“Stress is not what happens to us. It’s our response to what happens and response is something we can choose.” ~ Maureen Killoran

HAPPY NEW YEAR DARLINGS 🙂

A New Year means a new dawn. A new beginning. Are you coming into this glorious new year with old unnecessary baggage(stress)??? 

Believe it or not, we are almost always surrounded by stress. Be it work stress, relationship stress, self image stress, social stress….the list can be endless. Stress is unavoidable…it will be thrown at us at every nook and corner…BUT although we don’t have a choice at what is thrown at us…we have a choice as to how we allow it to effect us.

New year stress can be a very real thing. Its human tendency to reflect on the year gone by and think of all the things we achieved or didn’t achieve. I personally choose to focus on what I did achieve…that leads me to feel happy for the year that has gone by and makes me feel hopeful for the new year.

Over the years I’ve come to understand and manage stress positively and keep it as far away from me as possible. Here are the positive ways I use to keep stress at bay.

7 Positive Ways to keep Stress far, REALLY far away from you this New Year

1. Laugh MORE-

“Laughter is an instant vacation.”  ~Milton Berle

Who doesnt love a great belly laugh?? I know I do 🙂 Somehow a good laugh seems to ease the stress dramatically and instantly. The next time you are stressing try thinking of a funny joke, a funny event that happened recently, or just picture the person standing next to you in a clown outfit. Whatever tickles your funny bone. I personally love to simply visualize everyones head as a huge bright yellow sunflower. It gets me to smile everytime 🙂 Other ways are maybe saving a joke or a funny clip in your mobile phone for a quick giggle reference 🙂

2. Play MORE

“I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things… I play with leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind.” Leo F. Buscaglia

I love love love games. Computer games, board games, who stole the cookie games with kids, running around the tress, catching butterflies, playing with the cat who passes my way….Why? Cause they help me unwind quickly. Usually in a stressful situation, I look around me and most often find something to play with. It might be a child, it might be a pet, it might be the magazine in your hand. Anything can lead to play, if you want it to. And if you still cant think of anything to play with around you then, take out your mobile phone and play a game in it. Simple play Instant Smiles 🙂

3. Choc MORE

“Researchers have discovered that chocolate produces some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researchers also discovered other similarities between the two but can’t remember what they are.” Matt LauerAlright

I have to admit, I always always carry a bar of dark chocolate around in my handbag. Its my instant fix to all things negative. Its my magic wonder feel good drug. I don’t use it often, but I like the idea of knowing that this magic wonder is in my reach anytime, just waiting to diffuse me of all things bad and negative. Next time you are freaking out, pop in a piece and melt that stress away. Oh and don’t forget to wipe your hands and mouth after 😉

4. Dream MORE

“Practical people would be more practical if they would take a little more time for dreaming.”

I’m a dreamer. I dream of rainbows and butterflies, of world peace and happiness. I dream of my biggest dreams with eyes wide open. It brings that dream to reality. Whenever I am upset or stressed, I almost always think of my big big dreams with such vivid colors and perfect detail, I can actually feel the bliss of it coming true. Right there in that moment, all my stress vanishes. Try it. Its your very own personal Dream Dvd 🙂

5. Hug MORE

“I will not play tug o’ war. I’d rather play hug o’ war. Where everyone hugs instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles and rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, and everyone grins, and everyone cuddles, and everyone wins.” Shel Silverstein

Nothing and I mean nothing can make me feel as good as a hug can. Isn’t it awesome that the one giving the hug and the one receiving the hug both love it. Its an instant feel good booster. Its possible that you don’t have any friends around you can hug, or any family when you are standing in line or in traffic or waiting to get into a major meeting…thats OK, hug yourself! Just wrap your arm around and squeeze. Try it right now….It works wonders 🙂

6. Love Yourself MORE

“Do not wish to be any­thing but what you are, and try to be that per­fectly.”~ St. Fran­cis De Sales

Loving yourself is at the very core of healing, joy, self-empowerment, and your ability to create and enjoy the kind of life you want. You cannot enjoy happiness if you are not at peace with yourself. Your relationship with yourself is the most important one you’ll ever have. Love yourself so much: warts, moles, curvers, crooked theeth, beautiful heart and all. Self love begins with self acceptance and making peace with your past. Affirm to yourself everyday “Today I will love myself more than yesterday. Today I am complete and whole.”

7. Kick Tolerations MORE

“Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too.” ~Voltaire

Tolerations are situations, people and surroundings you put up with that drain your positive energy physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. They might include crossed boundaries, unfinished projects, others’ bad behaviour, frustrations, unwanted/unnecessary commitments, clutter, messy surroundings, broken items, being over weight, weeds in the garden and debt. Make a list five such tolerations that drive you up the wall about your job, life, health and home and then devise a plan to get rid of the first ‘intolerable’ toleration on your list this week. Notice how this makes you feel, how it lifts a weight off your shoulders. Now think about how much better you will feel when you get rid of the other four tolerations on your list! When you’ve completed the elimination of the first five tolerations you’ve listed, start a new one and keep working until you have zero tolerations in your life.

Start this new year by keeping stress as far away from you as possible. Its a decision you will thank yourself for taking in the very near future…when you are calmer and happier.

What about you? How will you stress less in this New year? Have any de-stress tips of your own to share? Please Share your wisdom in the comments below. I would love to learn from you.

Please note: The new year counseling sessions giveaway is officially over now. The 5 lovely souls who I have chosen for the giveaway will be emailed today! Thank you for your amazing response to this giveaway 🙂 My inbox is overflowing with your love.

Thank you SO much for being here today! If you’re new here, please subscribe for free updates by email(with Positive Happiness Goodies). And, if this article touched your heart, please take a moment to share it on your favorite social networks. Every share, like or tweet makes me reach more people who need a positive healing nudge in their lives. I appreciate you!

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With Immense Love & Gratitude,
~Zeenat~

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