Stress Free— It’s Up to Me!

By Tess Marshall

In the last two months I turned fifty, two of my daughters married, my mom fell again (broke her arm), and a life-long friend was diagnosed with cancer. Needless to say, I’ve been under a lot of stress. My emotions have been comparable to a roller coaster ride. What I have found is that it’s easier to cope with life’s big events when the smaller events in my life are under control and in balance. Areas you can focus on to reduce stress in times of crisis are:

Promises and Commitments
Give less and take more. Refuse to make promises to others that deplete you. Make a list of your promises and delete the one’s you can’t handle. Ask your friends and family for help. I was careful not to put too much in my schedule while in Phoenix for the wedding. My one promise to Kara was that I would do the flowers. One of her requests was for wrist corsages. Because I never made them before I picked up the phone and ordered them from a local florist. I did the rest myself. Mission accomplished and stress saved!

Relaxation and time out
Give yourself down time everyday. The busier or more stressed you are the more you need relaxation. Sit still, enjoy an ice-cream cone, do any mindless activity. We stayed at a resort and spa and spent a lot of time floating on the “lazy river” in Phoenix. Roger managed to golf five days out of eight.

Stick to your daily routines
It is important to me that I exercise daily. My mom has been diagnosed with osteoporosis. I now do weight training and have increased my calcium intake in addition to my daily run. I have increased prayer time and decreased worry. I listen to tapes of my favorite minister during driving time. I also decided to give up coffee and now drink tea. I spoke and signed books in Chicago last week and found a new teapot and cups while shopping in Lincoln Park.

Relationships
I have given up relationships with family and friends that repeatedly disappoint, frustrate, or disrespect me. I give more time to those I enjoy the most. We are taking our grandchildren to a Detroit Tiger ballgame this weekend and to Mackinac Island over Memorial Day weekend. I had so much fun dancing with them at the wedding and seeing them dressed up in their finest! I feel blessed to have them in my life. They exude joy!

It is easier when I live in the present moment. I remind myself everyday that God has a plan and it’s bigger and better than mine. I am not in control. In fact my only job is to accept and surrender!

Tess Marshall is the author of Flying by the Seat of My Soul. Her book is available on her website www.flyingbytheseatofmysoul.com and in area bookstores.