You probably think I'm wacko, but it's true - stress can be your best friend! Stress is actually a positive experience to be channeled to improve your life.
For instance, let me tell you about a small moment of stress I faced a few minutes ago.
Just before I boarded my flight from Phoenix to Seattle, I was talking to my husband Wade on my cell phone. Toward the end of our conversation, he told me how someone had commented on how the kids are dressed better when I'm around.
Now, I already know some of the things he's taken the kids to church in.....YIKES!
But, then he proceeds to tell me how Maegan had syrup in her hair, and it was all tangled, and he couldn't brush it out; so he took her over to the baby sitter that way anyway (uh-oh).
When he picked her up, they said they were going to do swimming the next day, so he took her back the next day the same way so the swimming could wash it out!!!
I about DIED!
No wonder they commented!!!!!
Now, to me, that is definitely a moment of stress!
But did you know that I gave me an opportunity to make my life and Maegan's life better?
Here, let me walk you through it.
How did I feel when I hear this story? I felt a little angry, embarrassed, frustrated, incredulous, shocked...
But did you know that it is a good thing that I felt that way? It is a good thing because it meant that it was going to cause some action.
Now, I could do a harmful type reaction and have an argument with husband, never go on a trip again, etc
or....I can use that emotion to think of a solution so that it doesn't happen again.
Which is precisely what I did.
First, I explained to my husband how to brush a girls long hair. It never occurred to me that I was the only one brushing her hair - and being a girl with long hair, it never occurred to me that someone would start brushing it from top on down! No wonder he could never get the tangles out. So, now he knows to start at the bottom and work his way up.
Secondly, I explained to him that when syrup is in the hair, you HAVE TO WASH IT! I don't know if he was waiting for it to deteriorate :-), or if he thought it would rub off on her pillow :-) or what......it's probably best I DON'T know what he thought! But anyway....
Thirdly, I explained how I washed her hair. Actually, as I right this, it is soooo hard NOT to laugh. I mean, for the moment our first two boys were born, Wade's done everything in taking care of them. And I guess he did for Maegan too, until her hair started getting long. Who would have known that a little hair could scare such a big, strong guy so much?
But, in a way, I do understand. Her head is sensitive from her cranial surgery, and he is particularly sensitive to his daughter. If she says "oww", he can't tell if it's real or not. I guess that's a mom thing.
Anyway - after I went through all of that, I told him when he needed to brush her hair and how often he had to wash it.
I just created a system so that the next time I'm on a trip, she will look great, he won't feel lost, and I won't be embarrassed.
If you look at ANY situation in life, you can go through the same process. You can face a stimulus, negatively re-act, or creatively solve.
What is in your life right now, this very second, that you are stressed about? Are you just ignoring it, hoping that it will go away? Are you trying to cover it up with eating, or are you suffering physically by lack of sleep from worry and insomnia?
Here's five steps to put your subconscious out of commission and use your conscious mind to use the stress to improve your life:
Stress can be your friend. Without it, you'll never be motivated to make a change for the better. And, it will NEVER go away. Life will never reach the point where everything goes great all the time.
And don't forget to teach this to your kids! They can have such an advantage in life to learn now how to positively channel negative experience into an opportunity for growth.
You can do the written exercise with them - or hey, you can even do it while cooking!
Show them:
You'll be teaching them really valuable important life skills and they'll be having the time of their life doing it!
About The Author
Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: "Homeschool Cooking in a Box" and the "Homeschool Cookbook". She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum that includes lots of recipes with cinnamon, visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com
Workplace stress is on the rise and it's costing corporate... Read More
I recently received this e-mail message about stress management (author... Read More
A grandfather, whose grandson came to him angry at a... Read More
Meditation, relaxation and visualisation are the standard recommendations for reducing... Read More
Use these simple tips to minimize stress in your day... Read More
At what age does the benefit of play cease? Child... Read More
Rest.It's a good thing to do. As the story goes,... Read More
Q: We recently had someone come to our company to... Read More
I hope by reading this article you will see the... Read More
There are times in every person's life when things do... Read More
Question 1"How do I get more time to play?"Answer: Schedule... Read More
Stress. The word brings to mind many different definitions doesn't... Read More
Anyone who has ever worked knows that stress is part... Read More
The main problem in a down economy is that workplaces... Read More
Have you ever considered sewing a handbag as an act... Read More
Burt Reynolds revealed his vulnerable side when he realized he... Read More
Do you feel tense and anxious at work? Do your... Read More
... Read More
"One day I'm a mother, One day I'm a lover,... Read More
Several studies, including one of medical students around exam time,... Read More
June is the month of the honey moon. Custom holds... Read More
It was one of the first words you learned to... Read More
When we think about stress in the workplace, we usually... Read More
A while back, I was in a minor fender-bender accident,... Read More
One question that is not asked enough by people under... Read More
Life is funny.Throughout the day, there are plenty of humorous... Read More
Q:We recently had someone come to our company to talk... Read More
The future is nothing but a fantasy or a daydream,... Read More
Q. I've been told that I need to learn from... Read More
In the fast-paced world that we live in today, it... Read More
IntroductionTime magazine called stress the "The Epidemic of the Eighties".... Read More
?And holding it way down inside you like an old... Read More
What do you think of when you see that word?... Read More
The brain uses feel-good transmitters called endorphins when managing daily... Read More
One of the best ways to combat stress and depression... Read More
So many of us live a stressful life. Unfortunately, when... Read More
The best way to reduce your stress is to really... Read More
There are many kinds of daily grinds. In the U.S.... Read More
Lake Hopatcong, NJ (PRWEB) November 30, 2004 -- Here are... Read More
At what age does the benefit of play cease? Child... Read More
Probably the least appreciated form of stress is college stress.... Read More
Stress is normal. Stress is OK. Stress is the same... Read More
I recently received this e-mail message about stress management (author... Read More
What is Stress?Stress may be defined as the three-way relationship... Read More
A little stress is good for us until it becomes... Read More
There may be so much you want to change in... Read More
All stress comes from believing a thought that argues with... Read More
Anyone who has ever worked knows that stress is part... Read More
Whenever we think of 'stress', negative thoughts come into our... Read More
Is your in-tray or inbox full? I don't normally check... Read More
You probably think I'm wacko, but it's true - stress... Read More
When a great Zen Master returned to his country after... Read More
Q: We recently had someone come to our company to... Read More
In his book, The 22 Non-Negotiable Laws of Wellness, author... Read More
The Problem You don't need me to tell you how... Read More
We wonder how many of you might recognise this scenario?... Read More
In our article about Exercise & Stress, we looked at... Read More
When was the last time you took a day just... Read More
Deceiving? You bet they are. How? Without your even knowing... Read More
Caring for a chronically ill loved one can be one... Read More
Why are you so busy? Do you really have too... Read More
Syndicated columnist Dale Dauten recently wrote, "One of life's great... Read More
"Watch your language."We all heard this admonition as kids and... Read More
ExcusesWe all have them. It amazes me how creative I... Read More
Often, in today's fast paced world, we forget to take... Read More
"When you breathe, you inspire. When you do not breathe,... Read More
Stress Management |