Dealing with stress

Simple every day ways to tackle stress and reduce anxiety so that you can live your best life

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting things to change. Anon

Stress is inevitable, it’s unavoidable and while a certain amount of it is a good thing, chronic stress contributes to every physical and mental ailment in the world today.

There is no point in waiting for circumstances in order to de-stress, ie for COVID to be over, your boss to leave or this project to finish, as inevitably one stress will be replaced with another. And so instead we start today, make simple but consistent changes that support us to live our best lives.

Stress robs us of so many things like:

  • the ability to think clearly,
  • access to the logical part of the brain – creativity, innovation, planning
  • the energy to maintain healthy relationships,
  • a good nights sleep! And lots more

Stress does not contribute to our happiness in any way and while its ever present we need to learn how to deal with it. 

In this PDF I will share with you five simple ways for you to deal with stress so that you can meet the challenges in your life with poise, grace and ease. 

I have also included a mindfulness practice for you to use at home. If listened to regularly you will see your stress levels dramatically reduced.

Mindfulness meditation practice

  1. Sit upright in a chair . If possible, bring your back a little way from the rear of the chair so that your spine is self-supporting. Your feet can be flat on the floor. 
  2. You mind will most probably wander and if it does bring it back to your breath resisting any urge to criticise yourself. This is central to the practice of mindfulness.
  3. Press play and close your eyes or lower your gaze.
  4. Breathe and follow my guidance as best you can.
 
 

I recommend listening to this 4 to 5 times a week to reduce your stress levels.

If you’d like to access more of my mindfulness practices you can avail of the mindfulness online library: a comprehensive listing of simple, practical mindfulness meditations and teachings for every day.

Ellen Shilling

I have read, studied and practiced mindfulness for the past 15 years. During that time I have trained with some of the leading experts, gone on retreats all over the world and held some of my own.

I am passionate about mindfulness as I can honestly say that it has changed my life! I know that can sound very OTT at times and it wasn’t this sudden flash of light that came down and I was enlightened. Sitting lotus position, emanating love (wouldn’t that be wonderful!) No, it was over time and with patience and commitment I found that old behaviours that didn’t serve me well melted away, negative beliefs no longer held me captive and I wasn’t a victim of my emotions. Finally I could breathe and access a peace within I had never felt before and has stayed with me since.