We all experience temporary feelings of stress as part of our daily life; but when these feelings become long-lasting or chronic, they can have a severe impact on our health and wellbeing
Long term or Chronic stress can seem overwhelming, and at times you may feel unable to regain control over your life, hence it is important you don’t suffer in silence but seek professional medical guidance, advice and support from your doctor who could also refer you to specialist.
Some self-help techniques you can try includes include;-
Finding what is causing your stress and finding ways to deal with them yourself or seek professional advise
Developing a tool box of tips and techniques you can use
Sharing how you are feeling to others you trust
Practising breathing, relaxation, laughter yoga, and many other techniques.
If the self help techniques are not working for you than you should seek professional medical advice from your doctor or specialist in this area.
I must say initially, I was a bit uncomfortable with mediation, as I thought its was just weird. As I started to do some research, I was amazed at the different forms of meditation. I tried a couple before selecting a few techniques which I use.
I must say, now find meditation helps me to cast aside my stress and worries as I get into a deep state of relaxation which helps my mind to be calm and help to reduce stress. There are different forms of meditation which you can try. Just google simple meditation and then browse trough and try a few so you can find the one which suits you.
Meditation can be used as a quick-fix stress reliever to help you reverse your body’s stress response and get you into a relaxed sate. If you are new to the idea of meditation keep practising and you will for sure enjoy the benefits as I am.
Do share you experiences here with me. Rember, keep clam and don’t let stress steal you joy and happiness.
Stress is part of life and though we cannot avoid them, we can have a set of techniques we can use. One way to reduce stress is the use of mantras to help ease some of the tension and quiet the mind.. As we can use exercise to train our bodies, meditation and mantras can be used to train our minds .and help reduce stress. I have a number of mantras I use on a regular basis which help me especially moments when I feel stressed or overwhelmed. I also record them so I can listen to them.
According to Dr. Herbert Benson, president and founder of the Mind/Body Medical Institute at Harvard Medical School, those who chanted mantras experienced psychological changes. These changes ranged from reduced heart rate, lower stress levels, and slower metabolism. Benson also documented that repeating mantras can benefit the immune system and relieve insomnia, leading to reduced doctor visit.
Mantras can help us reduce stress by repeating them and by combining them with sound, breathing, and rhythm. This then evokes a relaxing quality and allows for your mind to stop wandering and for you to just be still.
Write down some mantras put them everywhere. At the office, at your desk, at home. Put it anywhere so you can glance over at it when you get overwhelmed. You could also record and listen to them when needed.
Thanks very much for taking time to read this, and I hope you found it useful,
Stress is linked to physical, mental, and emotional health. During Stress Awareness Month we are encouraged to learn about what triggers our stress and how we can best manage it using various tips and tools. I will be writing weekly blogs every Monday in April sharing things I have done to help me cope and manage stress based on my experience and from other individuals and organisations.
.
I have also written a self help book Crown of Smiles, which is a very practical. I share my journey from the time when I became divorced and a single parent of two boys, At about the same time my house was going to be repossessed, I had a lot of debt and was made redundant from my job.
The struggle was real and though at times I felt like giving up my faith kept me going and when I saw the smiles on my children’s faces it gave me hope and motivated me to seek help to cope with the sadness, depression and stressful moments. The book’s title is all about putting down my crown of sadness and replace it for the Crown of Smiles with hope, faith and gratitude that life will work out maybe not as how I had hoped, but hw it was meant to be.
According to the Mental Health Foundation in the United Kingdom, it seems that 74% of UK adults have had a moment where they’ve felt so stressed that they’ve been too overwhelmed or unable to cope with the situation. Not only that, but it has been estimated that between 75% and 90% of all visits to doctors are related to complaints or concerns whose root cause is stress.
So if we can make time to understand what cause us stress we can find ways to mange it, as we really cannot avoid stress. It is part of life.
Sometimes we can go through life smoothly with nothing happening and .other times it can seem that everything is happening all at once. We feel overwhelmed or stressed and this is ok as it is part of life, and perhaps its an opportunity for us to pause, reflect and set new priorities and boundaries.
The last few days I have been feeling overwhelmed and just felt like just running away from it all and go to a remote village where I can just chill, with no worries and just connect with nature.
I realise this feeling was mostly due to me taking on more work than I can cope with, and also letting other people’s issues drain me, and also not sticking to my boundaries. I decided to take time out for a few days to just pause, reflect and recharge. This is also what prompted me to write this blog,
Here are some of my tips which I hope will help you too when you feel a bit overwhelmed or stress.
Taking time to review your life is one of the most empowering activity you can do. Answer this question –Are the things I am doing each day moving me closer to achieving my goals and aspirations? If they are not, I encourage you to get piece of paper and pen, and take about an hour to just focus and answer these questions honestly as they will help you to evaluate your life and help you stay committed and motivated to take daily actions which will in turn help you to achieve your goals and aspirations.
Issue – What issues am I currently face with?
Goal – What would I like to happen about each issue??
Reality – What’s happening now in my life in relation to the issues I face?
Obstacles – What obstacles do I currently face that are stopping me from achieving my goals?
Options – What options do I have to overcome the obstacles I face?
Solution – Which of the options can I take on board?
Action – What things am I going to do to reach my desired solution>
Celebrate – How am I going to celebrate once I have resolved this issue?
Commitment – How committed am I to take the actions I have set, Accountability – Who can I share my goals that will help to motivate and encourage me?
Mantra – What is the sentence I am going to say each day till I achieve my desired result?.
” Remember! Don’t expect different results if you keep doing what you have always done.”
You’ve come this far. It’s okay to pause, reflect and take a break, but never stop believing in your dreams. Celebrate yourself because you’ve come this far, so you can achieve your goals. Be encouraged to do what you love, despite the occasional set backs and your consistency and determination will ensure all is well in the end.
At the end of each month, make it a lifestyle choice to take time out to evaluate and celebrate your life.
If you do need help to evaluate your life and prepare a plan for you to do this, do contact me for a free initial consultation.
Right now you might know me as the fun bubbly and colourful person, but their was a time in my life after my divorce in 2003, when I hit an all time low and for 5 years was locked in a period of sadness and depression. Sometimes I felt I was stuck in in deep hole with no way out. I lived my life on automatic pilot. To the outside world, friends and family, I looked and acted ok, but each time I went home, when the children slept, I would just sit down and cry. In the midst of it al, hearing the laughter of my children when they where playing gave me hope to carry on and be the best mother I could. As time went on. I was slowly able to pluck up the courage to reach out and to get help from various individuals who had gone through similar challenges I was going through as well as various organisation’s.
I started to develop my daily routines to help me have the courage to face each day. I decided to make happiness a life style choice as I got to realise that I was responsible for my own happiness. I have been able to use my experiences and information from courses, and help I received to help others to also develop daily happiness routines. It’s always a pleasure to get feedback weeks later to see the progress people are making.
Being happy is a lifestyle choice, so no matter what each day unfolds, make time to do something that makes you and someone else feel good. Remember that you are the captain of your own life. No one can give you happiness. It doesn’t come from money. It doesn’t come from fame. It comes from within you, not from your outside circumstances. You don’t have to have a “perfect” life to be happy. The really great news is that you don’t have to be young or old or wealthy or successful in order to be happy. Instead, you can develop a mindset of happiness.
Tips on how to create a Happier Life Style
Creating a happier lifestyle involves adopting healthy habits and making positive changes in your life. There are many things you can do to create a happier lifestyle. Here are some ideas:
Practice gratitude: Take a few minutes each day to reflect on what you’re grateful for. This can help shift your focus from what you don’t have to what you do have.
Stay active: Exercise can help boost your mood and energy levels. Find an activity you enjoy and make it a regular part of your routine.
Connect with others: Spending time with friends and family can help improve your mood and provide a sense of belonging. Make time for social activities that you enjoy.
Find meaning and purpose: Engage in activities that give your life meaning and purpose, such as volunteering or pursuing a hobby.
Take care of your body: Eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and taking care of your physical health can all contribute to a happier lifestyle.
Cultivate positive thinking: Practice positive self-talk and focus on the good things in your life. This can help you feel more optimistic and content
To develop happiness as a lifestyle. I have daily routines which help me to start and finish my day with positivity and gratitude for being alive.
My Morning Routine to fuel my day
My morning routine which fuels my day, I tend to wake up a 6am every day as I am a morning person, and spend up to 90 minutes each morning. I have done this for so many years that it has become a habit. You need to create a routine that will fit your life.
Afternoon routine for me to Pause, Recharge and Refresh
Their was a time when i used to work flat out without a break and as time went on i became burnt out and not very productive. I have learnt to take at least 45 minutes from my busy work schedule to just pause, reflect and recharge. It has now become part of my working week, and I always feel better for it. Even when I do visit clients on their premises, I always schedule my day to include breaks, though most times they seem to eat their lunch at their desk whilst also working. I do try and encourage them to have a break away from their desks.
My evening routine to unwind and relax
After a busy day, it is good to just take time to unwind and relax as this will help you have a good nights sleep.
We are each responsible for our own happiness. This means not blaming others for your unhappiness. It means figuring out ways in which you can be happy despite others’ (negative) behaviours and despite the external circumstances which are beyond your control
Tips to help you maintain your lifestyle of happiness
#
If you would like help to develop your own happier life, do contact me for initial free consultation via zoom or telephone.
The International Week of Happiness at Work is a Dutch initiative. Maartje Wolff and Fennande van der Meulen came up with the idea at the end of 2017 and launched the first International Week of Happiness at Work in 2018, together with Martin Leroy from Argentina. Why? Because they believe that Happiness at Work is important. When employees are happy at work, they are better parents, better friends, and better community members. The world will be a better place if more people are happy at work. Maartje and Fennande wrote the Happiness at Work Manifesto, that reflects their beliefs on the topic. Please check this website for more information. https://internationalweekofhappinessatwork.com/
As a happiness and wellbeing consultant, I am very excited to be involved in this week of celebrations and below are 7 things you could try as an individual as well as a team. You can also book me to do my 5 minutes fun lunch break sessions or Escape 2 Happiness Island to relieve stress sessions which are fun packed leaving you with good vibes and positivity.
Things you can do during the week
Happiness lunch break – it is very important that you take time from your desk to refresh yourself. Studies show that taking a lunch break allows your mind to rest, recharge and refocus, which can directly improve your productivity for the rest of the day. Taking time out during the day – even if you choose to have multiple, short breaks – this gives your brain a chance to recuperate.
2. One Minute Smilence – This is where you think happy thoughts whilst smiling for a minute
3. Gratitude – Write down all the positive things having a job allows you to do.
4. Thankful – Write down all the things that your are thankful for in your life
5. Escape to Happiness Island – Why not get me to deliver this fun session for your company where we virtually or in person visit happiness island using our imagination as well as singing, dancing and laughter yoga. You can also book to attend my lunch time free event via zoom
6.Positive Affirmations – Get different coloured paper and write some positive affirmations which you can put in a small box, and refer to them at regular times to motivate and inspire you
7. Have fun and book me Confident Queen to bring some good vibes to your office¬with my popular Happiness Lunch Hour at work. If I can make Simon Cowell on BGT smile, then I am sure I can do the same with your team! You can also join me on this free zoom lunch time event.
8. Laughter yoga and African dance workout sessions in your workplace or via zoom
This course is for you, if you are in need of regaining your confidence to bounce back from set back and take control of your life. The course is also for you too, if perhaps you want to do something, but fear is stopping you. This course will help you to unwrap the Gift of Confidence which is within so that you can have the courage to take a leap of faith and take action which will lead you to achieving your goals and aspirations.
Course Module : Put on your Crown of Confidence and be unstoppable
Module1 : The confidence assessment – Just how confident are you?
Module 2: Believing in yourself – What do you need to believe in yourself?
Module 3:How to overcome your negative thoughts
Module 4:How to overcome negative comments from others
Module 5:How to feel confident all of the time!
Module 6:Your confidence plan – How to lead a great, confident life
GIFT OF CONFIDENCE TOOL BOX
During the course, you will make your own Gift of Confidence Tool Box with items you can use and refer to on a regular basis to help you maintain your happiness and confidence levels as you go through your amazing life’s journey.
BENIFITS OF ATTENDING THIS COURSE
*You will be inspired and energised
*You will be more positive and believe in your self
*You will have tools and resources to help you in your journey of being more confident
*You will be able to achieve more and live a life of limitless possibilities
*You will have your own Gift of Confidence Tool Box with tips and things to help you sustain your confidence and happiness levels.
COURSE FORMAT
Book Half Hour free consultation – email me now genny@confidentqueen.co.uk
Attend Workshops of two hour durations face to face or online for 6 weeks
Attend 1day’s intensive workshop online one day course 10am to 3pm
Attend 2 half day workshop 10am to 1pam
Purchase the training course and study at your own pace with support from me Confident Queen
CONFIDENT QUEEN GENNY – your Confidence builder and trainer
I deliver my the course loaded with my training as a life coach as well a my own life story of a time in my life where I suffered low self esteem and confidence so much that I could not look at myself in the mirror. This was because I let the negative comments of people drag me down into a period of depression and anxiety. Delivering this course is a way of helping you to overcome challenges you may be facing and to be inspired as you focus on a better and brighter future. I have used the course materials by life coach Sean Mcpheat over the years for various organisations and individuals. I have also been able to add my own real life examples of occasions where I have had to unwrap my Gift of Confidence; one of those occasions being when I appeared on Britain’s Got Talent.
SOME OF MY AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS
The Life Changers Award, a Global Women Innovators and Inventors recognition for Gift of Confidence Programme, as well as a certificate of Achievement from Barclays Bank Trading Awards which celebrate those individuals who have overcome adversity and use their experience to help other,
Please complete the form below and let me know your requirements.
I have created a happy space in my home, where I can just go, relax, meditate and use my imagination and all my senses to achieve inner peace and happiness away from the business of every day life. I am grateful I have space in our home to do this. Further along this blog I share other ideas of creating your happy space if you don’t have the space in your home.
My Happy space at at home
I have created my own happy space by getting the backdrop of a beach scene. I also bought a folding sofa bed which I can also use as a chair. I then lie on my chair, with some lovely relaxing music playing in the background, and I imagine myself having a wonderful time in my own happy island.
My Happy Outdoor Place
Our Local Promenade – When I go to our local promenade, I feel very relaxed as I can sit down, watch the boats go by and watch the swans and listen to the sound of the waves. I spend time imagine myself on a boat going on a cruise to different parts of the world where I meet new people, have new experiences and just have fun. I can also feed the swans, and make new friends as most times people will just come and sit next to me and start to chat.
I love spending time meditating by focusing on the waterfall and taking in the sounds it makes, as this helps to clear my mind.
Over to you now – Where is your space or place?
Remember it’s a place you can go to chill out, change your environment and zap up some energy, enthusiasm and passion for life.
Your happy place can be:-
A small area in your bedroom
In your garden
In your car
In your imagination – you just visualise being in your own happy Island – check my blog http://wp.me/p1aWbA-iz
Confident Queen Genny 