Stress has been proven to be the silent killer of many things: happiness, mental health, physical health and peace of mind. 

Everyone wants to lower it but it’s very difficult to do in our society.

We are bombarded with so many messages and expected to be “on” and “available” all the time that it’s hard to back away.

But you must.  Back away from it all.  We learned the hard way but by getting away from your computer, phone and all things technology for set periods of time will bring you more peace.

It may seem like a small step, but think about how much time you spend being available to others via technology.  Your family is important, not the technology. Do you really need to let everyone know you are at Starbucks or that you had a stressful day?  Put the gadgets down and pick your happiness up!

Here are a few simple things to do and if you try them all every day, you will lower that stress quotient:

1. 1. Breathe… yes it’s been studied and we are all mostly shallow breathers.  Breathe deep in through your nose down to your stomach long and hard.  Then out through your mouth very slow and long until there’s nothing left.  Every day you should do this 10 times each time you feel stress.  Then note it down in our free, private “Daily Mood and Attitude” journal and start to see that it really does work!
      
      
   2. Turn off all the machines and go for the green!
      
      We write and consult a lot so this is hard for us too.  But you need to have that time out with nature to connect with yourself and dial down that stress level!
      
      
   3. Do your passion “thing”
      Is it Painting? Photography? Hockey? Something you’d like to learn? Whatever… make time for it in your life more often. 
      Too many of us haven’t found that job that gives us our passions too.  I’ve been lucky but I know how you may be feeling from being in that job that sucks the life out of you now…..
      PS:  Your passion is that thing that makes time go by so fast when you are doing it!  And we’re only talking about LEGAL passions here folks!
      
      
   4. Meditate - Oh my god.. this is a hard one for many of us. But let me first tell you why this is important for you and what we now know.
      Research has proven that even within company environments that meditation has been the number one thing that has helped people to lower stress and become more productive!  That’s all based on science…. Buddha, Gandhi and Jesus all knew this back in their day… it’s not just metaphysical anymore people!  It’s worked for thousands of years.
      We recently met a new “soul friend” who is a passionate therapist and stress handler.  She said to go out and buy the book: “The Power of Stillness in Thirty Days” It has different types of meditation techniques that you can try each day to see what works for you. One of those meditations worked for me even though I’m one of those that say “I could never sit still”. 
      There are so many options that one should resonate with you.  Mine was the one that my soul friend does:  go behind a waterfall and let the worries and stressors fall through and down the waterfall…. I love it. It works for me.  Find the one that works for you! 
      It has made a difference.  Not one person we’ve met that practices this has said it hasn’t transformed their lives and their stress levels.  It works.  Give it a whirl.
      
      
   5.  A Place of Peace - It’s important to have “you time”.  That is not only a time for you away from work or family issues, but also a place.  If you create a place with your favorite non-work, non-commitment items, then you have a refuge for you. 
      Your refuge should be stress-free and include your favorite photos, scents, music and colors for instance. 
      And guess what?  It can be as tiny as a little comfortable, yet worn chair with a table of your favorites.  It’s a place where you can get away alone.  Have one of those little mini fountains flowing.  Listen to music and light your favorite candle you have had for years but didn’t want to use until the “right time”.  Do it now.  Enjoy your time with yourself surrounded by your most beautiful things.
      This is a place where you can breathe and meditate even if it’s only for a few minutes in the day. 
      It will de-stress you!
      
      
   6.  Journal - Yes this is another one that seems trivial to many, however if you think about it, putting your feelings down helps you to get them in perspective.  Sometimes it helps you to leave them there and move on.  We believe in it so much that we created a tool you can use to help remind you to journal online in a private place for yourself.  Give it a try and see how it makes you feel.  It has worked for so many people throughout time it’s worth a try.

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