Not a resolution for the new year, but a reminder.
About stress. About how easily it takes on steam. About how it becomes a steam roller crushing reason, enjoyment, and certainly health.
Given that I prefer annual reminders or guiding principles to resolutions – a watchword or catch phrase that I can flash like a billboard across my brain – I’m targeting excessive stress as my adversary. I’m going to battle it, smartly.
For 2013, I’m setting my sights on smelling the proverbial roses in the midst of a crazy schedule and the usual worries – money, health, work, kids, and of course, relationships.
My method for reducing stress?
It’s simple. Stop and breathe.
Sure, sure. I tossed aside “control your breathing” recommendations a few months back, but they involved so much complexity I’d need a PhD to follow through. Still, I can remind myself to stop a spiral into stress by feeling the ground beneath my feet and taking a deep breath.
It won’t be easy for me. I admit to my perfectionist tendencies.
However, I’m resolved to try. I’m resolved to focusing on other means for managing stress as well, routines that have worked previously, a brisk daily walk among them. This is about forming and sticking to good habits. But I must develop a new habit – the habit of saying STOP – to myself.
And yes, taking a deep breath.
As for bad habits, experts say we can break a bad habit and replace it with a new (healthier) one in anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
It shouldn’t be so difficult to appreciate the pleasures that pop up when we least expect, allowing them to counteract the work-life depletion that takes such a heavy toll.
I’m focusing on those roses. I’m stopping to breathe their fragrance.
I’ll let you know how I’m doing. Anyone care to join me in this effort? Anyone also seeking a measure of calm – or at least, less stress – as part of your goals in the coming year?
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I have a lot more to do in the first half of 2013, more work, more study, more travel. So I imagine there will be a significant level of stress but after 2012 I hope I have learnt to cope better.
Go with the flow kind of attitude – roll with the punches, hoping not to be running on adrenalin but more on a calmer sense of faith that it will get done – no point worrying or that adds to the stress.
I also have decided to put the white flag up earlier – a cry for help if needed to ask others to assist rather than feeling I am the only one who will do it properly.
Have a wonderful New Year celebration – mine has been quiet and reflective, just how I like it.
It’s already 2013 here – looks like a good one to me.
Best wishes to you x
Happy 2013, Vicki Lee!
Sounds like you have wonderful plans for the year. Wishing you less stress in your studies, and you’re so right about worrying adding to the stress.
Great reminders…I just came off of my son’s wedding weekend and a very stressful December. Today, I am only wearing PJs and a robe, and stopping to breathe! Happy New Year!!
PJs and robe sounds great, Pam! (I hope the wedding was lovely. Big events, even the happy ones, can be so stressful.) Have a relaxing New Year’s!
Stopping. And. Taking A Breath.
Yes.
And bubbles baths and smiling and friends and telling the truth and letting it go and Art and books and catching up with you on your blog.
Less stress. More fun. Sometimes it is just a simple choice.
Waving from here. To you.
_tg xx
Now, those beathing excercises a few months back were just wacky. Sometimes the simplest things work best.
Happy New Year, D! May it bring all that you hope for…
Bisous,
H
You, too, Heather! About to have a nice little meal and a great glass of merlot!
Pas trop affreux pour commencer le nouvel an. Il pleut… sinon, je serai en train de marcher et après – la bouffe, et pas la malbouffe non plus !
Happy New Year, D! Stop and Breathe – Simple, but so so true. Great reminder as we start the new year.