"I also think stress is related to control. When you're in charge of your life, you tend to not care about losing control of things that don't really matter like traffic jams.” Marilu Henner

This week we are on the road, literally, in Los Angeles preparing for the second annual Power Body Weekend.  It is going to be fabulous and the entire team is looking forward to helping women from all over North America fall in love with themselves physically and spiritually while giving them the tools to win with all aspects of their health.

Travel, especially with a baby, isn’t always easy.  Baby Em doesn’t particularly understand pacific time.  She is an East Coast girl and wakes up every morning at 4:30 a.m.  It doesn’t matter what time Chris and I go to bed, Baby Em is up bright eyed and ready to go before dawn.  Through our groggy state and hazy reality it can be challenging to stay centered.  On a trip where I am speaking and running a major event there is enough to think about let alone the nursing schedule.

To say that life as an entrepreneurial mom can be overwhelming would be an understatement.  Truthfully I do not even allow myself to go ‘there.’  Overwhelm can be a slippery slope of self deprecation and guilt so instead I choose to find ways to center myself; creating a little oasis in the fray of activity that is our life.

A recent article by the American Psychological Association found that Americans are 42% more stressed than one year ago.  The economy and personal financial security is at the top of the list of potential stressors and coping mechanisms include everything from overeating to alcohol to prescription drugs to narcotics.  As a society, somewhere along the line, we have forgotten that we are naturally equipped to handle stress.          We are evolved from the same DNA as the hominoid running from the sabre tooth tiger.  If being something’s lunch is not a stress then I do not know what is. 

Stress is our body’s natural response to self preservation.  It was never meant to be numbed down.  It was created so we would survive.  With so many things to be stressed about in today’s society it is no wonder that we have taken self preservation to a new extreme.

In my own life I will honestly admit that sometimes I do have a great deal of stress.  I have been giving conference calls when my child started screaming or doing a presentation when I started lactating.  There have been times of unusual stress in dealing with certain aspects of business that are not my favourite and many opportunities to forget how simple it is to cope with stress.  I have had worry, doubt, feeling of guilt, anger and regret.  Despite all of these things, we have managed to become successful and continue to move forward.  The only thing worse than overwhelm for me is complacency and that is an even slipperier slope.

Believe me, I have had my share of massages, facials, de-stress teas, yoga and a host of other methods to deal with stress and center myself however my go to fail safe method is the following technique.  It works for me and it is my hope that it can assist you.  As much as I would like to take your stress away and even though it can feel as though we are being chased by a sabre tooth tiger, I can promise you that life is always going to give us more opportunities to feel stress.  You are in the driver’s seat and can absolutely take control of how you handle what comes your way. 

Yes, you can invest in the spa or even the Ben and Jerry’s but these things are just a band-aid.  Facing up to what irks you is the only way to clear out the stress.  Asking yourself some key questions will certainly help you gain some perspective and often a little perspective is just the thing to get you back in action and centered.

Remember – we are all equipped.  We have been given the resources to handle life’s most challenging situations.  Whatever you are going through remember to focus on what you are going to.

Tips for Centering Yourself and Dealing With Stress

1.       Take 3 deep breaths.  Deep breathing is shown to lower stress hormones.

2.       Write down 10 items of gratitude.  Before I tackle any stressors I take a minute to remind myself about the blessings in my life.

3.       Take a 50,000 foot view of the situation.  I like to take myself out of the equation for a minute.  We can often find ourselves too emotionally linked to come up with an effective solution.

4.       Write down a list of options.  We always have options.  Not all are feasible however make a list.  There are always more alternatives than you think.

5.       Take 100% responsibility.  Being a victim is never going to serve you.  If you are in a mess then it is your responsibility to clean it up.  Do not play the ‘blame game.’  Own your situation and move forward.

6.       Remember that this is part of the process.  Often the things we want the most are on the other side of some of the most challenging lessons and situations.  Keep focussed on where you want to be and not where you are right now.

7.       Forgive yourself.  It is easy to be angry at yourself when you are not happy and stressed out.  Give yourself some grace.  Would you judge others as harshly as you are judging yourself right now?

Do You Have a Great Have It All Story?

Have you triumphed in some area of your life?  Perhaps you have liberated yourself from a destructive situation.  Maybe you have become healthier.  Have you done something that has helped you overcome a fear or challenge?  We want to hear from you.

Susan Sly’s highly acclaimed book, the Have It All Woman, has been read in several countries around the world including Cambodia, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada and the USA.  We have almost completely sold out.  Susan is currently updating the book to include more practical applications, stories of inspiration and tips for personal empowerment.  We would love your stories.  Please send your 300-400 word story to info@stepintoyourpower.com .  Please include a jpg photo, your phone number and best email address.  Your story may be in print.