SEVEN - SIMPLE STRESS BUSTERS

1. Look around you at all the ways you have created your lifestyle. Whydid you make each lifestyle choice? Why do you work the hours you do?Why are your relationships in the state they are in?
This exercise helpsyou to remember that almost everything inis a direct result of a choice we have made and that we have the powerand the freedom to make a new choice anytime.

2. What are your priorities? How important is your spirituality, your family,your professional identity?
Consider this ranking when you're called tomake choices and compromises.When have you put your identity, your plans, and your self-nurturing onhold while you took care of someone else?

3. If you had 15 to 30 minutes each day for yourself, how would you spendit?
Schedule time for yourself. Mark it in your day planner or on the familycalendar.

4. How much of your stress level is the effect of over-dramatization?
Remind yourself that the level of stress you experience is directly relatedto the way you internalize it and the importance you place on your owndramatization.

5.Do nutrition and exercisecontribute to your stress orhelp you manage it?
If youaren't sure, keep anenergy diary to help youdetermine the hiddenfactors in your lifestyle thatmay be robbing you ofenergy. Make a plan tochange or eliminatethose influences.Log the times each daywhen you feel beat orburned out. For me, it's 3pm -- about the time I wantto hit the cookie jar. Try toschedule your workout (not a great big snack) for the time of day whenyou need an energy boost.

6. How easy is it for you to say "no"?
Respect yourself and your timeenough to delegate tasks and refuse to take on more than you canhandle.

7. Are you multi-tasking yourself into more stress?
When we try to do toomuch at once, we are raising, not lowering, our stress level. Multi-taskonly when you can realistically fulfill all tasks adequately. It's hard to tuneinto your kids while you catch up on your own reading, for example, andyou can't take time out for yourself while simultaneously devoting thetime to anyone else. Decide which tasks deserve your fullattention. Then give it.