Calm Yourself
When everything in your life is going from bad to complete insanity, the best thing you can and should do after the fallout, is calm yourself. Do you know how many business people go crazy, have health problems or even die each year from being too stressed out? Statistics have shown over 50% will at sometime in their business life develop poor health, heart disease or some other life threatening illness due to living a stressful existence. I think if you at least do something to alleviate what bothers you, you’ll have a greater chance to experience a long life with your loved ones.
Learn ways to calm yourself and watch the stress and mental annoyances disappear. At least for a while. How do you calm yourself? Everyone has their own idea about what to do but few actually do it.
Here are a few ideas I think might help you keep calm when things go from bad to, “Just shoot me. Please!”
Go fishing. I don’t mean in a lake or ocean full of drunks and sharks, but a nice little creek, river or pond will do the trick. A peaceful setting with a hook, line and sinker does wonders for that tired old mind of yours. Before the big drought in ’98 I had a nice pond in front of our house filled with catfish. When I gad a long miserable day I would go out there with just me and my pole and catch a few. Funny thing was I would actually talk to the fish. Once I caught them I would throw them back for another day. Fishing is good.
Get a Massage. You know, the G-rated kind. I’ve had ‘em done and I’m good for few days. I feel revitalized and the relaxation is good for a mind that is always racing towards a deadly cliff. A soothing, muscle gouging massage feels so good you can’t help but get your mind off of everything that drives you mad.
Talk to and Listen to Children. A visit from my nephews will change my attitude about problems in life, real quick. I’m too busy having fun with them to think about the days BS. Talk with them. Ask your kids, nieces and nephews what they think and their views on life. Ask simple open-ended questions. They have an amazing perspective on the world and everything around them. Their reactions and facial expressions will help you see life from an innocent and often funny point of view.
Children, unknowingly, have the natural ability to teach us a few things about life. Their ideals will help you remember what you were like as a child too. As adults we are so wrapped up in selfish activities and strife, just looking at the world through the eyes of kids may just give you a whole new perspective. No matter how hard it is, there are always new lives anxiously going forward.
Write your own Story. If you really want to get an understanding of where you’ve been, where you’re at and where you’re going, write a story about your own life. It doesn’t have to be a 100-page novel just some of the best and worst points in your own history that made a difference. Sit down and type away. It can be a difficult undertaking if you try for perfection. Don’t! Write whatever comes from your head to your hands. Don’t worry about spelling or grammar just roll out the words and once you do 10-15 pages you’ll discover something in yourself that wasn’t there before; a little piece of history that might change your future.
Doodle. Yes doodle! I’m not talking about what you do while speaking on the phone. Doodle while you are in a more conscious state for creativity and brain power. Let the hand dance and the ink flow without any concern for artistic value. Doodling is not art, it is the mind gone crazy on paper. When I’m thinking or need to lay down some thoughts, I doodle and scribble. The idea is to keep the flow going and let your imagination run wild.
Modeling. Not posing. When I was a boy, I put model cars together. As I did this, my thoughts and dreams were on what I was doing and the real cars I would someday own. The cars I built became real in my mind. Assembling models is a great way to take your mind off business and on something fun to look at when you are done. I still build them. Right now I have the Big ’32 Ford Hot Rod 1:8 scale kit I’m working on. It’s fun and gives me something to do especially when we get one of those rare nasty winters here in Texas. Try it, you might like what you create.
Watch old Movies. If you want to get your mind off the bogus car chases, personality disorders, unreal reality, and media mayhem, watch old movies from the 1930′s, 40′s and 50′s. I like John Wayne, Laurel & Hardy, Abbot & Costello, Bogart, Cary Grant, William Powell, Myrna Loy, and all the private eye stuff with Robert Mitchum. Detective noir are personal favs.
Good thing about old shows; at least you can enjoy with your kids and not worry so much about the next naked scene. Even though there’s excitement and adventure, you don’t get all the stress associated with most of today’s genre. There are plenty of titles at the video shops, bookstores, Amazon, Netflix and others. They have box sets of old movies, radio programs and TV shows from the early days of entertainment are very relaxing, stress busters and help us remember when life was somewhat simpler. I feel a sense of contentment when I see how the characters are built into the theme and story lines without crash and burn technology melting my mind.
Cartoons. Okay I confess, I’m a Tom and Jerry fanatic. Everyday I have my media payer tuned in to ol’ Tom tormenting lil’ Jerry. I love Looney Tunes and Merry Melodies too. The cartoons on TV today are commercials selling kids something they don’t need. Modern cartoons have their own product lines, movies and a cult following by victims who can’t read or even speak yet! It’s diabolical! When my nephews come over they watch Dora and Sponge Bob which are ok, but when I put on Tom & Jerry they seem to develop a “quiet” behavior. Try watching the good old toons and get lost in an un-real world.
Porch Swing. I’ve been swinging for over 30 years now and can testify they are great for mental therapy. In every home we’ve lived in, I always made sure a porch swing was swingin’. Even when we didn’t have a porch I hung one on a strong tree limb. You will find that the old country style porch swing will do wonders for what rubs you the wrong way. Where we live now there have been three porch swings worn out in 15 years. My wife mentioned about all the discussions we’ve had on those swings, some good and some not. They have a psychological quality the helps your mind release frustrations and enjoy what life is meant to be. For me Porch Swings have been a great source of deep thinking and inspiration. Go to a home improvement center and buy a nice sturdy porch swing. Hang it from the porch, an “A” frame or a strong tree and swing your worries away.
Go to a Bookstore. Yes, I know everyone is on eBook readers but the old hand connection with paper still feels pretty good. Ever just go to a bookstore and hang out? You can calm yourself by just sitting and reading a book or a magazine. Few business people ever do that. It can be a nice change of pace and you might find something inspirational to read. I like to check out new business, art, writing and car books. I know you can shop online but there is something about feeling a real book in your hands that tends to melt away the crap. Take an interest in topics outside your normal thinking arena. Look at what the rest of the world is reading, grab a cup of java and sit back for a good reeeelax.
Watch the Sky. Watching the sun rise and set is a very humbling experience. Watching the sun set or rise will give you a whole new appreciation for life. I like to sit on my deck sipping a cup of coffee as the sun rises. The sky turns from mysterious black to a vivid blue while the clouds float above towards greatness. It has a positive effect on my outlook for the day. Even though our summers reach above 100 degrees for several months here in central Texas, watching the sun set in the evening gives you a sense of accomplishment. And an appreciation for life. Think about this when everything looks gloomy; at least at the end of the day you are still alive to see that big orange ball tell you we are still working on life and do not worry, I’ll be back with you in the morning.
Looking up at the moon when the stars are glimmering has its benefits too. At night sit in the yard or on top of your house and just stare at that big white ball. When I gaze at the moon my mind drifts off into science fiction wondering what it would be like to live there or explore the surface. Just staring at it livens up your sense with a world of imagination and at the same time calms the nerves. No sun or moon? Rainy, cloudy or snowing? Last time it rained here (that long ago, huh?) I was out there sitting in it. Felt good too. Want to feel like a kid again? Next time it rains really hard go outside and play, sit or whatever and let nature wash off all that stress from your mind. Fun!.
Take a Nap. I knew a guy who owned a very busy auto shop. He also had the habit of taking a nap every day after lunch. He installed a small private room behind his office with a metal door. He took a short nap every day. Afterwards he was refreshed and ready to deal with irate customers. My advice to you – get some sleep. Lack of sleep deprives you of the natural capacity to excel and learn – to apply the right things faster, which can give you a competitive edge. Sleep helps you with memory functions, convey ideas, thinking, decisions and adjusting to unforeseen circumstances. Lack of rest can prevent you from focusing on what matters the most. A tired body is also more likely to affect your immune system, heart and can lead to other health problems that will ultimately screw up your plans. Take a nap and forget about it.
Trusted Advisor. Ever get the feeling everything going wrong rides on your shoulders? Would you like to toss it all and go off the deep end? I’ve been there many times and it is not a good place to visit. All business owners and CEO’s have feelings of loneliness, depression and nobody can comprehend what they go through to stay afloat. Is this you? A trusting confidential advisor could help you see the big picture. I’ve discovered in my life that just talking to someone and telling them how I feel is a good way to release the pressures of every day life. Having trouble getting your mind focused on what you really need to do? Hire a coach to boost your self-esteem, self-awareness and get your thought processes back on-line. A coach can help you focus on personal and business objectives while keeping you in line with what matters most. Tired of “yes” people and need an objective viewpoint for your ideas and strategies? Coaching can help if you want an honest appraisal of personal goals and business performance and vital issues affecting the bottom line. Hiring someone you tell confidential thoughts to is especially important in the client/advisor relationship. That relationship is the bridge to a calming effect and can help eradicate what keeps you up at night.
Meditate. It’s time to think about your miserable life and how to get your act together. Any time I’m feeling low and ready to blow my mind, I take a few minutes to close my eyes and think about better days ahead. It’s easy to do. Go to a quiet place, seated preferably, and lay your back in the chair, now close your eyes and picture something dear to you or some place you want to be. It could be a hillside, the beach, in the middle of Hollywood, it doesn’t matter where, just pick a place that makes you feel relaxed and in control. Now close your eyes and picture yourself there doing whatever it is you want. Make it easy and gentle. To be effective takes practice and be sure not to fall asleep during your meditations. Do this a few times daily and watch the fears and stress roll away.
Take this advice; No matter how bad things get, most of it is all in your head! – Mikey
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Posted by MikeyCee 
