Working through the previous Help Pages should have reduced unnecessary stresses in your life, but a major problem may remain that is not easily overcome.
So here are some tried and proven ways to cope with your situation:
- ACCEPTANCE - if you really cannot get away from the stress causing situation, then you can change your attitude by accepting the reality of your situation. Some think of this as accepting your "Karma" or "Fate" - however you look at it, acceptance will bring some inner peace to you.
The good news is - nothing lasts forever, so maybe things will get better later on. Read more. - AVOIDANCE - maybe you can reduce stress by avoiding something or someone - examples might be avoiding excessive drinking, or a "friend" who upsets you. Staying out of the way is a viable way of achieving some peace in your life.
- MAKE A CHANGE - this may take some time (meanwhile Accept!) but even making a plan to make a change will improve your outlook. Courage will be needed, and you may have to seek help - but if you ask yourself: "Am I willing to put up with this for the foreseeable future?" what is your answer? If you feel "NO!" then you will have to face up and think about doing something.
- LIVE IN THE NOW - Authors such as Eckhart Tolle ("The Power of Now") and Petrea King ("Your Life Matters") have shown us the peace that comes with living in just this moment, one moment at a time, one day at a time. If your mind is constantly thinking about your situation, or doing the "What ifs" then bringing your attention to what you are doing right now and keeping your attention on yourself will get your mind off your worries. This fits in with Acceptance as covered above. You can learn this skill and it will stand you in good stead. Read more.
- AVOID ANGER & RESENTMENT - often these feelings result from being "caught" in some stressful situations - but: they are destructive emotions when carried on over time. These negative feelings will keep you feeling "uptight" - no chance of inner peace! If this sounds familiar, then go back up the page and think again.
- FORGIVENESS - this mature response is the way to overcome anger, resentment and bitterness. Forgiving yourself or another person for your predicament is the way to gain your inner peace. We do this for ourselves, not for others. By forgiving we are opening up ourselves to possibilities that may not have seemed obvious before. Forgiveness has been practised by many wise people over time. Read more.
