We are all aware of the stressful times we are surrounded with, and these situations can easily lead us to feeling overwhelmed. Learning to combat stress is a helpful skill we can learn so as to regain a maximized quality of life. There is a very effective way of doing this, through cognitive redirection, and focusing on the positive aspects of our lives instead of the negative ones. By taking the time to acknowledge good fortune in our lives, and not allowing setbacks or problems to become dominating factor in our outlook allows us to deal with stress on a more successful level.
It's easier to be ungrateful about the bad cards we are dealt than to be grateful for what we do have and achieve. Sometimes it takes disaster to make us grateful for the things that we take for granted: a roof overhead, a warm bed and hot shower. Identifying the things we should be grateful for is an exercise in positive thinking that can actually change the way that we feel and balance out the effects of stress.
The factors causing stress are many, but it is defined as a state where an individual is not in equilibrium with their individual surroundings. It is known to us now that the distinction between both body and mind is of limited usefulness. Negative thoughts are able to have an affect on the body, just as trauma can affect the mind. Experiences of stress prompting negative emotions may have a direct affect when it comes to body chemistry. In response to any threat or stress, our bodies produce hormones and other chemicals, such as adrenalin and cortisol.
Fortunately this works both ways. A calming environment along with some positive thoughts can fight the mental and physical effects of stress. Allow yourself a bit of time every day simply to concentrate on the positive - even if it is as little as a few minutes - you will be able to remove yourself from the causes and effects of stress.
Learning to recognize nuggets of good fortune can radically change our perspective. Problems can overshadow the things that are going well and distort perception. For example, we panic about uncompleted tasks instead of rewarding ourselves for what we have achieved. Especially over a prolonged period of stress, we can develop patterns of jumping to negative conclusions. Focusing on things that make us happy is a powerful technique for disrupting that pattern of thinking and reducing stress. It can even boost the immune system.
It may initially be difficult to identify those particular things you have to be grateful for, especially if you are already stressed, tense and can't see the forest for the trees. Take time to practice, and start with easy things such as a sunny day, or a new rose on your bushes. You will more than likely rely on hindsight to start, but with time and a little effort you will notice it becoming easier.
While training yourself to recognize the many reasons you have to be grateful, the amount of time you spend taking things for granted will lessen dramatically. Seeing that flower blooming will trigger the recognition for seeing the reasons for celebration. As this appreciation integrates into your daily routine and functionality you can, and will discover how this process will reinforce positive thinking as well as your capacity to deal with stress. - 16004
It's easier to be ungrateful about the bad cards we are dealt than to be grateful for what we do have and achieve. Sometimes it takes disaster to make us grateful for the things that we take for granted: a roof overhead, a warm bed and hot shower. Identifying the things we should be grateful for is an exercise in positive thinking that can actually change the way that we feel and balance out the effects of stress.
The factors causing stress are many, but it is defined as a state where an individual is not in equilibrium with their individual surroundings. It is known to us now that the distinction between both body and mind is of limited usefulness. Negative thoughts are able to have an affect on the body, just as trauma can affect the mind. Experiences of stress prompting negative emotions may have a direct affect when it comes to body chemistry. In response to any threat or stress, our bodies produce hormones and other chemicals, such as adrenalin and cortisol.
Fortunately this works both ways. A calming environment along with some positive thoughts can fight the mental and physical effects of stress. Allow yourself a bit of time every day simply to concentrate on the positive - even if it is as little as a few minutes - you will be able to remove yourself from the causes and effects of stress.
Learning to recognize nuggets of good fortune can radically change our perspective. Problems can overshadow the things that are going well and distort perception. For example, we panic about uncompleted tasks instead of rewarding ourselves for what we have achieved. Especially over a prolonged period of stress, we can develop patterns of jumping to negative conclusions. Focusing on things that make us happy is a powerful technique for disrupting that pattern of thinking and reducing stress. It can even boost the immune system.
It may initially be difficult to identify those particular things you have to be grateful for, especially if you are already stressed, tense and can't see the forest for the trees. Take time to practice, and start with easy things such as a sunny day, or a new rose on your bushes. You will more than likely rely on hindsight to start, but with time and a little effort you will notice it becoming easier.
While training yourself to recognize the many reasons you have to be grateful, the amount of time you spend taking things for granted will lessen dramatically. Seeing that flower blooming will trigger the recognition for seeing the reasons for celebration. As this appreciation integrates into your daily routine and functionality you can, and will discover how this process will reinforce positive thinking as well as your capacity to deal with stress. - 16004
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Using gratitude to reduce stress can become a regular part of your day. Visit the Gratitude Circle Blog for tips for positive thinking and making gratitude an important part of your life. While you're there, claim your free subscription to the Gratitude Circle Newsletter, full of inspiring stories, articles and tips for maintaining a happier, more fulfilling life.
