Secrets of Success

Squeeze in a few more steps...

Since I work in an office and sit at a desk all day sometimes it can be really hard to hit 10,000 steps on my pedometer. In an effort to squeeze in a few more steps I started making more trips to the printer. When I have to print up multiple documents I walk to the printer after I print each one. Not only do a get more steps in each day, but we don't have 4 people trying to figure out who printed what!

Improving sleep quality

I've developed a way to break bad sleeping habits (specifically falling asleep on the couch glued to the "boob tube") - I work on preparing the body for traditional sleep ahead of time - I have found that putting as many articles that I can that I associate with active, wakeful night life away from sight early in the evening, and prepare the bed area for arrival (slippers and robe beside bed, bed clothes at the ready).......this has made a great difference!

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Reduce Stress

Schedule a Spa manicure and pedicure once a month to relieve stress and enhance self-esteem!

Do One Thing, Do it Well - Cynthia Heald

The author foused on this at a recent women's event highlighting simplicity. You can gracefully say no because your focus is on one important activity. You are honored to be asked, but no, not at this time. Another point, never just automatically say yes. Pray, then get back with a prayed out, thought out response.

rest *more* when you feel you don't have time to rest

"I have so much to accomplish today that I must meditate for two hours instead of one."
Gandhi

Stress Reliever

I love my job but work can be pretty stressful so I try to find ways to alleviate the stress before I even get to the office. I do this by sitting up as straight as I can in my car - having good posture - and I practice deep breathing for about five minutes. It's pretty basic but I start out my morning feeling relaxed and calm.

take the stairs at work

If there are stairs at work, take them. If you sit all day, take a break and walk a few flights of stairs.

Sleep - Get enough of it!

6 years ago I spent two weeks in bed & 4 weeks out of work with cranial shingles. It took 6 months to feel back in the game and I still have to manage the symptoms. Culprit-stress! I was only 43. I have taken several steps to reduce & manage stress. Besides a better diet, more exercise, & reduced commute days by working from home more, enough SLEEP has been critical. I even track my sleep in "other goals" on SP. 8 hours/night at least 5 nights/week & no less than 7 on the other 2.

Simple life stress reducer

I went to a therapist because life had become so over whelming and sad. I had been working for two years in a humanitarian effort that wore on me.

One sentence saved my life: Only do what you WANT to do. Realizing that relieved my stress immediately.

I only do what I want now- I want to loose weight and eat healthy, I want to exercise and I want to make the world a kinder place.

Tension Tamer Tea

Sometimes when I am stressed out, all the breathing techniques and exercise won't work. So I turn on the tea kettle to boil some water and have a relaxing cup of Tension Tamer tea. It has kava kava in it and it always works for me.