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-Do not wish to be anything but what you are and try to be that perfectly. –St. Francis De Sales

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Encouraging Words

February 2003

Welcome to Encouraging Words monthly newsletter. This FREE newsletter is designed to encourage you in creating a life so joyful and authentic, you radiate. Please pass it along to friends you would like to inspire

If I could wish for my life to be perfect it would be tempting, but I would have to decline, for life would no longer teach me anything. –Allyson Jones

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It’s been one month into the new year. How are you implementing your theme of the year? Has your focus helped?

STRESS

Do you feel cranky? Constantly annoyed? Do you come down with colds all the time? Often have headaches? These can all be signs that stress has taken over your life and your health. Stress is a part of life, but we have to daily take our life back from stress.

In his book Stress Management , Gerard Hargreaves writes that you need to identify your biggest stressors at work, in your home life and your self. Decide which you have control over and which you can’t control. Now figure out coping strategies. Some of his suggestions are:

¨       Reorganizing your life- Clean your desk, create an evening routine to get ready the night before

¨       Avoiding the things that are stressing you

¨       Adding resources – equipment, materials, people

¨       Learn time management – plan each day

¨       Be more assertive – be respectful, but express your views & needs and learn to say no

¨       Communicate with people – listen, make eye contact, be clear

¨       Create a positive mind-set – positive self-talk, watch for negative thoughts

¨       Get rid of unrealistic beliefs about life and your stressors – check your expectations

¨       Avoid “musts” and “shoulds” in your thinking and speech

¨       Eat a healthy diet – eat from all food groups, eat slowly, eat regularly, choose fresh foods

¨       Exercise regularly

¨       Enjoy hobbies or interests, have fun

¨       Practice relaxation - walking, massage, deep breathing, breaks, yoga

¨       Get enough sleep – have a relaxing bedtime routine, go to bed at the same time every night

Take Action:

List your top three stressors

1.  
2.  
3.  

How much control do you have over each of them?

1.

2.

3.

Create an action plan for each stressor. How can you make it easier on yourself? How can you cope better? What different attitudes can you take? What do you need to learn? Who do you need to talk with? Would a different place or positioning help? Can you change your schedule around?

1.

2.

3.

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Self-Care Tips for February:

·         Get one perfect piece of chocolate

·         Look at life through rose colored glasses

·         Decide not to obsess about your looks

·         Think about what you would love to get for Valentine’s Day- then get it

Today
     one which I have never lived before
           and one which I will never get to live again.
Thank you, Lord, for this incredible gift. The surprise of unwrapping it holds wonder and the privilege of excitement.

By creation. . . I am.
And that is enough.
- Tim Hansel

Relationship Ideas for February:

·         Make fudge for a loved one

·         Lift up a friend who is having trouble with a note or a call

·         Get silly and laugh with your kids

·         Buy your mom a warm, beautiful scarf

To meet everything and everyone through stillness instead of mental noise is the greatest gift you can offer the universe
-- Eckhart Tolle in The Power Of Now

I encourage you this month to relax, to realize you are enough and to show love to lots of people this month.

Warmly,

Beth Dargis

Written by Life Coach, Beth Dargis
Dargis@chartermi.net
http://pws.chartermi.net/~dargis/
Past issues are available at the newsletter section of the website.
Copyright (c) 2002 Beth Dargis, Zeeland, Michigan.  All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002 Beth Dargis | Zeeland, MI | All rights reserved.

 

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