Stress Matters

by Liz Pryor

Whether we’re single, married, divorced, have children, don’t have children, work, volunteer, take care of our parents, have health issues, lose our jobs, have to look for work, look for love, whatever it is, we seem to be having a difficult time making the adjustment to the advancement, the accessibility and the change that has come to define how we live in our world today.

The result?  Stress!  Stress at epidemic levels. Do we want to wake up in the morning and be in a life we know we can handle, enjoy and thrive?  Yes.  Do we doubt it?  Yes. How exactly can we go at this stress in our everyday lives and work to change it?

 

TAKE A STEP BACK. What I mean is, in order to make change, you have to really see what is going on. Look at your life and the result of some of the choices you’ve made.  Look at the relationships that mean something to you, and see the impact.  Once you see it, you have a shot at changing it.

FIND THE COURAGE TO SAY NO AND DO LESS. We have become the society of people who believe the more you do the better you are.  Challenge yourself to realize that there is little truth in this. Learn your limit and stick to it.

LIVE IN THE MOMENT. Yes, we’ve heard it a million times; you know why?  Because it’s true.  Everything you do can become an experience. Challenge yourself not to think about what it is you haven’t done, or what it is you need to do later.  Try staying where you are right now.

CHANGE THE RECORD. Whatever record you have playing in your mind about who you are in the world, what you need to do, and why you need to do it, you may want to change it.  Make sure you are listening to something from inside yourself that is supportive and positive with no judgment.  It’s a gift that costs nothing and can move your thoughts, and eventually your life, to a place in which you can wake up in the morning and want to be.

2011 Texas Conference for Women speaker Liz Pryor is “Good Morning America’s” advice guru, a modern-day Dear Abby.  She also writes a weekly online column at ABCnews.com and her own “Dear Liz” page for advice seekers.