Positive thinking.

Everyday Positive Thinking

stress management and can even improve your health. Overcome negative self-talk by recognizing it and practicing with some examples provided.

Is your glass half-empty or half-full? How you answer this age-old question about positive thinking may reflect your outlook on life, your attitude toward yourself, and whether you're optimistic or pessimistic.

In fact, some studies show that these personality traits - optimism and pessimism - can affect how well you live and even how long you live.

With this in mind, take a refresher course in positive thinking. Learn how to put positive thinking into action. Positive thinking is a key part of an effective stress management strategy.
Understanding positive thinking and self-talk

Self-talk is the endless stream of thoughts that run through your head every day. These automatic thoughts can be positive or negative. Some of your self-talk comes from logic and reason. Other self-talk may arise from misconceptions that you create because of lack of information.

If the thoughts that run through your head are mostly negative, your outlook on life is likely pessimistic. If your thoughts are mostly positive, you're likely an optimist - someone who practices positive thinking.

Five Easy Steps to Simple Stress Relief

Everyone has to deal with stress at one time or another. And in some ways, that's not a bad thing. Stress keeps us at the top of our game. If we didn't care whether or not we succeeded at work, hit it off with a new friend, or learned a new task, we'd never be motivated to move outside our comfort zone, and oh how dull life would be!

While a little stress is a great motivator, however, too much stress can make us sick in both body and spirit. If you're experiencing too much stress, try these simple stress relief techniques.

Simple Stress Relief Tip #1: Exercise Regularly

If you've had a long hard day, a treadmill or an aerobics class is probably the last thing you want to face. Before you retreat to your couch, however, remember that exercise is a great way to blow off steam if you've had a tough day. Exercise also floods the brain with neurotransmitters that increase your sense of well being. And since many people stress over the size and shape of their bodies, following a regular exercise program can alleviate this source of tension.

Simple Stress Relief Tip #2: Don't Binge Drink

It's okay to have a glass of wine or a beer in the evenings-the newest research suggests that it might even be good for you-but don't drink to the point of intoxication. It may temporarily ease the stress you're feeling, but since alcohol is a depressant, you'll only feel worse in the long run. And if you thought your boss was hard to handle before, just imagine what he'll be like when you're nursing a hangover.

Simple Stress Relief Tip #3: Employ All of Your Senses

An old cliché reminds us to "take time to smell the flowers." Even if sniffing roses isn't your thing, however, the spirit of the advice is correct. Sometimes in this rush, rush, rush world we live so much in our heads that we all but forget about our bodies until some ache or pain reminds us. Take some time to enjoy a soothing massage, soak in a tub of hot water, savor a delicious meal, light a candle and enjoy the scent, or appreciate the feel of your dog's furry ears under your fingers. It's amazing just how relaxing a place your body can be when you choose to inhabit it fully.

Simple Stress Relief Tip #4: Make Time for the Things You Love

Are you a book lover who hasn't made a trip to the library or the local bookstore in ages? A pet owner who hardly ever has time for your pet? Whatever you love to do, whether it's watching television, playing computer games, writing in a journal, or taking a long walk on a beautiful trail, do your best to make time for it. Participating in activities you love is part of what makes life worth living.

Simple Stress Relief Tip #5: Keep a Brag Book

It's human nature to remember the negatives at the expensive of the positives. For instance, you can probably recite almost verbatim the last criticism your boss gave you. But do you remember the last compliment? When someone says something nice to you, even if it's admiring an outfit you hate or complimenting you on losing weight when you've actually gained ten pounds, take a moment to write it down. When you're feeling stressed, you can go back to your book and read all the wonderful things about yourself.

You Can Find Anxiety and Stress Relief

Life can often seem like a predatory beast out to get you for dinner. There are bills to be paid, family to take care of and calamity on the news - the worry and strain can seem overwhelming. It can also feel as if you are the only one in the world going through such fears; however, you aren't. You have a common problem that many people suffer in silence about. But there are many people and organizations that can help you find anxiety and stress relief.

Doctor, Doctor

It's no shame to have to go to the doctor and ask for help. If you can never relax and are so consumed by worries that it makes having a normal life hard or impossible, you need to see your doctor right away. There is a stigma about seeking anxiety and stress relief. You may think you're crazy or lazy; but you're not.

If you had a broken leg, you would go see the doctor for help, wouldn't you? Anxiety and stress relief should be sought after in the same way. If anybody teases you about being a "mental case", ignore them. They are just voicing their own fears about their own sanity. Your doctor will understand; he or she sees patients with you similar problems almost every day.

Perhaps the doctor will prescribe medicines for your anxiety and stress relief. That doesn't mean you're 'lacking' in some way for needing to take pills for a mental or emotional problem. Extreme anxiety and never ending stress can often be the signs of easily treatable physical problems.

Take Time Out for You

You deserve at least ten minutes of fun and luxury a day; after all look at all you have to put up with! If you can find ten minutes a day to treat yourself and be comfortable with it, you can find fifteen minutes, and so on. This doesn't mean you are selfish; you are just training how to feel good about yourself. By experiencing happy times, you can remember what it feels like. With time and practice, you can tap into that calm and secure feeling whenever you need it.

Some people take a walk during this "me-time". Some people read a non-fiction book to gain anxiety and stress relief. Some people take a bath; others write a poem or engage in light exercise or take yoga classes. See what works best for you; you want something that takes you out of the river of worries onto a little island of calm. Listening to music or mediating can bring this island about for many people. Anxiety and stress relief is within your reach - you only have to make a little effort to get it.