What to do when you are stressed!

How often do we wish our stress away? As soon as our discomfort meters begin to rise we often run straight back to our comfort zone! However a certain amount of stress and tension is a natural part of life and essential for our growth and awakening.

Just like the transformation of the caterpillar to the butterfly. The caterpillar requires the tension of the struggle out of the cocoon in order to sufficiently develop it's wings. If it is helped out of the cocoon too early it's wings are too weak for it to fly!

You too require a small amount of stress in your life to fully soar as the awesome human being that you are! However a small amount of stress can quickly become a raging ball of stress if we keep pouring fuel on it and don't take a breath!  Ouch!

Stress is not the problem, they way we respond to it is.  

After many years of working as a therapist with people facing high levels of stress, I have discovered that stress is an alarm bell for transformation. If we have the courage and wisdom to listen to it we can use our stress to transform our lives. 

I am currently putting together an online stress management program that is designed to walk you, step by glorious step, from stress to serenity. It is filled to the brim with juicy interviews with hand picked experts, meditation exercises, a packed toolbox of de-stress tools and profound new perspectives to have you exhaling with relief! Ahh the serenity! In fact I'm off to Bali in September to work on it... and to have some chillax de-stress time myself! I'm very excited to share it with you, so stay tuned for the launch dates later in the year! 

In the meantime the following are my 5 quick tips to master stress.

1. Self Care – Allow high levels of stress to be the alarm bell for increased nourishment. Ding ding ding! Rather than complain that you are stressed. Use the discomfort in your body and mind as a prompt to stop, listen and make change. Balance the stress levels with the self care activities that you know will nourish and relax you. Eat well, exercise daily, meditate, express yourself, write, dance, sing, paint, have a long bath, get a massage, spend time in nature, book a weekend away or a holiday. High levels of stress is the alarm bell to increase the amount of self care in your life!
   
   
2. Spaciousness – An increase in pressure requires an increase in space, so use the stress alarm to create more space in your day. Make appointments with yourself to look after you. Book it into your diary and make yourself a priority. Delegate some tasks to others to free up your time. Allow children and work colleagues to do tasks for themselves that they are capable of. Give yourself one minute to breathe and just 'be' in between your 'doing' tasks. Clear out the clutter in your home, office and life in general so that it is simplified and filled with only people, activities and objects that are of high value to you. Meditate and create some space in your mind!
   
   
3. Support- There are often many people around you who can also support you in stressful times. Ask for help. Your community are your tribe who are there to help lighten the load. There is also a whole variety of therapists and coaches out there who can guide you through a stressful time, step by step.  So you don't have to do it all yourself. Take your superhero undies off the outside and call in the troops! Behind every great achievement is a great support team.  Join my peace party and undertake the Wellness Adventure! Words from my grateful clients found here.
   
   
4. Surrender – The areas in our lives that create the most stress are the areas that we often feel the most insecure. Open, surrender and dive into the core of stress. Explore your mental patterns and emotional insecurities. Use stress as a time to reveal the depths of darkness within and let go of some of the baggage you've been carrying. At the depths of stress are some sweet lessons to be learnt. Stressed spelled backwards is desserts! Ha! Could it be true that stress is really the apple pie of life?  Hidden amongst the discomfort of stress are the keys to us finding joy and sweetness. If we have the wisdom and courage to investigate our stress then the joy of our true nature is uncovered.
   
   
5. Shift Perception – Stress is a call from within guiding us to see the big picture of life. The ultimate stress relief is to wake up to our true nature.  To see the value and growth in the tough times. To make necessary changes in our lives to thrive. To laugh at ourselves and see the playful side of life rather than the seriousness. To enjoy the simple things and to cherish the moment that is here... exactly as it is. Stress is a reminder of our humanness and our preciousness. You are a magnificent being and stress is your reminder to live your life in honour of this simple truth.

DING DING! Don't ignore the stress alarm... your health, happiness and awakening depends on it!

I'd love to hear in the comments below, what is your favourite de-stress activity and please share the love with your tribe!