Who isn’t stressed right now?    We’re in the midst of political change, economic turmoil and to top it off, the holidays are upon us!    Many of us, when feeling fear and stress, turn to varying degrees of self-destructive, or at least derailing  behaviors.    Under stress it is harder than ever to maintain our resolve to act in powerful ways.   We turn to food and drink for comfort, we are more irritable so we snap at our loved ones, not to mention the cashier at the gorcery store, (Oh yeah, it’s not her fault the price of food is sky rocketing), we get defensive when our boss makes a request and, we just plain forget to breathe!  Any of this sounding familiar?

So, what’s a Stress Ball to do?

As the Serenity Prayer tells us, “God grant me the serentiy to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.”

1. Sort it out.  What are the parts of what’s going on around you that you can do someting about and what is out of your hands?  Spend your energy in places where you can make a difference.  Don’t rehash what’s gone before, complaining or bemoaning the past.  Do something, no matter how small that will move you and others forward.
2. Find the good in the situation.  Consider the possibilities that these circumstances might create.  I know it isn’t always obvious in the moment, but I’ve seldom seen a difficult situation not result in some gain.  It might be as simple as learning just how resilient you are or it may be that you get the job of your dreams after being laid off.  Add a little sugar, a little water and some ice to that lemon and you’ve got yourself some sweet lemonade!
3. Rise above it.  Don’t get sucked into everyone else’s gloom and doom.  It’s true, misery loves company. But it’s tough to feel good about yourself and the world at the end of the day when all you’ve done is bitch and moan and listen to others do the same.  Spend time with people who are optimistic, active, healthy and forward looking.  Stay on track with what you want for yourself.  If you are committed to being healthy, stay with that intention.  When you are tempted to bury your fears in chocolate, stay strong.  Find a healthy alternative to sooth your angst.  Go for a walk, meditate, get busy on a project you’ve been putting off or make a positive contribution to someone else.  Remember, if you surrender to your momentary whim, you’ll regret it tomorrow!
4. Take action.  Don’t just sit there.  Do something.  Sometimes I’m in such a funk I can’t figure out what to do.  At those times, I’m tempted to pick up the phone and call a friend and whine and complain.  At the end of the call, I’m no better off.  A better strategy is to ask for help.  I choose to talk with people who I know will give me a good, supportive, loving Kick in the butt and make me laugh and then I’m good to go!
5. Be bold!  A great line from the movie Risky Business:  ‘Sometimes you gotta say, what the @%#!, make your move…every now and then, saying what the @%#! gives you freedom.  Freedom brings oportunity.  Opportunity makes your future.  Take some risks, follow your heart!

Challenge:  Make a list of all of the possible positive things you hope to come out of these difficult times.  Now, go forth and manifest them!!