Fretting about finances? Losing sleep over a personal situation? While a certain amount of worry is healthy, too much can cause anxiety to spiral out of control. It's a new year -- resolve to stop worrying so much, and do these things instead. What is "Normal" Worrying? Everybody worries -- it is human nature. But there is a significant difference between "normal" worrying and worrying that gets in the way of everyday life. If you think your worrying has gotten out of control, ask yourself these questions: If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you are likely experiencing more stress than the average person. The good news is you can stake steps to reduce that stress and get your life back on track. Just Breathe Deep breathing helps to lower your heart rate and restore balance. If you're feeling overwhelmed, inhale through your mouth, hold for five seconds, and then exhale slowly through your nose for five counts. Repeat for two to three minutes and then return to your work with a fresh outlook. Treat Your Body Right Poor eating habits and a lack of exercise and sleep will stress your body. Eat a low-sugar, high-protein diet to maintain your energy levels throughout the day. Make time to exercise for at least 20 minutes a day (a brisk walk will do) and focus on getting enough sleep each night. Close Your Email Inbox If you are constantly bombarded by email messages throughout the day, it can be impossible to focus. Check your email first thing in the morning, respond to urgent requests, and then close your inbox. Repeat the process 30 minutes before you go to lunch. Open your inbox again late in the afternoon. This process may terrify you at first, but you'll quickly learn that most emails don't require an immediate response. And if someone sends you an email that is, in fact, truly urgent, they will follow up with a phone call. Learn To Say "No" If your plate is full, don't add anything else to it. If your boss asks you to take on a new project, outline what you've already got going and then suggest another co-worker take it on. If you don't have time to bake brownies for the PTA or coach Little League, just be honest. Most people are afraid to say "no" because they want to be liked, but if you take on so many projects that your follow-through suffers, you'll do more damage than if you simply say, "Thank you for thinking of me, but I don't have the time." Make Time for Yourself It is important to carve out time to do things that you truly enjoy. Whether it's a hobby, a learning opportunity, reading, arts and crafts or attending church, time spent on a passion will help you to destress and maintain a more positive outlook on life. When you schedule time for yourself, make it non-negotiable. Turn off your cell phone and tablet. Send the kids to grandma's if necessary. Do what you have to do in order to create space to feed your spirit and take care of yourself. When Destressing Isn't Enough If you spend time working on destressing but you just can't shake your anxiety and worry, it's probably time to make a change in your life. If your job is the source of your stress, start putting feelers out for new opportunities. A great way to conduct a confidential search for those opportunities is to work with a professional recruiter. A recruiter can help you identify new opportunities to grow your career and your paycheck while maintaining the work-life balance you need to manage stress, and they do it without alerting your current employer that you're on the hunt. Stress is a fact of life, but when worry and anxiety take over your daily life, it's time to make a change. Make time to assess your situation, and then begin to focus on destressing your life and making the necessary changes to help you get back to "normal."Stop Stressing!
