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thePeorian.com
Slow down…
take a deep
breath. Really try to notice your
breathing and feel the air move
in and out of your lungs. Look
at your surroundings and notice
the beauty around you. Smell the
freshness of the cool air and listen
to the sounds of peacefulness. We
are in control of enjoying each
moment of our lives.
Don’t procrastinate.
Putting things off usually adds
to your anxiety and stress levels.
Why wait until the eve of April
15th to look at your tax receipts?
Lower your stress level by plan-
ning ahead.
Don’t feel guilty.
Stress
researcher Robert Eliot states,
“Guilt is the most wasteful of hu-
man emotions.” Learn to focus on
the positives and your successes.
Watch for self-defeating behav-
iors that create negative self-talk
and lower self-esteem.
Let go of grudges.
Research has shown that holding
a grudge can create a horror story
in your mind that is larger than
the actual event. Make an effort
to minimize your pain. Reach out
and make amends, or perhaps
create a ritual to “let go” of the
situations or people you hold a
grudge about and look for new
options.
Follow your dreams.
Look at your life priorities and
start to make changes. Create
a list of your dreams and start
compiling a list of ways you can
make them come true.
Pick your battles
carefully
. Learn what you
have control over and what you
can’t control. Let go of the things
you can’t control or change. Look
for small actions you can take to
create a better life.
Don’t equate work
with worth. Many of us have
become walking resumes! What
really matters is who we are
inside instead of what we do
or how much money we have
accumulated. Remember our
worth is in our hearts, not in our
pocketbooks!
Joy Erlichman Miller, Ph.D., is an
internationally known licensed
psychotherapist, professional trainer
and author. Miller is the founder and
director of Joy Miller & Associates
in Peoria. She is an Illinois state
Licensed Clinical Professional Coun-
selor as well as a Certified Master
Addictions Counselor. Additionally Dr.
Miller has been a part-time instructor
at Bradley University, and was a fac-
ulty member and mentor at Walden
University’s doctoral psychology
program.
Just how much do you know about
stress? Try this simple quiz and see
how much you know about stress.
True or false:
1. One of the best stress-busters is
watching a good comedy.
2. There is good stress as well as
bad stress.
3. Type A people (over-achieving,
time-pressured people) are at
greatest risk of dying of heart
disease and cancer.
4. Research has proven that cell
phones, fast food restaurants and
e-mail have made our lives more
efficient and less stressful.
Answers:
1. True. Laughter lowers our stress
levels and encourages the re-
lease of endorphins into our body.
2. True. Stress can be a motivator
for change and action.
3. True. Those who have not learned
to manage their stress and pres-
sure are at the highest risk of
disease.
4. False. Actually these “conve-
niences” have raised our stress
levels, pushing us to do more in a
shorter period of time.