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HOW TO GET RID OF STRESS: PLAY THE GAME OF LIFE.

"Which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do [his very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?"

— Luke 12:25-26

HERE ARE SOME simple ways to gear yourself up and be mentally, emotionally and physically fit to handle the game of life. And all that it metes out to you.

Eat, drink... and live well. Good nutritional habits that include eating a balanced diet, taking appropriate nutritional supplements, and limiting caffeine, sugar and fat intake is stage one in the war you wage against stress - rather, step one towards a life sans stress.

Unwind... relax. There are numerous relaxation techniques. Deep breathing exercises, pranayama, yoga, meditation, alternative schools of healing such as Reiki, Pranic healing, Tai chi, aromatherapy and more. Scout around for one that suits your temperament and purse. You can relax right at home if you apply your mind to it. Some good music, a method of creative expression, your feet up or soaking in warm sudsy water, a good book...

The body that is not tense receives everything in the right way. The good, the bad and the unpleasant... nothing can upset its balance.

Walk. Walk away your disturbances. Get away from your misery, mood and mania. Walking keeps you fit to handle physical overloads, and calm to tackle the mental short circuits too. It's simple, it's easy, it's inexpensive.

Get active. Don't be a couch potato glued to the TV all day. Move around even if you are home. Find something interesting to do that involves physical effort. Clean, dust, reorganise. Get involved in social projects, community projects and good causes.

Keep the mind and body agile.

Be a sport. Play a game. At the club with the cronies. At home with your kids. The game doesn't need a name or suitable gear. Just sweat it out while you have fun bonding with friends and family. Feel the body let go of the 'knots' and 'crosses' of daily stress.

Cling on . Feeling low? Hold on. Lean. Share. There is no need for the ego to stand in your way. Choose a confidante carefully and share your feelings and fears. Your confidante could be a friend, family or an anonymous helpline.

Have your say. Express yourself clearly. Never bottle up feelings. Choose an appropriate moment and a sympathetic ear. Communicate. By the same token, be there for others. Listen, when people talk. Whether it is about you or about them. Verbal give-and-take is a great way to unwind.

Put your foot down. Speak up for yourself when you are right. Learn to say no when you feel you should. Don't try to please everyone while tying yourself up in knots. Remember, the only knot that made history was the Gordian knot.. .and it's yet to be unravelled.

Simplify your life by accepting only what you can or want to do. Be assertive. Give constructive criticism, refuse unrealistic requests.

Go fiscal... enjoy your money. Neither hoard nor splurge. Be balanced and plan money matters so that they do not become an obsession. When you have money to spend on needs and some saved for the unexpected rainy day, it doesn't take over your life and run it.

Nor does it terrorise you by night and day. Determine your needs and find the means to earn the necessary amount.

Keep time. Manage time right. Plan your day. Plan the next hour. It doesn't require paperwork. Mentally organise your program. Put down on paper the more demanding schedules. Be punctual. Honour commitments and appointments. There is no need to rush through your day if it is loaded just right. And none but you know your load limits. Get up an hour earlier. You gain personal time and space to reorient yourself and take on life... cheerfully and calmly.

Act … don't react. Establish your priorities, take action on plans and goals. Set limits and stick to them. Schedule effectively and avoid procrastination. Pace your efforts. Space them too. When you are in control, you will act. Not react.

Resolve... don't dissolve into despair. There are very few problems in this world that have absolutely no solution. Approach problems logically. Obtain information. Never assume that you are equipped to handle everything that comes your way. Seek help and accept it with grace. Find workable solutions by considering alternatives. Look for the potential consequences of every action and evaluate them. Think out of the box, as they say. Solutions will surface.

Challenge yourself. Your thought patterns may be your undoing. Consciously monitor your thoughts - distinguish the negative from the positive. Assess yourself honestly. Do you tend to have more negative thought patterns? Put your problems in perspective and think again. Challenge your attitude. Change your attitude.

Rock ... the foundation. Many beliefs that are rigid and time worn are stress inducing. Break away from them. Change them to those that are practical and functional for you, for the moment and the context.

I can be happy even if others do not approve of me." The world doesn't have to meet my wishes all the time." I don't have to be perfect to be worthwhile."

Make these your mantras of the moment.

Roll... with laughter. Learn, yes ...learn to laugh. At life, at yourself, at situations, at the small little things that happen along the way. Laughter is medicine. .

"The arrival of a good clown exercises a more beneficial influence upon the heath of a town than the arrival of twenty asses laden with drugs."

— Thomas Sydenham seventeenth-century physician

Remember, man is the only one of the Creator's masterpieces that can laugh. Treasure that gift. Laughing with your friends over silly little things can refresh you and relieve you of life's frustrations.

Connect... with the Higher Consciousness.

Seek your truth. Look inward and find strength to handle everything. The joys, sorrows, trials and triumphs. Any emotion in extreme is stressful. See that enthusiasm doesn't topple you over, nor despair drown you. Remember...

"I am the cosmos.

I am limited only by my thoughts.

I have the power to create and annihilate.

Why then should I feel powerless before fate?

I am as free as the wind and the water and the birds.

Should I choose to imprison myself with my presumptions.

And so fettered, refuse to fly?"

— N.Kavassery

Do you believe these lines to be true?

If you do, you will never ever have to feel the blues.

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