Stressbusters Part III

Almost everyone have heard the hit single 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' by Bobby McFerrin. The song has a very catchy way of conveying its message of being happy to everyone. Bobby Mcferrin's simple message surely made a lot of people by telling them not to worry.

Living a happy, resilient and optimistic life is wonderful, and is also good for your health. Being happy actually protects you from the stresses of life. Stress is linked to top causes of death such as heart disease, cancer and stroke.

We've asked some of the top experts in the U.S. to share their thoughts.

1. Stop fretting about how to reduce stress - you already have enough to worry about.

2. Notice how your worry patterns go along the same lines as those of your parents. For example, your parents may have had real money problems - check reality to see whether your's are neurotic or real.

3. Control your worrying - don't let it control you. Observe how you worry and give the power to that observer part of you.

The last point is the only one that really matters. Only when you know how you are stressing yourself will you have the information you need to change that behaviour. We cannot unravel a knot until we know how it is tied.

There isn't necessarily a one size fits all as we all tie our knots in different ways.

Philippa Perry

1. Create a mental picture of the feeling you would prefer having instead of the stress. For example, think of relaxing on a beach, or walking on a mountain path. Rehearse this image ahead of time so you can draw upon it in stressful situations.

2. Develop a phrase that will help you get through the stressful situation. For example, "this too shall pass," or "I am strong enough to move through this situation." And lightly tap the side of your hand between your little finger and your wrist with your opposite index and middle finger. Tapping this acupressure point while repeating your mantra (either hand is OK) will calm the stress response.

3. Combine numbers 1 and 2 and while taking relaxing breaths for an even more powerful stress reducer.

Peter Pearson

1. Daily Exercise

2. Write down the worries at the present moment and become conscious of them

3. Take time to have some distraction from the worries

Rómulo Lander

My ATP formula goes like this: you have a problem of any personal kind: With A (allies) you think (T) better so that you better plan (P).

Russell Gardner, M.D.

MY TIPS FOR REDUCING STRESS

First tip:

Using self-talk in which I OWN THAT I AM STRESSING MYSELF.

Second tip:

Use the THREE RULES FOR DE-STRESSING

1. Restore PERSONAL CONTROL of the situation (usually means being ASSERTIVE about my NEEDS) including accepting that I can only control myself.

2. Renew COMMITMENT TO SELF (especially to genuine self-love, including commitment to DE-STRESS) equals Make a decision.

3. Accept the CHALLENGE OF CHANGING this present situation (including forming positive habits, breaking negative habits) Usually means commanding the muscles to move, and lowering standards.

Third tip (when the stress is so bad that I am depressing myself):

Use my FIRST AID for LOWERED FEELINGS

1. ENDORSE myself for deciding to use these ideas

2. Get into PRESENT REALITY (no control of future or past. Be objective = GET REAL).

3. Make a small DECISION to do something do-able

4. Plan to MOVE MUSCLES on something UNFINISHED this day.

5. ENDORSE myself again and again for effort, not for success.

Elizabeth Cleary