Many of us are finding ourselves in the midst of having too much to do, and having too much stress to deal with. We need to make a call, take care of a bill, run to the store for this, and run to another store for that, check our email, order something online, make dinner, take care of work stuff, take care of the house, the kids and the dog. But we never make time for ourselves. We get overwhelmed, which can lead to even more stress than we are already dealing with, sleep troubles and health issues. We may even start to experience a strain in our relationships as we struggle to get our own lives back under control!

Where a great life coach or counselor can’t be replaced, there are a few simple techniques that can calm us and help us get through any storm.

Breathe.
Yes, seriously, breathe! Breathe in through your nose to a count of four, hold for a count of four, and gently exhale through your mouth to a count of four. As a holistic healer I have found that the majority of my clients are such shallow breathers, it’s a wonder they don’t faint right on the spot! Breathing deeply causes your body to relax. When we can relax and get centered it is so much easier to deal with what is going on around us. Try it right now!

Be Thankful
Being thankful does for our spirit what breathing deeply does for our body. When we can be thankful for something it fills us with appreciation, which in turn reduces our stress. Name ten things you are happy and thankful for right now. If you can, say them out loud. I like to write ten things I’m thankful for in my journal too!

Cut Back on Caffeine
I know, I know, no one wants to hear this one. The thought of giving up your morning coffee may be just a little too much to think about, and just add to your stress. But did you know that caffeine can actually dehydrate you? I still enjoy my morning coffee (decaf) but I gave up my afternoon soda!

Drink Plenty of Water
Along with giving up soda, I drink plenty of water! When we are hydrated we feel better. In fact, I noticed that once I gave up soda and increased my intake of water my headaches all but disappeared and my skin took on a radiant glow!

Connect with a Friend
Go out to lunch or go to a movie with a friend. A good friend can be a Godsend when we are overwhelmed.

Speak from your Heart
Make sure your lines of communication are open! Have emotional integrity and speak the truth (with love) if you are having a problem with someone you are close to. Don’t expect them to be psychic and just know what’s bothering you.

Go for a Walk
Walking clears our head. And, if we can walk with a friend, that’s even better!

Cut Back
This may be more difficult than giving up that extra caffeine, but honestly, sometimes we are just doing too much. We need to either delegate or let something go. I notice that when I get sick it’s generally because I’m doing too much. I get all stressed out about not getting everything done, get sick and nothing gets done, and then I discover that the world does not come to an end because I didn’t accomplish everything on my To-Do list! Your world won’t either. Pick something and let it go!

“One of the most important things I’ve learned is that satisfactory and even extraordinary results are always within reach if we can access real composure in the midst of activity, right in the center of our busy and stressful life.” Marc Lesser, author of Less – Accomplishing More by Doing Less

We give a lot to the world everyday. So when we let ourselves become overwhelmed and run down, we are in essence depleting our own well. It’s important for us to be able to take care of ourselves and replenish our well before we try to move out into the world and take care of others. The stressful situations will always be there. Thankfully, our ability to handle them with grace and composure is in our own hands!