How Well Do You Manage Stress?

Remember when you were a kid and summertime was soooooo much fun?  Basically, your job was to play, play and add in more play.   And chase the ice cream truck.  Ahhhh, how does it get easier than that?!

(Below is a quiz for you to assess how close you are to the carefree delights of summers when you were 7 years old~ good luck!)

Do you feel that this summer’s biggest challenge is chasing the ice cream truck?  Or are there bigger worries and stressors in your life? 

My current favorite stress relief is yoga and chocolate covered caramel 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

Below is a list of true and false questions to help assess the level of stress in your life.  You won’t be scored at the end (phew- that’s a stress relief!).  I bet you will be surprised with what you find out!

 
T /F   1. I set the pace for the day by beginning with peaceful thinking either through reading an inspiring passage, meditating, asking generative questions or acknowledging the gift of a fresh, new day.
 
T /F   2. Throughout the day I live in the moment. I don’t brood about a past event or fret about the future.
 
T /F   3. Each day I do something physical even if it’s just a walk around the block or a 20-minute workout.
 
T /F   4. I eat healthfully and take the time to enjoy my meals. I set aside work, driving and other activities while I eat. No multi-tasking.
 
T /F   5. I think positively. I view problems as challenges and obstacles as opportunities.
 
T /F   6. I can say no when I need to.  If things start piling up, I make sure I know what my own limit is. There is no reason to add on unnecessary stress.(let me know if you are good at this one!)
 
T /F    7. I leave open time in my day for doing something spontaneous. Or doing nothing.
 
T /F   8. When I sense tension in my body, I notice it and relax.  I may ask, “who does this belong to?” and I remember to breathe.
 
T /F   9. My daily “to-do” list contains only what can be accomplished in a day—even if it’s only part of a larger project.
 
T /F   10. I don’t make constant demands on myself to have the “-est” of anything (cleanest house, finest yard, best meals).
 
T /F   11. Throughout the day, I create peaceful images in my mind where I can retreat for a moment to rest and refill. A sunlit beach, a shady forest, a quiet stream.
 
T /F   12. When I am aware of feelings of anger, irritability, cynicism beginning to build, I ask, “Is this mine?” and replace them with thoughts of peace, hope, patience, joy.
 
T /F   13. I use my time and energy to make changes where I can and accept the things I cannot change.
 
T /F   14. When I am able, I plan events that I know will cause stress (moving, giving a party, buying a new car) around times when less is going on (a quiet time at work, no pressing deadlines, no holidays in sight, etc.).
 
T /F   15. I plan time off regularly. One day a month, just for me. A weekend away. A long vacation.
 
T /F   16. I talk to my friends and family about what’s going on with me, and when I need to, I seek guidance, coaching or body work to help let things go.
Author’s content used under license, © 2008 Claire Communications

How did you do?!!

Is it time to go chase an ice cream truck and take down a nutty buddy?

Everyone needs time for themselves to really let go of all that stress build-up whether it be enjoying a couple glasses of wine with some friends or taking a long weekend away. Why not do something for yourself today?

Comment below and let me know, what your favorite ways to relieve stress are! 

enJOY,
Maureen McNamara