I Have Seized the Light: On Stress

The only person you are destined to become
is the person you decide to be.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

(1) Stress only exists in your head. So does your opinion of stress. If you view stress negatively, like it's a cancer weighing you down, then that stress will kill you like cancer. But if you CHOOSE to look at stress in a positive way, you will overcome the obstacle with grace and ease. So relax! Take everything one step at a time.

(2) Get some sleep. Find a way to calm your brain down when it's on your favorite pillow. Your brain recovers from the day during sleep, and if you don't find a way to "zen out" before drifting off, you leave yourself open to stressful dreams. If you are having a problem getting to sleep, might I recommend thinking of black.

(3) Personally, organizing stuff helps me de-stress. I have drawers and drawers of art supplies, all of them a mess, but every time I sit in front of it and take care of my things, I feel much better. And it never takes as long as I expect it to. It doesn't have to be art crap. You can organize your pantry, your clothes, under your sink, in that junk drawer... the possibilities are endless. And the sense of accomplishment after? ...priceless.

(4) Express yourself. Find someone who will listen to you. Our first instinct with negative feelings is to bury them. This breeds toxic compounds of emotions, weighing even heavier on whatever is stressing you out. Tis better to release the negative. Find someone to explain your struggles to. Start a journal. Use a friend, or your partner. Pets work too! The day my cat realized we were home alone and I was talking to him and only him, he started beaming with the joy of attention. I can say anything I want to that cat, because he only responds with absolute love and acceptance. And sometimes it's good to work things out verbally, especially if someone is there to love you while you're doing it.