Monday, January 28, 2013

Letting Go Of Stress


Stress seems to find its way into our lives in a variety of ways. Many people don;t know that stress can be good in that it inspires us to make change and look for new options - but when stress gets out of control, it can be a real problem. Too much stress and strain can cause issues with health, abundance, and relationships all while detracting from what we are able to experience each day in our lives. The good news is that just as much as our bodies and minds are able to respond to stress, they are also able to help us relieve stress and return to a state of relaxed balance. Today I'd like to share some of my favorite stress-relieving practices with you and share some resources with you as well.
Instant Stress Relief
No matter where you are or what your stress is about, there's one thing that experts agree will help relieve stress quicker than anything else - breathing. When we get stressed, we tend to breathe shallowly with our chests and shoulders. This reinforces the stress and only causes more since shallow breathing usually only happens when we are in 'fight or flight' mode. Learning to control the breath and switch to deep, slow, belly breathing can actually stop stressful thoughts, calm the body, relax the nervous system, and generate a deep sense of well-being.
The best way to belly breathe is to inhale slowly through the nose while focusing on the breath going all the way down to your feet. Hold for a moment, then exhale very slowly through pursed lips. In 3-5 breaths you should start to feel a warm, calm feeling pass over your body, mind, and emotions.
The Power Of Thought
What we think has an instant effect on what we feel. When stressed out, we are more likely to think in terms of 'what if', focusing on negative possibilities. When stress kicks in, sometimes all it takes to stop the worrisome thoughts right in their tracks and return the body to a state of peace is a few minutes of positive thinking. Letting yourself daydream about things that bring you joy, imagining good things, or creating positive spins on any frustrating things that may be happening in your life right now. It's amazing just how much a few positive thoughts can spill over and create a positive day!
Relaxation & Meditation
If you have computer speakers, an MP3 player, or a smart phone, you can take powerful relaxation and meditation sessions with you anywhere you go! You can listen while you lay in bed at night, or even take breaks throughout the day to go on a relaxing journey. Below are links to some totally free downloadable audio sessions that you're sure to love...

Friday, January 11, 2013

Making 2013 The Best Year Yet


Happy New Year! I am so excited to be starting a brand new journey and getting another year to grow, learn, and share. I have a feeling that 2013 is going to be amazing for al of us!
Many people celebrate the New Year by making lists of resolutions, goals, or wishes. I love that idea, but I also like to think about actions I can take each month in order to keep myself positive. Come June, it can be hard to remember just how motivated we were in January! For this reason, I like to write words of inspiration on each month of my new calendar. This helps remind me just how important a new year can be, and what was important to me during the first month of the year.
One thing you can do is to think of a word that starts with the same letter of the month. Here's an example...
Jumping January - get cardio exercise, jump rope, and jog!
Feeling February - journal about emotions and see what needs to be explored.
Munchy March - have lunch with friends once a week all month long.
Affirmation April - say affirmations every morning all month long.
Map May - go somewhere new this month!
Jovial June - Laughter is the best medicine! Make this a month of funny movies, comedy clubs, and humorous books.
Jogging July - increase jogging ability by one mile this month.
Awesome August - have fun, try new things, laugh all the time!
Secret September - send a secret surprise treat to someone every week this month.
Opportunity October - look for ways to make positive changes in your life. See where there's room for imporovement.
No Negativity November - Choose to think positive and catch yourself thinking negatively this month. Remember, 3 good thoughts cancels a negative one!
Dancing December - Take a salsa class, go dancing every weekend!
How fun is that? Those are just examples, so feel free to make up your own. You could also use words that don't share the first letter of the month, or even clip out sayings or affirmations that will be your focus for the entire month.
2013 can be the best year yet if we step into it with a smile, a positive outlook, and a belief in miracles!
Happy New Year!

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Simple Ways To Have An Amazing 2013


Happy New Year!
I am so excited to be starting a brand new year, and I've been thinking a lot about how to create the most amazing year ever in 2013! If you're on board to make the this the best year of your life, I've got some simple tips that just might help you transform the past into something beautiful for the future while taking advantage of ever opportunity and blessing along the way.
Enjoy!

Release With Gratitude
The best way to take in all the wisdom from the past - and to ensure that only the good things follow you - is to take some time to consciously release the past and express gratitude for it. Making a list of the most noteable things that happened in your life in 2012 and really trying to see the good and the meaning they had for your life is a powerful experience. The good, the bad, and the neutral should all be looked at equally. Often times it's the hard things that give us the most to be grateful for in the end. Taje time to review, get a new perspective, and then let 2012 become part of your past as you free yourself to a limitless future!
Make S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Taking time to actually write out a list of things you'd like to accomplish, experience, and conquer in 2013 can be a very moving experience. Let yourself dream freely, but consider using the S.M.A.R.T. technique when listing things out: Your goals should be Simple, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and True for you.
Give Freely
The best way to transform your year into something magical is to make it a point to give freely. Choose a topic, charity, or energy for each of the 12 months ahead and go out of tyour way to give that month. You may choose to donate clothing to a women's shelter in January, give money to an animal rescue charity in February, donate time to a special care home in March, and so on. Giving is not limited to money or items - so don't hesitate to make your time, presence, and energy the gift you give all year!

Here's to an amazing 2013 for us all!
 
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