Too Much Stress

A Message from Noelyne....

Are you feeling stressed?  Anxious? Irritated? Out of sorts with yourself and your life?  You probably have too much going on at once.  Too many problems happening at the same time.  Too many things that are causing you concern.  Financial concerns, relationship issues, keeping up with the household chores, children misbehaving.....

When a problem presents itself on it's own you can normally handle the situation.  When too many problems happen at once or there's a build up of things that it gets out of control and you start to lose the plot.  Some pressure is good for you as it keeps you motivated and keeps life interesting.  Stops you from getting bored.  However, when you have too much pressure then it can be a problem.  The amount of stress that you deal with increases which has an adverse effect on your health.  Your emotional and physical state deteriorates and you feel out of control.  Relationships suffer and it's downhill from there.

Recognising when this is happening is the first step to handling the situation.  Once you are aware of what's happening you can take responsibility for change.  Review what's happening and make a plan for the action that you need to take.  Ask for help, talk to someone.  Don't suffer on your own.

It will be worth it in the end,

Enjoy the process of life,

Noelyne Jones

P.S. Easily Overcome Your Fears Now with my Free Special Report.  Click here to download

How not to overcome your fears

A Message from Noelyne...

If you don't want to overcome your fears then just keep on focusing on them.  Simple!  Keep worrying about what might happen, what might go wrong and all the problems that you have.  Stay focused on all your insecurities, your lack of confidence and your fears and anxieties.  Imagine that you will never ever get what you want in life.  Does that approach to life seem familiar to you?  You are not alone, many people worry themselves sick about their problems.  However, that's not the way to overcome your fears.  There is a much easier way.

You focus on what you do want.  Imagine overcoming your fears and anxieties, imagine feeling confident, secure and happy.  Allow yourself to really believe that you can do it.  When you have a problem instead of focusing on the problem focus on what you want to achieve, imagine having solved the problem, then think about what you need steps you need to take to get there.

When things get you down abd you are feeling overwhelmed by toomuch stress, competing priorities and demands, it's even more important to take time out to focus on what it will be like when you don't have all those pressures and problems.  It isn't easy to remember to do that when you are caught up in the daily process of life however, when you take time out to shift your own internal state of being then the external world changes to match your new state and magic starts to happen.


Try it and let me know how you get on.

Enjoy the process of life,


Noelyne Jones

P.S. Remember to request a copy of my Free Special Report which gives more tips on overcoming your fears.

www.howtoovercomeyourfears.com

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

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
    

Stress Management techniques

A Message from Noelyne....

 Here are five quick steps you can take toward relieving and overcoming stress:

1.    Don’t just sit there. Move! According to many psychologists, motion creates emotion. You might notice that when you are idle, it’s easier to become depressed. Your heart rate slows down, less oxygen travels to your brain, and you are slumped somewhere in a chair blocking air from reaching your lungs.
I challenge you right now, regardless of how you are feeling, to get up and walk around at a fast tempo. Maybe you might want to go to an empty room and jump up and down a little bit. It may sound silly but the results speak for themselves. Try it now for a few minutes. It works like magic.
Exercise can be a great stress buster.  People with anxiety disorders might worry that aerobic exercise could bring on a panic attack.  After all, when you exercise, your heart rate goes up, you begin to sweat, and your breathing becomes heavier.
Don’t panic – it’s not an attack!  Tell yourself this over and over while you’re exercising.  Realize that there’s a big difference between the physical side of exercise and what happens when you exercise.
2.    Smell the roses. How do you smell the roses? How about investing some money to go on that one trip you’ve been dreaming about? Visit a country with lots of exotic places to jolt your imagination and spur your creativity. You need to detach from your daily activities and venture a little bit.
3.    Help others cope with their problems. It is very therapeutic when you engross yourself in helping others. You will be surprised how many people’s problems are worse than those you may be facing. You can offer others assistance in countless ways. Don’t curl up in your bed and let depression and stress take hold of you.
Get out and help somebody. But be careful.  Don’t get caught up in other people’s problems in an attempt to forget about your own.
I am constantly being called by friends and family when they want to vent or get advice.  I joke and tell them “Don’t call the ‘crazy’ person for advice!”  But there are times that I find myself worrying about the ones who call me and I get caught up in what they’re going through.  This just gives me more stress than I already have and I find that I have to step away and re-assess myself and my priorities.
I’m now to the point where I can tell them that I just can’t deal with it right now and to call back later.  Sometimes, they get upset, but more often than not, they understand.  But I’ve learned not to get too upset about their reactions.
4.    Laugh a little. By now you’ve heard that laughter is a good internal medicine. It relieves tension and loosens the muscles. It causes blood to flow to the heart and brain. More importantly, laughter releases a chemical that rids the body of pains.
Every day, researchers discover new benefits of laughter. Let me ask you this question: “Can you use a good dose of belly-shaking laughter every now and then?” Of course you can. What you are waiting for? Go a comedy club or rent some funny movies.
5.    Wear your knees out. If there were one sustainable remedy I could offer you when the going gets tough, it would be prayer. Many people, depending on their faith, might call it meditation. It doesn’t matter to me what you call it, as long as you have a place to run to.

There you have a few quick fixes when you’re feeling stressed.  These will help you overcome stress and feel more relaxed in yourself.  Try them and find out what works best for you.

Enjoy,

Noelyne Jones


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

Eliminate Stress from your life.

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A Message from Noelyne....

I recently saw a title of an article on 'How to eliminate stress and anxiety from your life'.  Initially I thought that was a great title however, after thinking a little more I wondered why you would want to eliminate stress completely.  In my experience some stress is good for you.  It motivates you to take action.  It can give you a buzz and get you in the zone for achieving fantastic results.  Some stress keeps you alert and aware, keeps you focused on what you are aiming for.  Without the stress you tend to sit back, relax and take things easy and so not achieve very much.  Just like when you are on holiday, so now and again this is also good for you.

It's when you get too much stress that things tend to get out of hand resulting in confusion, a loss of focus, overload, poor decision making and poor results.  If the high levels of stress are prolonged then this can often result in illness in the body such as headaches, ulcers and other serious health conditions.

Each individual is different and will have different tolerance levels in terms of dealing with too many things going on at once.  The majority of people would be able to handle each one of these things if that's all that was happening, it's when you get many things all at the same time that it becomes stressful and mistakes happen. I've recently come back from holiday where I totally switched off however, on my return I discovered that my home phone and broadband had been disconnected in error, a number of problems with a property that I rent out, my partner is confirmed as requiring a major operation and getting used to having someone living with me again.  This on top of the normal day to day activities of living and running a thriving business.
Tips for Managing too much going on at once

1. Recognise and accept that you have too much happening.
2. Know that you are not alone, there is always someone ready to help out both voluntarily and paid.
3. Take a deep breath and for each situation be very clear on what you want to achieve. 
4. Plan what needs to be done in order of priority. (Don't panic! as this is when mistakes happen)  Depending on what it is that you are dealing with check your rights and responsibilities first. Write things down.
5.  Take action.  If you need other people on board consider who you know and trust.  If you are paying people aim to employ people recommended to you, so reducing the stress of poor quality work.

Put things into perspective.  You will get through this phase of your life.  There are normally people far worse off for example, people losing their lives in disasters or in conflict situations.  If you are handling situations that you wish had not happened stop focusing on what's wrong and focus on the solution.  See it as a learning experience for you and an opportunity to connect with other people and perhaps to give employment to other people.  There is opportunity in every situation.


I'll post some stress management techniques next time,
 Enjoy the process of life,

Noelyne Jones

P.S. Free Special Report on How to Overcome Your Fears, get your copy here Free

Post holiday stress and how to manage it.

A Message from Noelyne....


It doesn't take long to get stressed out again does it?  You've just had a fabulous holiday and don't have a care in the world and you start to believe that you can be like this all the time.  You know that you have to eventually go home however, you delay switching your mind back on until the very last moment which really starts when you have to pack away your stuff.  That's when you start to wonder where you put things like the tickets, passports and house keys and parking tickets.  The slow process of winding yourself up again starts.

You dread the journey home because there's bound to be delays of some sort or someone will get sick in the car etc.  And then there's the thought of all that washing....  Will the house still be there?  The garden may be overgrown.  Can you feel the tension starting to come back?

The beauty of being in self-catering with a washing machine is that you can do the washing before you come home and get the family to help.  It's quite a novelty for them using someone elses equipment!  Plus the boys were heading straight for another holiday with their Mum so it was a necessity.

Pillows in the car for the children to sleep and Mp3 players are a godsend.  They were soon asleep.  Keeping calm when we got caught in traffic is always a challenge however, great music helps as does a cheerful partner and regular stops for coffee.


Arriving home at a reasonable time of day is always a bonus as it gives you time to unpack and then settle down for an evening meal and relaxation and an early night.  Travelling tends to create stress on the body so it's good not to aim to achieve too much on the first day back.  Do you find that the further away you have travelled the longer it takes you to recover?

This year due to a problem that had arisen whilst on holiday I had to arrange a meeting for the day I arrived home, which was a bit of a shock to the system and not recommended.  However, the meeting identified a new problem which needed to be solved so I was able to take action sooner than if I'd left it yet another day.  Unfortunately, having solved the new problem this identified yet more problems previously hidden.  I can't yet blog about them as I need to seek legal advice.  Yet more challenges to overcome and more things for me to learn and eventually share with you.

So not the best return from a holiday I have had however, at least I was in a wonderful frame of mind to deal with them.  So much for the slow wind up too, guess who is already ready for the next holiday.

Enjoy the process of life,

Noelyne Jones

P.S. Request a copy of my free special report here

Too much going on at once? Feeling stressed

A Message from Noelyne...

Do you get stressed when you have lot of loose ends, things that are still to be done however, you are waiting for other people to do their bit?  One or two you can cope with but once you get 5 or six or more then it can get a tad unsettling.

You start to get impatient wanting it all to be resolved sooner rather than later.  You can even start to get obsesive with it constantly focusing on things that are outside your control and worrying that it might all go pear shaped.

How to handle the stress?

Make sure you have done everything that you can to influence the outcome and then sit back and wait patiently. Put your mind to other activities that you can do something about and know that all wil be resolved in it's own good time.  Stop fighting the power of the universe, which is what you are doing my being impatient.  It is a sign of resisitance to change.  And anyway the universe doesn't fight it's nly ever there to help and support you so there will be a reason why things are not yet complete, a reason for all those loose ends. 

Just imagine what it will feel like when all is finalised and whatever you set out to do is achieved.

How good will that feel.

Finally when you feel stressed, work out what you are feeling stressed about, put them in an imaginary bucket and throw it away.  Then list all the things you are thankful for.  It will bring a smile to your face and dissolve stress instantly.

Enjoy the process of life,

Noelyne Jones

P.S. Request a copy of my Free Special Report on How to overcome your fears

How to Overcome Emotional Eating

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A Message from Noelyne...

How to Overcome Emotional Eating

Eating is a part of life.  Your body gets its nutrients from food.  Sometimes we can go overboard with our eating habits and it can result in gaining weight.  One issue with food is emotional eating. 

The problem of emotional eating may end with the scale but it begins in the mind.  Stress takes its toll on your life.  When your defenses are compromised your health takes a hit and so do your emotions. 

Everyone has good days and bad days.  How you deal with the bad ones brings emotional eating into play.  You look for comfort for your hurts.  People who turn to food for comfort find a coping mechanism that won’t judge them, hurt them or tell them “no.” To complicate the issue, eating pleasurable foods can stimulate the release of endorphins just like exercise.  So, after you eat, you feel better.

Emotional eaters use food to relieve stress.  They hide behind the food instead of seeking solutions to the problems.  This is not uncommon when the stressor is something horrible such as physical abuse or a death.

But, how do you know you are using food in this way?  The first sign is obvious.  You will gain weight if you eat too much.  In light of the weight gain, examine other areas of your life:

* Have you been under stress lately at work or at home?
* Has anything traumatic happened in the last year?
* Are you dealing with a problem but haven’t found a solution?

Answering “yes” to any of these questions could mean that you are an emotional eater.  You eat but you are not necessarily hungry at the time.  The foods that you choose are what we term “comfort foods”:

* High fat foods like French fries, fried foods
* High carb foods like macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes
* Sugary foods like ice cream, donuts, cookies, cake

There is help for emotional eaters.  The first step is recognizing that you have a problem.  You’ll experience feelings of helplessness and guilt.  The guilt is over potentially ruining your health and the helplessness lies in the fact that you don’t see a way out.

Secondly, seek counseling.  There are many types of counselors out there that can meet your need.  Emotional eating has nothing to do with dieting or changing your eating habits but gaining control over your emotions. 

A counselor might suggest things like visualization, practicing problem solving skills, relaxation techniques and family support.  Visualization helps you to see your problems in a realistic way and not blown out of proportion.  You will also learn to see food as nutrition for the body and not an emotional crutch.

Thirdly, your family can learn your triggers for stress and be on the lookout for changes in your eating habits.  They can help you be aware of the foods you are eating, assist you in making healthy food choices and exercise along with you.  Proper diet and exercise increases immunity, blood flow and positive thinking.  Yoga enhances the mind/body connection so you don’t eat when you aren’t hungry.

Finding new ways to solve your problems and deal with stress will push food out of the equation.  You’ll feel good about finding solutions which will replace the dependence on food.  

Helping you stay happy and healthy,

Noelyne Jones

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

10 easy steps to guarantee happiness

A Message from Noelyne....

Happy as You Want to Be

Almost everyone have heard the hit single 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' by Bobby McFerrin. The song has a very catchy way of conveying its message of being happy to everyone. Bobby Mcferiin's simple message surely made a lot of people by telling them not to worry.

Living a happy, resilient and optimistic life is wonderful, and is also good for your health. Being happy actually protects you from the stresses of life. Stress is linked to top causes of death such as heart disease, cancer and stroke.

One of the better things ever said is - 'The only thing in life that will always remain the same is change', and in your life you have the power to make the necessary changes if you want to. Even if you find yourselves in an unbearable situation you can always find solace in the knowledge that it too would change.

Social networks or relationships are essential to happiness. People are different, accept people for who or what they are, avoid clashes, constant arguments, and let go of all kinds of resentments. If arguments seem unavoidable still try and make an effort to understand the situation and you might just get along with well with

Happiness is actually found in everyone, increasing it is a way to make a life more wonderful and also more healthy.

To be happy is relatively easy, just decide to be a happy person. Abraham Lincoln observed that most people for most of the time can choose how happy or stressed, how relaxed or troubled, how bright or dull their outlook to be. The choice is simple really, choose to be happy.

There are several ways by which you can do this.
 
1.  Being grateful is a great attitude.  We have so much to be thankful for. Thank the taxi driver for bringing you home safely, thank the cook for a wonderful dinner and thank the guy who cleans your windows. Also thank the mailman for bringing you your mail, thank the policeman for making your place safe and thank God for being alive.

2.  News is stressful. Get less of it. Some people just can't start their day without their daily dose of news. Try and think about it, 99% of the news you hear or read is bad news. Starting the day with bad news does not seem to be a sensible thing to do. Nor does ending the day with bad news so avoid TV and radio last thing at night.  In fact avoid TV if you really want to be successful.

3.  A religious connection is also recommended. Being part of a religious group with its singing, sacraments, chanting, prayers and meditations foster inner peace.

4.  Manage your time. Time is invaluable and too important to waste. Time management can be viewed  as a list of rules that involves scheduling, setting goals, planning, creating lists of things to do and prioritizing. These are the core basics of time management that should be understood to develop an efficient personal time management skill. These basic skills can be fine tuned further to include the finer points of each skill that can give you that extra reserve to make the results you desire.

5.  Laugh and laugh heartily everyday.  Heard a good joke? Tell your friends or family about it. As they also say -'Laughter is the best medicine'.
 
6.  Express your feelings, affections, friendship and passion to people around you. They will most likely reciprocate your actions. Try not to keep pent up anger of frustrations, this is bad for your health. Instead find ways of expressing them in a way that will not cause more injury or hurt to anyone.
 
7.  Working hard brings tremendous personal satisfaction. It gives a feeling of being competent in finishing our tasks. Accomplishments are necessary for all of us, they give us a sense of value. Work on things that you feel worthy of your time.

8.  Learning is a joyful exercise. Try and learn something new everyday.  Learning also makes us expand and broaden our horizons. And could also give us more opportunities in the future.

9.  Run, jog, walk and do other things that your body was made for. Feel alive.

10.  Avoid exposure to negative elements like loud noises, toxins and hazardous places.

These are the few simple things you can do everyday to be happy.

And always remember the quote from Abraham Lincoln, he says that, "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

Enjoy the process of life!

Noelyne Jones

P.S. Request a copy of my Free Special Report on How to Feel Healthy and Happy