ended your stress muscles, you need to find ways to reduce or manage your stress. Why? Because unrelieved stress can lead to serious illness.

Ten Simple Stress Busters
1. “M” Word – A grande instead of a vente, one glass of wine instead of two, ask for a doggie bag, take a walk instead of a run and “do you really need the sweater in every color? Practice moderation.
2. Take Recess –Take a minute to connect to you – where are you feeling your stress? Does your neck feel a kin

I often joke that if stress were a dress…I’d wear a size 2! As a little girl, I was afraid of everything: moving escalators, the sound of a train…the first day of school. I interpreted the ever-changing environment as chaos. Momma worried about my coping skills. It’s ironic that as an adult I thrive in the world of professional speaking, considering that for many, “public speaking” is fear #1. How can an ultra-sensitive gal survive in a sometimes overwhelming world? I stress for success!

Stress! One size does not fit all!
It’s important to understand that stress is the ‘deterioration’ our bodies experience as we adjust to our ever changing environment. It’s also helpful to be aware of our individual stress tolerance. My Dad couldn’t wait to retire, while my Momma dreaded it.

Stress comes in all shapes and sizes. My best friend (the mother of 9 year old triplet boys) thrives on lots of action and change. For her, a relaxing vacation is a stay at a tennis camp to focus on her tennis game and choosing a paint color for her living room wall is stressful. For me, a tennis camp would be a stress nightmare, while for me, choosing a color and painting a wall is a way I recharge and renew.

Signs of Stress
We know that in certain amounts, stress can add depth and enrichment to our lives. The goal is not to eliminate stress. Insufficient stress can lead to a depressed feeling and excessive stress can leave us feeling “high strung.” If we become aware and understand our stress triggers, we can either change the sources of stress (not always realistic) or improve our ability to manage stressors.

The signs of stress can take place in your mind (confusion, poor judgment, inability to concentrate), body, (stiff neck, back pain, shortness of breath, headache) emotions (resentment, anxiety, oversensitivity) and actions (laugh or cry at inappropriate times, isolation, grinding teeth) Stress symptoms are wide and varied. Pay Attention! If you have over-extended your stress muscles, you need to find ways to reduce or manage your stress. Why? Because unrelieved stress can lead to serious illness.

Ten Simple Stress Busters
1. “M” Word – A grande instead of a vente, one glass of wine instead of two, ask for a doggie bag, take a walk instead of a run and “do you really need the sweater in every color? Practice moderation.
2. Take Recess –Take a minute to connect to you – where are you feeling your stress? Does your neck feel a kink

Stress! One size does not fit all!
It’s important to understand that stress is the ‘deterioration’ our bodies experience as we adjust to our ever changing environment. It’s also helpful to be aware of our individual stress tolerance. My Dad couldn’t wait to retire, while my Momma dreaded it.

Stress comes in all shapes and sizes. My best friend (the mother of 9 year old triplet boys) thrives on lots of action and change. For her, a relaxing vacation is a stay at a tennis camp to focus on her tennis game and choosing a paint color for her living room wall is stressful. For me, a tennis camp would be a stress nightmare, while for me, choosing a color and painting a wall is a way I recharge and renew.

Signs of Stress
We know that in certain amounts, stress can add depth and enrichment to our lives. The goal is not to eliminate stress. Insufficient stress can lead to a depressed feeling and excessive stress can leave us feeling “high strung.” If we become aware and understand our stress triggers, we can either change the sources of stress (not always realistic) or improve our ability to manage stressors.

The signs of stress can take place in your mind (confusion, poor judgment, inability to concentrate), body, (stiff neck, back pain, shortness of breath, headache) emotions (resentment, anxiety, oversensitivity) and actions (laugh or cry at inappropriate times, isolation, grinding teeth) Stress symptoms are wide and varied. Pay Attention! If you have over-extended your stress muscles, you need to find ways to reduce or manage your stress. Why? Because unrelieved stress can lead to serious illness.

Ten Simple Stress Busters
1. “M” Word – A grande instead of a vente, one glass of wine instead of two, ask for a doggie bag, take a walk instead of a run and “do you really need the sweater in every color? Practice moderation.
2. Take Recess –Take a minute to connect to you – where are you feeling your stress? Does your neck feel a kin

on her tennis game and choosing a paint color for her living room wall is stressful. For me, a tennis camp would be a stress nightmare, while for me, choosing a color and painting a wall is a way I recharge and renew.

Signs of Stress
We know that in certain amounts, stress can add depth and enrichment to our lives. The goal is not to eliminate stress. Insufficient stress can lead to a depressed feeling and excessive stress can leave us feeling “high strung.” If we become aware and understand our stress triggers, we can either change the sources of stress (not always realistic) or improve our ability to manage stressors.

The signs of stress can take place in your mind (confusion, poor judgment, inability to concentrate), body, (stiff neck, back pain, shortness of breath, headache) emotions (resentment, anxiety, oversensitivity) and actions (laugh or cry at inappropriate times, isolation, grinding teeth) Stress symptoms are wide and varied. Pay Attention! If you have over-extended your stress muscles, you need to find ways to reduce or manage your stress. Why? Because unrelieved stress can lead to serious illness.

Ten Simple Stress Busters
1. “M” Word – A grande instead of a vente, one glass of wine instead of two, ask for a doggie bag, take a walk instead of a run and “do you really need the sweater in every color? Practice moderation.
2. Take Recess –Take a minute to connect to you – where are you feeling your stress? Does your neck feel a kin

stand our stress triggers, we can either change the sources of stress (not always realistic) or improve our ability to manage stressors.

The signs of stress can take place in your mind (confusion, poor judgment, inability to concentrate), body, (stiff neck, back pain, shortness of breath, headache) emotions (resentment, anxiety, oversensitivity) and actions (laugh or cry at inappropriate times, isolation, grinding teeth) Stress symptoms are wide and varied. Pay Attention! If you have over-extended your stress muscles, you need to find ways to reduce or manage your stress. Why? Because unrelieved stress can lead to serious illness.

Ten Simple Stress Busters
1. “M” Word – A grande instead of a vente, one glass of wine instead of two, ask for a doggie bag, take a walk instead of a run and “do you really need the sweater in every color? Practice moderation.
2. Take Recess –Take a minute to connect to you – where are you feeling your stress? Does your neck feel a kin

ended your stress muscles, you need to find ways to reduce or manage your stress. Why? Because unrelieved stress can lead to serious illness.

Ten Simple Stress Busters
1. “M” Word – A grande instead of a vente, one glass of wine instead of two, ask for a doggie bag, take a walk instead of a run and “do you really need the sweater in every color? Practice moderation.
2. Take Recess –Take a minute to connect to you – where are you feeling your stress? Does your neck feel a kink? Do your ankles feel stiff? Take a recess – and pay attention to where you are feeling stress in your body, take care of it and feel instant relief.
3. Conscious Breathing - Lie down on a flat surface, place your hand on your belly, just above your navel, breathe in through your nose and feel your belly slightly rise and exhale fully and deeply allowing your belly to drop back down. Deep breathing helps to flush out the lymphatic system. Poor lymph drainage causes fatigue, weight gain, high blood pressure, muscle loss, inflammation and host of other symptoms. .
4. Light Side – Watch a funny movie, spend time with light-hearted friends, and play with a child to bring out your inner child. Look for ways to lighten up by finding the funny in life.
5. No More Ms. Nice Girl – Practice saying “No” … or saying “Let me think about it.” You are not doing yourself a favor by always doing favors for others.
6. Switch Gears - Do a productive, controllable task: clean the bathroom, water the plants, make the bed or balance your checkbook. Handling your money may feel like stress but knowing the bottom-line (whatever it is) is empowering.
7. Move It – Take a walk around the block…scoot your chair away from your desk, palms down, flat on the desk and let your head and shoulders hang through your arm. Breathe! Physical movement whether it’s a brisk walk or a simple stretch can release tension and stress.
8. Buddy Break – Call a friend to vent stress. Just talking helps to release stress and gives you the perspective to let things go.
9. Sleep on It – Take a warm soothing bath, read a soul nurturing book and get a good night’s sleep to restore balance; mind, body and spirit.
10. Forget Perfect – What’s good about you and your life? Perfection is an illusion and no one “has the ball game.” You will feel less stressed if you focus on what’s good, instead of what you need to change.

“Stress for success!” Fill your closet with an array of s