As I stay up typing into the late hours of the night writing my first blog entry, I can’t help but ask myself, “Why am I awake?”   Is it:

  1. Homework? 
  2. Physical pain? 
  3. Family issues?
  4. People issues?
  5. A mind that won’t stop worrying about things I have no way of solving at this hour?
  6. My bank account?
  7. All of the above? 

                If you are like me, you probably chose #7.  Allow me point something out in our lives that we can all change: STRESS LEVELS.

                As much as you may not like to hear it, stress is manifested in our own minds.  Now you may be saying, “Now Ayriel, there is no way I can’t feel this way in my life right now.  I am in debt, my family is driving me crazy, blah, blah, blah.”  My response?  YES, THERE IS!  Sure, there are outside influences that make us lean more towards one emotion than the other, but in the end, our level of stress and how we deal with it is up to us.

                What can you do to help change this aspect of your life?  My first plan of action is to hit stress right where it hurts.  Punch it!  Be brave…look into your mind and ask, “Am I acting in a rational way?  Can I actually change what I am feeling right now?  Is this my inner child reacting?”  Everyone has their own way of reacting to stress: drinking, eating, exercising, meditation, going shoe shopping (my method…hehe) talking, and on and on the list goes.  Yes, all of these can aid in making you feel better, but do they really solve the root of the problem?

                Do yourself a favor today, okay?  The next time you feel stressed out, take a step back, breathe, and focus.  You may realize that what you perceived to be “ stress beyond the point of functioning,” is actually just your mind reacting in ways that are normal for yourself.   Yes folks, these are reactions that you have learned in your lives, and you know what?  You can undo these learned responses.

                Let me offer some tips, okay?  Take em’ or use em’…

  1. Never feel that you are alone!  Everyone on this planet has emotional stress!
  2. You can ALWAYS change your attitude toward stress.  You can laugh it off instead of getting angry (Hint: Use this on the road during rush hour).
  3. Have you taken a deep breath lately?
  4. Exercise!  Even if it’s for 10 minutes.  Every little bit helps you physically and emotionally.
  5. Get enough sleep!  At least 7 hours.  No cheating, you workaholics and college students!  It will catch up to you eventually even if you feel invincible.

                On that note, it’s time for a good night’s rest.   Tomorrow is a new day.  Face it with a new attitude.

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