointment today!