6 Steps to Start Living a Simpler and Happier Life

The simpler life requires you to figure out precisely what your idea of heaven is and then design your life as close to it as possible while you're still on this planet. 

As a single parent you need to do this. 

Begin with these 6 Steps to Start Living a Simpler and Happier Life.

 1. Relax your standards.

     If you are struggling to meet self-imposed standards   because you find the effort  satisfying, then, by all means   struggle on. But if meeting your standards leave you with too little energy to enjoy other things, it's time to relax them.

      2. Take Time to Figure What You Find Most Satisfying

     Set aside the time to think about what it is that gives you the most pleasure and satisfaction, and start doing it.

      3. Create Time for the Things You Care About.

     The purpose of taking the time to think about what it is you care about is to make time for those things in your life.

      4. Learn to Enjoy What’s in Front of You.

      Try to see everything that’s beautiful in front of you and live in that moment. There's a skill involved in looking at what’s in front you and finding a gift in it.To some extent I’m talking    about a half full rather than a half  empty approach to life.This type of vision really cuts away all kinds of clutter.

       5. Learn to be Flexible.

      Many of us develop patterns of behavior – habits – that takes on a life of their own. In fact, there is a real value in change, that is, in shaking things up every now and then and surprising everyone, including yourself.

      6.  Prioritize

     The entire notion of prioritizing how you spend your time implies that you actually  have some control over your life. It is that kind of taking control and experiencing satisfaction    that I am trying to foster.

Clearly we all have things we must do that we wish we didn't have to do. But as I said earlier, you will be surprised to discover just how much choice you have about where your energies go.

Remember you really do have the capacity to make choices. And that’s the key to a simpler life.

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12 Most Effective Ways for Handling Stress

We all experience it at one time or another; this condition is called stress.  It is perhaps the number one cause of most health problems today including ulcers, coronary heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, lung problems, accidental injuries, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide. 

Anti-anxiety drugs and ulcer medications are among the best selling prescription drugs in the United States.

Nevertheless, stress is the process of living. The process of living is the process of having stress imposed on you and reacting to it without allowing it to cause any of the above health problems. 

Now let’s explore the 12 steps for managing stress in your life in a healthy and effective manner.

1. Talk about the problems you are experiencing with friends, loved ones, or a professional. Keeping everything bottled up will only create more problems later on.

2. Exercise. Exercise relieves tension and produces a calming effect.

3. Take a bath. A warm bath can be very relaxing and soothing.

4. Music can be calming. Listen to some soft jazz or instrumental music. Ocean or nature sounds also are a good way to release stress.

5. Healthy meals  can limit your stress.  Try to eat three meals a day (no heavy meals), and although there are health benefits in drinking coffee, keep it to no more than three or four cups a day. 

6. Sleep deprivation can cause stress. Six to seven hours sleep can often make all the difference.

7. Coping with stress can be challenging.  Every day you seem to be pulled in every direction, trying to accommodate others.  So, take care of yourself. You are the thread which holds your family together. If you are stressed, you won’t be much good to anyone.

8. Give yourself a break every now and then.  Buy a new outfit; go to a movie; do something you’ve always wanted to do.  Ask someone dependable to take care of your children for a few hours. Alone time is just as important to you as it is for everyone else. Think of yourself as a gas tank; eventually you will run out of fuel.

9. Laughter is a wonderful release. Releasing tension through laughter is one the best cure-all method for dealing with stress-related issues.

10. Avoid stressful situations whenever possible.  If you are a working single parent, it’s probably not the job but the people who are causing you the most stress. Take everything in stride.

11. If you can’t finish a task, don’t worry about it.  If dinner doesn't turn out as you expected, improvise or pick up something.

12. Life is too short; and stress can reduce it further. Nothing is more important than your health or state of mind. 

How well are you handling stress? Do you think these steps can be helpful? Leave your comments below.  

Stess can be a Killer. Here are 3 Ways to Superbly Manage it

Stress is to be expected and embraced.

Stress is normal. Everyone feels stress related to work, relationships, choices, decisions, your future and more. 

Stress affects everyone everyday and for the most part, stress offers the push we need to respond to a pressing situation.

Because it offers the aforementioned push, stress can be positive. You need a certain amount of stress to perform best at work. 

The key to stress management is to determine the right amount of stress that will give you energy, ambition, and enthusiasm, versus the wrong amount which can harm your health and well being. 

Positive stress is a motivator, challenging you to act in creative and resourceful ways. Here are the 3 Ways to Superbly Manage It. 
 
1. Manage stress for personal benefit.
Acknowledge that stress is good and make stress your friend. Based upon the body's natural fight or flight response, that burst of energy will enhance your performance at the right moment. A professional sports player is never totally relaxed before a big game. Use stress wisely to push yourself that little bit harder when it counts.

2. Know that there is no life without stress.
Stress is a part of life in both small and large amounts. It comes with all of life's daily hassles and irritations such as traffic jams, long lines in the stores, dealing with a demanding boss, and arguing with a spouse or disciplining your child. 

Stress also comes with crises and life changing events such as illness, marriage problems, financial difficulties, divorce or death. All these events force you to adjust, whether you are prepared or not.

3. Don't hesitate to get help when needed. 
If stress is not managed properly, the constant and cumulative impact of stressors, both small and large, adds up to a big impact. Don't hesitate to consider counseling. 

It's not a sign of weakness to get help, rather it's a sign of a desire for personal growth and an increased capacity to cope with life's circumstances.

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