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Archive for Stop Stressing

Breath of Fresh Air

Posted by Anjana Lala on
 February 6, 2018
Breath of fresh air

When last did you get a breath of fresh air into your life? Body? Mind?

I had the privilege of attending a Breathwork Practitioner Course last weekend. I attended the course out of curiosity and to find new breathing methods to help my Trauma/Tension Release Clients. I use many breathing techniques to help my trauma clients relax deeply and to release the repressed trauma from their bodies. My simple curiosity turned into something profound and magical.

Art of Breathing

The breathing techniques were simple in theory but when diving deep into the breathing it revealed many things about my habits and the way my body responds to my thoughts and feelings. It supports me with every thought and feeling. I yawn when I need more oxygen in my body. My breathing becomes laboured during exercising. When I am stressed my breathing becomes short and quick. I sigh when my body is highly stressed, or I am frustrated.  I know you thinking yawning and sighing is being rude but its actually the body’s way to balancing itself. This level of awareness for me was so profound. I got so excited after discovering the magic of breath.

I know you wondering what is the big deal about breathing. It is a big deal. You have a natural gift that you can use to heal, energise and de-stress. Available and accessible to you anytime anywhere. Do you realise how powerful this is?

Let’s explore the Benefits of breathing deeply:

  1. Frees the Breath
  2. Relaxes the Body
  3. Clears the Mind
  4. Calms the Nerves
  5. Boosts Energy levels
  6. Improves Stamina
  7. Sharper Thinking
  8. Elevates Mood
  9. Increases Feel Good Factor
  10. Decreases Stress and Worry
  11. Heightens Alertness and Focus
  12. Improves Posture and Performance
  13. Detoxes the Body from Toxins
  14. Reduces Physical Pain
  15. Improves Response to Stress and Emotions during Challenging times

Breathing correctly means supplying your body with adequate oxygen and replenishing it with fresh air.

This way you navigate life with more vigour, vitality and verve.

Just Breath – (Happy Sigh)

 

April is Stress Awareness Month

Posted by Anjana Lala on
 April 3, 2016
stress awareness

April is Stress Awareness Month – A month of taking Action to manage your stress

This is a great opportunity to assess the origins of stress, anxiety or tension in your life, learn about effective coping skills and work on ways to reduce the stress, anxiety or tension you experience on a daily basis.

Stress is your response to the world around you – like a situation or an event. It is also a response to a thought or feeling. While stress can be related to good or bad events, our body’s response can be the same. Like a race car at a starting line, the body gears-up to meet the challenge of the stressful situation.

Recognize that you have the power to make decisions, to more effectively manage your stress levels

Firstly you need to Recognize your personal Stress!

We can experience stress on 4 levels:

Physical Mental  Emotional  Social  
Muscle tension

Headaches

Restless sleeps

Stomach and digestive problems

Skin problems

Back Pain

Stiff Jaws

Twitching in eyes

Emotional eating

Developing allergies

Low Energy

 

Poor concentration

Racing thoughts

Forgetfulness

Overthinking negatively

Anxious mind

Poor Decisions

Irritability

Anxiety

Mood swings

Cynicism

Lack of fulfilment

Loneliness

Low self-worth

 Intolerance for others

Lashing out

Unable to interact with others

We’ve all experienced some of these signs in our lives brought on by varying degrees of stress. But if you have been experiencing these signs over a prolonged time, it’s an indicator that you may  have an unhealthy level of stress and you should take steps to eliminate the stressors.

Getting in touch with your stress:

Daily for the next 2 weeks, journal what stressed you out. What about the situation stressed you out? What thoughts you were having during the stressful situation?

Just list all that comes up without judgement or analysis. Do you see a pattern? Do you see a common situation that is causing you stress? Thoughts or beliefs that are stressing you out?

This is a great way to increase our stress awareness.

High5 to a NEW YOU YEAR 2016

Posted by Anjana Lala on
 January 4, 2016
High5 to new you year 2016

 

‘Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities’ Gloria Steinem

High5 to a NEW YOU YEAR 2016

I love the New Year or new beginnings. I get all excited to about the possibilities in life. A time for renewed hope and dreams. It is time for celebrations. Can you feel the excitement? I am absolutely invigorated. I love the lightness that invoke a sense of brightness

I am sure you have received tons of email about New Year 2016: change your life, transform your life, make it the best year, 5 steps to maintain New Year resolutions, 3 steps to create a new life in 2016 and many more telling you how to awesome 2016 can be. They all mean well and it’s great to have coaches, bloggers, and mentors to guide and encourage you. These emails can excite or sometimes it can create a feeling of overwhelming proportion when the mountain ahead of us appears too large to summit.

Let’s take a step back. Clear our minds of:

  • What should be and how it should.
  • All the stories you have been telling yourself since it’s the New Year.
  • Are you feeling the pressure when people ask what are the plans for 2016

Step 1 – Set your intention

Reflect back on 2015. What lessons have you learnt? Are there some things that will continue in the New Year? Do you still want the same things? What do you want in life? It all starts with what you want in life. Then you have the choice in creating what you want in life. What is your deepest desires? What does your heart yearn for? It starts from the heart. Think about what it is you want. Think & Feel your intensions. Set your intention. It’s a great starting point.

Step 2 – List your dreams

Be bold and big. Write down every dream you can think of. From a dream date with your favourite movie star to owning a Ferrari. Submitting Mount Everest or going to Cordon Blue School in Paris. Travelling to Amazon jungle to volunteering for WHO. Stop analysing just write it all down. There is no wrong or right dream. If you have thoughts this is not me or this is not for me. Just ignore them for now. Select one to three dreams from the list. The ones where the music is clear and booming.

Step 3 – The BIG WHY

Now read the dreams aloud. Sensing and feeling when you read each dream out loud. Write how this dream would transform your life. For example owning your own business can give you financial security or financial freedom. It can empower you buy your dream home. It can make you feel independent, talented, successful, have your own personal identity. Think if your dream came true, how you would feel. What would change in your life as a result of your aspirations coming alive? This is Your BIG WHY! Why do you want this dream to come alive? The BIG WHY is the key ingredient to keep you motivated and committed to the dream when you feel like giving up.

Step 4 – See Your New Life

Sit quietly and reflect as if the dream has already come alive. Live in the happiness, the success and whatever feeling the dream invokes. Picture where your friends, where you are, how does the environment and atmosphere feel. Imagine having the correct people and things to make your wish to come true. How does it look, feel, taste, and smell? Sense the dream as if it’s already part of your life. Feel the BIG Why. Listen to your body for messages for how to achieve the dream. Hear the music inside you. Release struggle and resistance. Let there be happiness, ease and flow in your visualisation.

Step 5 – Take the first step

All things are achieved one action at a time. Be BIG & Bold take the first step.

Each day  each step adds up, and just like putting one foot, one step ahead of the other on your path, soon you will be on the top of the mountain, looking down at your accomplishment with self-satisfaction and self-respect.

I’m here today to help you plant the flag in the top of your mountain, by encouraging you to take the first step. Why not you!? You were born for greatness. You were born to impact this world. Dare to leave your mark. You have a dream inside of you that only you can achieve.

So, what will your first step be today?

 “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop” Confucius

With all the above comes secret ingredients to makes dreams come true:

CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM.

Your new intentions can lose steam within a few weeks or they magnetically attract the people and resources to bring them into reality. All of us, at least some of the time, fall into the trap of criticising ourselves, doubting our abilities and underestimating our value we can bring to the world.

Join our 21 Day Challenge: Build Your Self-Esteem and Boost Your Confidence

Sign Up NOW and Participate for FREE

click here

STARTING 11TH January 2016

We can all benefit from:

Knowing what to do when doubting Thomas visits.

Strengthen and maintain a healthy self-esteem.

How to build & boost our confidence

Join our 21 Day Challenge: Build Your Self-Esteem and Boost Your Confidence

Experience Unsinkable Self-Esteem and “Boat-loads” of Confidence.

Come on! Let’s do this! Powerful Woman! Let’s learn to love and value yourself, treat yourself with compassion and steer yourself to greatness.

YOU WORTH IT!

YOU DEFINITELY DESERVE IT 

Sign up NOW and get started to Build Your Self-Esteem and Boost Your Confidence

10 Ways to Beat the Holiday Blues

Posted by Anjana Lala on
 December 14, 2015
10 ways to beat the holidays blues

Beat the Holiday Blues!

As the holiday season rolls in, we are overwhelmed by the impression we’re all supposed to be leaping into a constant stream of parties, big happy family dinners, and heaps of presents. Well, it’s been my experience that some holidays are busy and exciting, but some they’re not. Some years they’re bittersweet and some years they’re incredibly difficult. Whether it’s financial strain, family issues, illness, loss, loneliness or something else altogether, the season can be rough and tough! SIGH THE HOLIDAY BLUES

If the upcoming holiday season is looking to be tricky to navigate, here are a few alternatives to feeling blue. They’re definitely more fun than sighing into your coffee mug or packet of snack every time a Christmas commercial comes on TV. Oh yeah, I’ve been there too.

Let’s explore some interesting options to beat the holiday blues :

  1. Have a Get Together

Some years it’s just not possible to be with family during the holidays and it doesn’t mean you have to be alone. Instead of spending the day moping in your home, have an impromptu group dinner, which can turn into a great night of conversations and playing board games. So, if you think you’re alone because you can’t go home, think again. See what co-workers, neighbours, or friends are up to, and you may be surprised. There could be a communal holiday dinner waiting to happen.

  1. Be Creative Make something.

During the holidays all commercials convince us that holiday happiness = buy me buy me please buy me. We all know that’s not true, but it can still be hard to show up to holiday functions empty handed. Sometimes money is short, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do/make something special. It’s a great time to become creative. I have a friend who makes stunningly yummy chocolates, wraps them up, and hands them out as gifts. It’s like getting a big box of specialised gourmet chocolates, but instead of spending a lot of money, she uses her time and skill. Don’t be afraid about tapping into your talents to make gifts. Maybe you’re a baker: offer to bake cakes. Maybe you’re a gifted artist or a photographer. Paint something, sew something, frame something, bake something, craft something, whatever you’re good at, make it and share it.

  1. Get in touch with your home.

If you’re have no reason to celebrate the holidays, use your creative energy and extra time off to fix up your place. That’s what I did during one holiday season. I was going through some heartbreak (always fun around the holidays), working most of the holidays, my dad was recovering from major surgery and there was nothing particularly eventful to mark the days. Tired of sulking around, I decided to repaint my room. I picked up a 5 litre of paint at a local store, painted late into the night while listening to holiday music and drinking happy juice. It turned out to be a deep evening of introspection and I woke up the next morning (with stiff used muscles) in a freshly painted room. To my surprise, it felt like a small victory for me (moving on up).

  1. Get excited about the New Year: Dream BIG!

Even if nothing is wrong, some holidays are just kind of lifeless and there isn’t much going on. Instead of feeling blue get excited about things to do and places to go in the coming New Year. Connect with forgotten dreams. Dream new dreams. Envision all the possibilities. Draft plans. Having a trip, project or goal on the horizon can make those dull New Year’s Eves less of a bummer.

  1. Gift of Giving

This holidays do something different. Volunteer for a charity over the holidays. Ask friends to join you. For so many, the holidays are incredibly difficult because their basic needs are not met, and this is where we can help. Plenty organizations or companies are looking for volunteers to help with clothes, food, toy drives or meal-related events around the holidays. Google local opportunities to volunteer your time.

  1. Be a chum.

It’s easy to fall into a bad mood when times are tough, but chances are there’s probably someone you know who is having an even rougher time. Take a look around and see who could use a hand. Maybe a friend just lost a job or is going through a break-up: take them out to dinner or for a drink. Volunteer to babysit for someone you know desperately needs a night out. Put some extra cash in the coffee shop tip jar. Wink at a handsome old man. Compliment someone. Smile at a crabby store cashier, Greet the cleaning crew at the office, you get the gist. Little gestures can make a big impact on another person’s day, and you can boost your own mood just by being thoughtful. It’s a phenomenon called helper’s high, and it refers to your body’s natural release of happy hormones.

  1. Take a hike, Mike

I mean that in the nicest way possible, as in, truly, take a hike! Really, is there anything better than a long walk to clear your head? For me, that means wandering through the city listening to my favourite music with no destination in mind. For you that could mean hiking a favourite trail while listening to the rhythm of nature, or a solitary walk along the beach or silently through the botanical gardens. For some just browsing quietly through their favourite department store can be soothing.

  1. Travel – Local is Lekker.

Solo leisure travel during the holidays. I love this idea! If you have some extra money but no real plans, why not use the time off to go somewhere new somewhere exotic? A Spontaneous spot! Adventure is always a grand idea, and isn’t there something completely charming about Safari Lodges during the holidays? It’s like extreme coziness with a twist.

  1. Re-connect with a phone call or over coffee.

It is holiday season, so why not use this time to truly reconnect with a forgotten friend? We may be “friends” with everyone we’ve ever known online, but there is no real connection. It’s cold and impersonal. It’s safe and void of real meaningful conversations. It definitely doesn’t compare with hearing someone’s voice or catching up as you awkwardly eat complicated Indian meal with your hands at Raj Indian restaurant.

  1. Unplug

Unplug from text messages, social media and email. It is a major presence in our lives and it’s primarily an incredible tool for communicating and connecting. During the holidays social media can create additional anxiety and stress. Comparing with the Jones can a very lively activity during the holiday season. Sometimes the last thing we need to be thinking about is what fancy restaurants our friends are at or how fortunate someone is because they’re having the perfect party. Sometimes it’s helpful to not know what everyone else is up to. Just be present and enjoy your occasion or function.

It is the season to be jovial. You can make it so despite any hardship you may currently be facing. And, hey, if all else fails, there’s always eggnog spiked with rum, brandy, or bourbon! 🙂

Jokes aside, how do you beat the holiday blues?

Please share in the comments section

 

5 Things To Do When You Feel Overwhelmed

Posted by Anjana Lala on
 September 29, 2015
Art of Happiness Institute

I hear from readers weekly who thank me for what I write. They are overwhelmed, they are depressed, they are stressed, they are frustrated, they are anxious. They need a word of encouragement. They need to know they are not alone. There is hope and support in these difficult times. There is someone out there who understands or perhaps even can relate to your feelings and what you going through.

Many of us feel overwhelmed at times. Sometimes it may be a temporary situation, a crazy busy weekend, job deadlines. Or it may be that you are caring for a chronically ill family member. Maybe you are struggling with an illness. Maybe your husband/partner left you and you feel lonely and overwhelmed. It can be many things, each unique. I wish that the suggestions can give you a little glimpse of hope. Give you a little direction a starting point.

5 Things to do when you feel overwhelmed

  1. Accept that you can’t do it all.  Admit that you put so much pressure on yourself to TRY to do it all, but you can’t. its just not possible. Time wise and humanly. Look to your Higher Self or Source, and admit that you are but human, and you can’t do everything. I think that some of my most miserable times are when I am trying to do everything in my own strength instead of looking to the Universe for help, wisdom, and strength.
  2. Accept that some things are just not going to get done. I know this one can be a very difficult one for the perfectionists, fusspots. It won’t be the end of the world, I promise. Yes it true. Even things that feel are very important may not get done, and you will find that you can survive, intact, by things not getting done.
  3. Set up a Triage center for your life. By applying the principals of triage to your own life, you can figure out which things can be ignored without danger, and those things that must be addressed immediately. Life or death? Most stuff fall in-between the grey area. It’s  prioritising what is important and what is not.  In the same way, consider each and every area of your life. Examine each activity and responsibility and determine its overall importance to your life and your sanity at this point. Decide what level of importance each thing is.
  4. Learn to practice intentional neglect. In certain seasons of our lives, especially in times of being overwhelmed, it is completely alright to NOT do certain things. Or do things less often than you might normally like to.  Is it really going to matter if you change your sheets every week, or can you go 2 weeks? Convenience foods may be your only sanity right now, it is okay to use them. You may need to sweep your floors every second or third day. Trust me You and your family will survive.
  5. Ask for help. Admit to those around you that you need help. I know your pride and independence can get effected to ask for assistance. Muster up the courage and ask for help. You will NOT be regarded as weak. In fact it takes alot of inner strength to ask for help. If you have friends or family offering you their help, tell them yes and give them something they can do to help. Your pride will still remain intact. I Promise!

I really hope you found some tips and direction to get you started from the 5 things to do when you feel overwhelmed.

 

 

 

 

Stop Stressing, Simplify Your Life

Posted by Anjana Lala on
 July 20, 2015

“Any darn fool can make something complex; it takes a genius to make something simple.” – Albert Einstein

I know you reading this article because the title caught your interest or you genuinely want to find a way to stop stressing, simplify your life. Are things feeling off balance?

I am on this journey of simplifying my life. I have plenty of things. In fact lots of things. I am not a hoarder just have too many things. The old go out the new come in. It’s been like this for many many years. Reading up on how to simplify life I found a common thread in all the info. Discipline! Yup you reading correctly. Discipline!

That did not surprised me. At that moment I heard my mum’s voice in my head. (I told you). I am not a disciplined person. My mood dictates most of my action or non-action. I am allergic to routine. I find it totally boring. Although feeling this way intuitively I knew things were off balance in my life. Needed to put life into balance. This is how I did it
I came up with a game plan of tackling things daily and some weekly. This took a while to get into place. Once I got the flow of a routine. I felt so powerful and in control. I can tweak and control my routine to make place for those unexpected activities.

It may sound strange that we must simplify so that we can allow for flexibility.  Yes, it’s actually true (It’s from personal experience). The daily routines can become overwhelming due to lack of preparation, and we aren’t able to appreciate the many delightful gifts of pleasurable experiences that come our way unexpectedly throughout the week.

Now let’s start with weekly routine:

1) Plan your meals to save time during the week. Also you have the perfect opportunity to plan wholesome healthy meals. Tasty delicious ones too.
2) Do a stock-take. Keep a notebook nearby to list all that is needed. This way you are not stressed to remember what is out of stock.
3) Shop for food stuff and essentials. Do this on a regular basis. This way you save money and time. You are less tempted to overbuy.
4) Laundry. Do the laundry at least 3 times a week if you a big family. If you single or just two people in the house, once a week is good enough.  Start the laundry machine at night when you go to sleep. Hang the washing on the line in the morning. It will be dry when you come home from work. Plan to do the ironing of the cloths, linen, etc. 1-2 times a week. Press the cloths, linen, etc. while watching TV.
5) Exercise. Plan your exercise for the week. Exercise 3 times a week for 1 hour each. Exercise reduces stress, increases the happy feeling, and keeps you healthy and fit. Exercise can be fun. Choose Zumba, Kickboxing class, Yoga, Spinning, walking, etc. There is exercise suitable for all types of people. So there is no excuse not to include exercise in your life.
6) Clean your house. Clean your house 2-3 times a week. After a hard day at work it’s very comforting and refreshing to come to a tidy neat home. I have a date with my house every Saturday. It’s a special time. Got my favourite music on. I dance while I sweep, vacuum and mop my house.
7) Keep your yard & garden clean. If you have a yard and garden. Clean the yard once a week or hire someone to tend to your garden to remove weeds and prune & trim your flowers and bushes. Rake the leaves and sweep the yard of the all the dust and leaves as well. If this is done regularly it will not pile up. It can become an exhaustive task if done occasionally or if you having a function at your place. I have garden service to clean my yard on a weekly basis.
8) Time to plan for the week. Make time to plan for the week. I plan every Sunday evening. Its takes about 1 hour. In the starting it took a bit longer. Once I got it perfected to my needs it does not take that long. I feel empowered by planning for the week ahead. I feel on top of my game. This way I am more productive, know how much energy I need for the week.

Now let’s get to the daily routine:

1) Wake up and sleep at the similar time. This way you will have plenty of energy during the day. Your skin will glow, maintain a good weight and have a clear sharp mind. You will be prepared for unforeseen events during the day. You will be able to better cope these situations.
2) Make your bed when you wake up. Make it a habit to make your bed once you step out of the bed. It’s so exciting and comforting to come to a clean inviting bed after an exhausting day work. If you tired, can you imagine just flopping onto your clean comfy bed?
3) Eat Breakfast. Eating a healthy breakfast helps maintain your energy levels throughout the day. It helps to keep one’s blood sugar levels balanced. Keep the breakfast simple and nutritional.
4) Plan your cloths the night before. Check the weather report and if you have any important meetings or social events to attend. Prepare your cloths the night before. Press them if needed. This way you do not spend time in the morning on what to wear. Feeling overwhelmed and stressed instead enjoying getting dressed in the morning.
5) Grooming & beauty routine. Keep the grooming and beauty regime simple for week. Enhance it for special occasions. Keep it simple but making you feel beautiful. Consult a makeup artist on how to apply your makeup for daily and special occasions. The consultant can assist with which colours will suit you.
6) Wash dishes after dinner. Wash dishes at night after dinner. Clean the basin and kitchen counters. Store the leftovers in containers. You leave no room for germs or insects to breed. Spick-and-Span! When you wake up it’s so pleasant to come into a spotless kitchen. If you have a dirty kitchen you can have this sinking feeling of still having to wash the dishes.
7) Wipe your bathroom. We underestimate the need to keep the bathroom clean on a daily basis. Whether you the only person using the bathroom or you sharing it, it’s imperative to keep it hygienic and sanitary. Germs and bacteria will be reduced considerably. Store your toothbrush and makeup in cabinet or drawers. Clean your hairbrush everytime you use it. It’s just so pleasant to have a clean bathroom.
8) Create a safe easy accessible place for post/papers. Place mail, important papers, statements, etc. in a safe easy accessible draw/file/unit.  This way you can manage payments, investments and miscellaneous administration easily efficiently. You are more productive, have more time, resources and space for new activities in your life.
9) Tidy up every night before going to bed.  Pickup shoes, glasses, jackets, newspaper, magazines, keys, bags, phones and etc. put them where they belong. In the morning you save time by knowing the keys, shoes, phone, bag, and wallet are.
10) Charge your electronic devices. Charge your electronic devices every night. You will be prepared for the next day.
11) Pack lunch and health snacks at night. Eating healthy is extremely important. Pack your lunch and healthy snacks for work. It’s also cost effective. Double benefit.

These are some of the ideas I have implemented in my life. To some the routine may seem rigid but once you get the hang of a routine, it’s just becomes second nature. You will have more space and time for new experiences, spontaneity, fun and joy.

Go ahead stop stressing, simplify your life!

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