Blessings in Disguise

This past week I've been ill with a sinus infection.  Usually this would be seen as a negative, especially since I had to stay home from work and go to the doctor, thereby missing the revenue I would have made had I worked.  However, the time to rest and recuperate my body was also useful in recuperating my mind, and I came back rested, refreshed and ready to work.  Work then becomes far less of a boring task to be checked off and more of a pleasant experience.

What I have learned: be grateful for trials, they are often blessings in disguise.

Stress: treating the symptoms

In my previous post, I talked about how "stress-ers" are the disease, and stress is just the symptom.
Sometimes you need to treat symptoms till you can cure the disease, so here are some ideas of how to do just that:

Cleaning (I find sweeping/ scrubbing something to work best)

In home spa (get candles or a scented plug in if you can't have candles and take a bubble bath. Pamper yourself with a new hair style or do your nails)

(Pinterest.com has ideas on hair)
Pop Balloons (This really does work, stepping on them works best.) or get yourself a balloon.  this always brightens my day

Spend time with friends

Accomplish something (the feeling of success is euphoric)

Listen to fun music

Look up and smile (just doing this action sends happiness chemicals into action)

Paint (wear a smock and get messy with it)

Take a nap

Do something inspiring

And I recommend prayer.  In each of these or any activities you do.  Prayer will make it so you get more out of the experience.

Ways to De-Stress

I am stressed a lot, so I decided to study the topic. I figured I would share what I have gathered so far:
1. It is okay to feel stress.

• A lot of times people get more stressed because they get worked up about feeling stressed.  Life isn't supposed to be peachy keen all the time.  Negative emotions are just as important as positive ones and should be accepted.  If you don't accept them, they are harder to let go of.
• Sometimes emotions are irrational, sometimes it's your body saying, I need pressure release.  It's okay to cry.  Crying is a natural tension release.

2. Figure out what things commonly "trigger" your stress.

• This could be anything from traffic to the weather to marital problems.  Once you have figured out what causes your stress you can deal with those problems head on.  (curing the illness vs. treating the symptoms)
• I've seen recommended that you keep a stress journal.  Write down what time you are stressed and what the situation is.  You may find commonalities.

3. Evaluate whether your stress can be dealt with or if it is beyond your control.

• If it can be dealt with, deal with it.  If it can't, pray and use the atonement to help you let it go.  (I recently learned that there is a difference between saying prayers and praying.  The sincerity and the honesty is different, and the results are different)

4. Don't let it take over.

• If stress is impeding your work, schedule a time to think about it.  Write down the things that pop up and say I will think about this at 5:00 p.m. or whatever time works.  Then concentrate on something else (Kind of check it off your list, it's an appointment that has been rescheduled)

Diet and exercise also contribute to stress.  If stress is a reoccurring issue, look at what you eat and if your body is getting worked up just by living.