How to meditate

A Message from Noelyne....

In times of stress meditation really comes into it's own.  Unless you are in the habit of meditating then it probably will not spring to your mind as something that you need to do to help you through stressful times.  You are too busy rushing around trying to get everything done.  Taking 10 minutes out every morning and again before you go to sleep will help you to relax and see things much more clearly.  You will be able to make decisions more easily and prioritise the tasks so that urgent important things get done not urgent things that can wait.

Here is a short video as an introduction to meditation.  I cover the art of meditating in more detail in my membership site.



Enjoy,

Noelyne Jones

P.S. Request a copy of my Free Special Report here

A sense of normality returns

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A Message from Noelyne...

We're getting there slowly but surely and there's a sense of normality, whatever that is, starting to return.  It's an interesting thought as to what normality means, isn't it? After a period of intense and unexpected challenges it's wonderful to just slow down and feel as though you are back in control.  There's still lots happening however, it's more manageable, a sense of getting back into a routine.

There are times when normal and routine can be quite boring and you crave excitement however, whne you have been under a lot of unexpected stress then it's actually a very good thing to get back to calm and control.  Light at the end of the tunnel.  Those loose ends are fewer and there's a clear path opening it's way up for moving forward.  All's well in my world....until the next time!

Enjoy your day and make the most of every moment as you never know what might be around the corner.

Just know that you can handle whatever happens, with excellence!

Noelyne Jones

P.S. Send for a copy of my Free Special Report here

Adjusting to changes in your life

A Message from Noelyne...

It's been a hectic few months with lots of change in my life happening so quickly that I've not yet had time to adjust.  What I mean is getting used to the changes to my lifestyle.  Prior to my partner and his boys moving in I had a very peaceful routine that worked extremely well for me.  Living alone means that you have no one else to answer to and can come and go as you please and live as you please.  Mornings were a quiet affair while I prepared myself for the day ahead. A combination of ablutions, meditation, exercise and breakfast.  If I wanted the radio on I would but sometimes I enjoy the peace and quiet not to be disturbed.

The other morning I'm quietly minding my own business as I go about the process of waking up.  Bearing in mind that the dishwasher now needs emptying every morning, there's four times as much rubbish to put out and constantly dirty dishes to clear away.  I'm not complaining in fact I am thankful for having a roof over my head and all these things to do.....my mind has just wandered to the people of Pakistan, which really puts all this into perspective.

There I am going about the process and my partner comes in and says 'You don't look happy'.  I was taken aback by his comment and totally unprepared and allowed it to upset me.  The discussion that followed allowed us to raise a couple of other things that were bothering both of us.  I've reflected since that morning and realised that my normal morning routine had been totally disrupted and that I needed to get back to doing the things that work for me i.e. the meditation and visualistion.  It's about adjsuting to the changes whilst retaining all that works for you.

I've lost the quiet peaceful early mornings however, I've gained so much more than that.  Sharing in the elder boys fantastic GCSE results this week and his success in a local competition at the gym, family meals, sharing and discussions, love and so much more.
My partner went out early this morning, the boys are in bed and I have just written this blog after meditating.

Bliss!

What have you stopped doing that is essential to your peace of mind?

Enjoy the process of life,

Noelyne Jones

P.S. Send for a copy of my Free Special Report here

What pushes you over your limit?

 Message from Noelyne...

I've been blogging about managing or not managing stress for the last few days mainly because since coming back from holiday I have had additional unexpected challenges to overcome.  I've been managing my normal business activities, completing design work on a training contract which has been a full time job, helping my partner and his two teenage boys to move in with me and getting used to having three men in my life and then the unexpected trashing of a house that I rent out and managing the repairs etc.

I'm getting there slowly but surely, thankfully although there's still a number of loose ends to tie up.  I really don't like loose ends and get quite frustrated when I am unable to finish something, particularly if it's out of my control.  On discovering that some of the paperwork that I need to make a claim is missing I burst into tears.  This was my signal to hold my hands up and say Help!  I have my limits and this one small thing was enough to push me over the limit.  In normal circumstances I would have handled missing paperwork quite calmly however, when it's on top of a lot of other things it can be enough to give you a mini breakdown. Have you felt like that before?  It's all too much and you just don't want to continue?

It's at times like that you need to be able to turn to someone you trust for help and advice.  I don't know about you however, I don't find asking for help very easy.  It can make you feel as though you have failed or are inadequate.  You feel as though you should be able to cope with everything and that people will think badly of you if you can't cope.  Well the other day I turned to my partner and said 'I need help', 'I am not coping with everything'.  A man does not like to see his woman in distress and he immediately came to my rescue and took responsibility for a couple of the tasks I had organised that day.  A man likes to be able to help and solve problems as it makes him feel good and strong too.  It was a huge relief for me and freed me up to concentrate on my key priority for that day, which was meeting my client's training contract requirements.

So don't be afraid to ask for help.  It will make everyone a lot happier!

Enjoy the process of life,

Noelyne Jones

P.S. For more advice on overcoming your fears send for a copy of my Free Special Report
  

More Stress Management

A Message from Noelyne....

MORE STRESS MANAGEMENT

As the following diagram shows some stress is good and vital for performance however, if not managed well it can lead to exhaustion and distress.  Read read the tips below for ideas on how to overcome stress.

Tips for Overcoming and Managing stress.  Keeping stress at a healthy level so that you benefit from it.

• Make stress your friend

Acknowledge that stress is good and make stress your friend! Based on the body’s natural “fight or flight” response that burst of energy will enhance your performance at the right moment. I’ve yet to see a top sportsman totally relaxed before a big competition, although Usain Bolt does a pretty good impression of being stress free. Use stress wisely to push yourself that little bit harder when it counts most.

• Stress is contagious

What I mean by this is that negative people can be a huge stressor.  Negativity breeds stress and some people know how to do nothing but complain.  Now you can look at this in one of two ways.  First, they see you as a positive, upbeat person and hope that you can bring them back “up”.  If that’s not it, then they’re just a negative person and can’t feel better about themselves unless those around them are negative as well.
Don’t get caught up in their downing behavior.  Recognize that these kinds of people have their own stress and then limit your contact with them.  You can try to play stress doctor and teach them how to better manage their stress, but be aware that this may contribute more to your own stress, so tread lightly.

• Copy good stress managers

When people around are losing their head, which keeps calm? What are they doing differently? What is their attitude? What language do they use? Are they trained and experienced? Figure it out from afar or sit them down for a chat. Learn from the best stress managers and copy what they do.  This goes for learning from successful people too.  So if someone has what you want look at what it is that they do and say and then copy them but in your own style.

• Use heavy breathing.

Yes I give you permission to do some heavy breathing.  You can trick your body into relaxing by using heavy breathing. Breathe in slowly for a count of 7 then breathe out for a count of 11. Repeat the 7-11 breathing until your heart rate slows down, your sweaty palms dry off and things start to feel more normal.

• Stop stress thought trains

It is possible to tangle yourself up in a stress knot all by yourself. “If this happens, then that might happen and then we’re all up the creek!” Most of these things never happen, so why waste all that energy worrying needlessly?  How does worrying help?
Give stress thought-trains the red light and stop them in their tracks.

• Know your stress hot spots and trigger points

Presentations, interviews, meetings, giving difficult feedback, tight deadlines……. Do these crank up your heart rate just thinking about them!
Make your own list of stress trigger points or hot spots. Be specific. Is it only presentations to a certain audience that get you worked up? Does one project cause more stress than another? Did you drink too much coffee?
Knowing what causes your stress is powerful information, as you can take action to make it less stressful. Do you need to learn some new skills? Do you need extra resources? Do you need to switch to de-caffeinated coffee?

• Eat, drink, sleep and be merry!

Lack of sleep, poor diet and no exercise wreaks havoc on our body and mind. Kind of obvious, but worth mentioning as it’s often ignored as a stress management technique. Listen to your mother and don’t burn the candle at both ends!

• Avoid using artificial means to dealing with your stress.

That means don’t automatically pour a glass of wine when you think you’re getting stressed out and don’t light up a cigarette.  In actuality, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and drugs can make the problem worse.  A better idea is to practice relaxation techniques.  Then, once you’re relaxed, you can have that glass of wine if you want.

• Go outside and enjoy Mother Nature.  

This is one of my favourite.  When I recognise that I'm stressed one of the first things I do is take a walk round the block.  A little sunshine and activity can have amazing ramifications on your stress level and will enhance your entire outlook towards life. Your improved attitude will have a positive effect on everyone in your family and/ or circle of friends; things which seem overwhelming will soon become trivial matters, causing you to wonder what the predicament was.
Not only will you be less stressed, you will be healthier, happier, and more energetic; ready to face whatever obstacles come your way.

•  Give yourself permission to be a 'kid' again. 

What did you enjoy when you were a child? Draw; paint; be creative. Play with Play- dough, dance, or read. Play music, allow yourself freedom to express yourself without worry that you're not keeping with the image of who you are 'supposed' to be. Just relax and enjoy yourself.  You have a little child in you and it's a good idea to allow expression of the child within from time to time.  I love to turn the music up load and then dance around the kitchen.  Even my partners teenagers love it when I do air guitar.

• Don't set unrealistic for goals for yourself.

  How often have you set yourself up for defeat simply by setting unrealistic goals for yourself? For example, if you are dieting, realize you cannot lose 40 pounds in one or two months.
Or maybe you are trying to reach a goal of obtaining a particular job position; whatever your goal is allow sufficient time to reach your goals and realize occasional setbacks may occur.
If you reach your goal without any delays, you will be even happier with yourself for arriving quicker than you planned, but don't expect it. In fact don't expect anything; expectations and reality are often two entirely different things.

• Learn it is OK to say 'no' occasionally.  

Do you feel you have to say 'yes' to everyone, every time you are asked for help and feel that you must respond in a positive fashion?  Remember, you cannot be all things to all people. You must first meet your own needs before you can truly give others what they need while at the same time keeping yourself happy.
You do not have to do everything your family and friends.  Of course you can help others, but first make sure you have done what is necessary to take care of yourself.
Make time for yourself, your number one priority; once your own needs are met you will find you have more time for others. And you may find more pleasure in helping others when you don't feel that you must always put others needs before your own.
Enjoy the process of life and turn stress to your advantage,
Noelyne Jones
P.S. Free Special Report on How to Overcome your Fears - Get it here  

Overcome your Stress

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A Message from Noelyne....

Ok here's a video for you to check out.  I like to offer as many alternatives as possible so this one is about overcoming your stress through visualisation.  The concept works for many people, including the two presenters....or are they just playing along with it?  Let me know what you think.

Enjoy the process of life and don't let things get you down, it's really not worth it. Enjoy each moment, take yourself and situations lightly. See the humour in every situation.
God bless,
Noelyne Jones
P.S. Request a copy of my Free Special Report here.

How to Overcome Stress.

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A Message from Noelyne...

There are three major approaches to overcome stress. The first is the action-oriented approach. In this method, the problems that cause stress are identified and necessary changes are made for a stress free life.
The next approach is emotionally oriented and in it, the person overcomes stress by giving a different color to the experience that caused stress. The situation, which causes stress, is seen humorously or from a different angle.
I especially advocate this approach to stress management.  Sometimes if you don’t laugh at a situation, you’ll cry – uncontrollably.  That’s no solution.  So learn to see the humour instead of the doom.
The third way is acceptance-oriented approach. This approach focuses on surviving the stress caused due to some problem in the past.
The first stress management tip is to understand the root cause of your stress. No one understands your problem better than you do. A few minutes spent to recognise your true feelings can completely change the situation.
During this process, identify what triggered the stress. If someone close to your heart is nearby share it with the person. If you are overstressed and feel you are going to collapse, take a deep breath and count till ten. This pumps extra oxygen into your system and rejuvenates the entire body.
When under severe stress meditate for a moment and pull out of the current situation for a little while. Stand up from your current position and walk. Stretch yourself. Soon you will find that the stress has lessened.
This is because you have relaxed now and relaxation is the best medicine for stress. Smiling is yet another way of stress management. If you are at the work place, just stand up and smile at your colleague in the far corner. You will see a change in your mood. Learn some simple yoga or mediation techniques.
You can also invent your own stress management tips. The basic idea is to identify the cause of stress and to pull out from it for a moment and then deal with it. Taking a short walk and looking at objects in nature is another stress reliever. Drinking a glass of water or playing small games are simple stress management techniques. The whole idea is change the focus of attention and when you return to the problem, it does not look as monstrous as you felt before.
If you don't overcome or manage stress effectively the effect on you can be debilitating in terms of your health and well-being and your life.  So identifying and overcoming stress is vital.  Understand and learn to recognise when things in your life are causing you to feel unhealthily stressed.
Noelyne Jones
P.S. Request a copy of my Free Special Report here