Run for it

If you ever find yourself reading a book or listening to someone tell you to eliminate all the stress in your life, run for it.

Get out of there, because it's not possible. I'm sure those who say to get rid of all stress mean well, it's just that they don't seem to understand that stress is a normal part of life, and it's not going anywhere. Stress can even be a sign that you are still alive.

Manage it

The trick is to learn how to manage your stress, not to control or eliminate it. And here's the payoff: You become stronger and better at it.

After all, a diamond is nothing more than a lump of coal that handled stress very well.

Know when to say when

We sure do some silly things as humans, don't we? Silly things such as staying up too late and not getting enough sleep, not resting and relaxing, working too hard, not exercising or eating right, etc.

Then to be even more silly, we are arrogant enough to believe that we can defy the laws of nature and, just by virtue of our will power, not have to suffer any of the stress and consequences of not taking care of ourselves.

Our bodies were designed for sleep, rest and exercise. No matter who we are, we are governed by these realities. So practice saying when: when you have had enough, and especially when you have had too much.

Remember that the guy who continually burns the candle at both ends is nowhere near as bright as he thinks he is.

Become a reframer

Have you ever had to choose a frame for a picture? Choose the right one, and the picture is even more beautiful. Choose the wrong one, and it can detract from the picture or even make it look bad.

It's the same with how we "frame" or view the things that cause stress in our lives. Refraining means to put a different frame on a situation in order to view it differently.

The best example I can give you is how I've learned to reframe the situation when I've

got a full, scheduled day and just too many calls to return. Instead of complaining and letting it get to me, I reframe it by reminding myself that I have worked long and hard to have this many people who want to talk with the likes of me.

Pizza your stress

How do you eat pizza?v

First you cut it into slices, and then you eat one slice at a time, one bite at a time.

Break your stressful situations down into manageable chunks. If one day at a time is too big a chunk, then break your day down to one hour at a time.

Make it small enough to be manageable.

Shake it off and step up

One day a farmer found that one of his mules had fallen into a well. Deciding that neither the well nor the mule was worth saving, he began to fill in the well and bury the mule.

As each shovel full of dirt hit the mule's back, the mule began to shake it off and step up on top of the growing mound of dirt.

Shake it off and step up, shake it off and step up, shake it off and step up, over and over again. Pretty soon, the mule was at the top of the well and got the heck out of there!

Shake it off and step up.

If a mule can do it, then so can we!

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