Q: What if I just can't meditate?
A: You always hear about the benefits of meditation, but many people find it difficult to meditate. So, if meditation doesn't work for you then there are about a million other stress relieving techniques you can try out!
Q: Is there something I can do every day that can manage stress?
A: With so many daily stressors to contend with, most of us are in need of stress relief on a daily basis. Is there one practice that can protect us from the effects of daily stress? There is not an end all cure for all stressors that we come in contact with. The important thing to find is what helps relieve your stress. Maybe it’s taking a walk everyday or eating healthy. Once you find the stress management tools that work for you use them every day.
Q: How much stress is too much?
A: We all like excitement in our lives. Sometimes fun things can also cause us stress, and managing stress becomes challenging. Many of us, especially overachievers and 'adrenaline junkies', take on as much as possible, only to feel stressed and overwhelmed. If you have been feeling enabled then take a step back and re-evaluate the important things in your life. De-junk your life of any bad energy so that you can truly live your life to the fullest.
Q: What are the main causes of stress?
A: Chances are, many things in your life cause stress, and that stress affects your health and happiness. Changing your way of thinking is one of the best coping mechanisms to combat the stresses in your life.
Q: How does positive thinking impact stress level?
Positive thinking changes everything. For example I gave an example in my blog of two people riding a roller coaster. They are on the same ride, but having completely different experiences. If you can figure out how to convert your distress to eustress, you will have found the key to much happiness in your life, regardless of the hardships that come your way.
Q: How important is sleep in keep a positive attitude and in reducing stress?
A: Attaining quality sleep is very important to your physical and emotional health, as well as your personal productivity, for many reasons. Just think about that night that you didn't get enough sleep and how grumpy you were the next day. Even little tasks seem overwhelming and your ability to be happy is significantly reduced. Get at least 6-8 hours of sleep.
Q: How can positive thinking help me in my relationships with other people?
A: There have been times in our lives that we have been around positive and negative people. We tend to stay away from the negative people because their thoughts and outlook on life is poisonous and ultimately draining. We gravitate and enjoy the company of positive people. If we emulate the attitudes and actions of the positive people we know our love for others will increase and our relationships will in turn be more fulfilling.
Q: How much can exercise affect my ability to think positively?
A: Endorphins are essential to making a person happy. Some big factors that endorphins help are stress and pain. It's almost as if endorphins act as a drug to hide a bad emotion. Coming from a famous movie, Legally Blonde, “Exercise gives you endorphins--endorphins make people happy and happy people just don't shoot their husbands... they just don't.”
Q: Is depression something that people can just get over if they put their minds to it?
A: Overall, the answer is no. Depression is very rarely a choice. Depending on the severity it is something that should be treated with therapy, good diet and exercise and in very severe cases medication. Through therapy one may be able to feel empowered to get out of bed and perform daily tasks. But, it is not very often that it can be turned off, but the power of positive thinking can aid and accelerate the recovery process.
Q: If I am a negative person by nature, can I change?
A: YES! It may not happen overnight, but it most definitely can happen. It takes a lot of little steps to change your outlook on life. In the beginning, if a situation arises that you get upset about, ask yourself "will getting angry change this situation at all?" In most cases the answer will be no. In those situations, choose to not get upset. It's important to understand that your ability to think positively is not contingent on the circumstances your placed in, this life is full of unexpected twists, turns and bumps in the road, it is your choice where or not you are going to enjoy the ride. Start today and I promise you'll live a happier and healthier life full of tomorrows'.
