Stressing Yourself Out: National Stress Awareness Day

Everybody has drama in their life. It’s unavoidable. Face it, the sooner you accept that, the better off you’ll be.

But ask yourself this: Am I the person CAUSING the drama?

It seems that some o’ y’all ain’t happy unless there’s something incredibly wrong and you’re wrapped up in it. And even when you’re NOT the source of ignition, you’re the oxygen for the fire.

Try some of these simple suggestions, today (one, some or all):

• Shut up. Yeah, I said it. Shut up! You’d be surprised how quickly an argument can end when you stop talking. Remember, some people thrive on adversity… …and chaos.
• Walk away. Sometimes, we involve ourselves in situations where we’re not invited or needed. Some things will even manage themselves. Recognize the signs and act accordingly (“Know when to hold them, know when to fold them. Know when to walk away, know when to run…”).
• Ignore him/her/them. Again, some people need an audience or at least, an adversary. Don’t give in to another person’s madness. If it ain’t worthy of your time or attention, don’t feed it.
• Forgive him/her. This is one of the hardest things to do. But if you can summon the strength, energy and the courage, you’ll be surprised how much better you’ll feel. It not only is a great example of taking the moral high road, but the burden you remove from your chest will literally help you breathe easier and sleep better. Trust me, I’m speaking from experience. And here’s an even greater challenge. Once you forgive them, TELL them you’ve forgiven them.
• Mind your own business. Like I said before, involving yourself in areas that aren’t your concern can be dangerous. Especially if there is moment of reckoning. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself amidst the suspected and/or the questioned aka witnesses.
• Change the channel. Synonymous with walking away, spend less time focusing on things that bring about frustration. I know someone that starts and ends his day on Facebook and Twitter and almost always ends up in an argument with someone or enraged or depressed about what he’s read. Dude, If you don’t like horror movies, stop watching horror! Find something different to do or someplace else to go with your time. Seeing some repetition here? Good. It’s all about choices…
• Music, music, music. I personally love to listen to music when things get tough. Sometimes I’ll have to get right back into the fray, but taking a time-out to relax and reset always helps.

And for the more serious issues…

• Take time away. Are you overdue for a vacation? Can you get away for a day? An hour? Do it. And when you do, don’t talk about it (your problems), don’t even think about it. Trust me, they’ll be there when you get back. Remember, sometimes you just need recharging.
• Don’t call him/her. Once again, the underlying theme: Walking into the fire. If someone is bad for you, stop seeking them out. If they like to argue, don’t get involved in conversation. If they’re abusive, stay clear. If they break your heart, don’t look for the one to hurt you to be the one to heal you. Like Karyn White sang, “I’d Rather Be Alone Than Be Unhappy”.
• Call him/her. No, not the same person. Call someone who DOES bring you joy and comfort, then enjoy a conversation with them. Talk about anything and everything, or nothing at all. Find someone who needs your encouragement, don’t just look for one to comfort YOU.
• Tell somebody you love them. Call a random friend or relative and tell them how much you care about them. Telling someone you love them is just as spiritually enriching for yourself as it is for others.
• Seek professional help. There is a chance that you might be suffering from something unknown, long-term and/or beyond your control. It never hurts to seek professional help. I would recommend a spiritual counselor, but whatever works; consider and pursue it.
• Pray. Yup, the age-old solution to age-old problems. Pray about it. Turn it over to God. Ask for help. Give thanks. Talk about your difficulties. Ask Him to bless others. He will always be the ultimate “go to” guy. Remember, not just because you need Him. Pray simply because He’s there.

I know the outcome will seem strange, but trust me, you’ll live longer. Heart disease and strokes ain’t the only major killers around here. Your mouth and attitude can easily lead to soul-dissolving stress or a serious *ss whoopin…

Have a nice day. I dare you…

National Stress Awareness Day

The preceding items are taken from an old post of mine from Facebook from years ago, but I feel they’re just as relevant now as they were then. Yes, they’re simple solutions, but if you think about it, we often overcomplicate situations and our lives. Trust me, it ain’t as bad as it seems. Be thankful for the life you have, give thanks and don’t waste it.

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