Beat Stress

This is another article I extract from the Popular newsletter written by Cadence Loh. I have rephrase and summarised some points.

Stress Management
Stress is part and parcel of our life, if it is preventing us from enjoying life, it is time to take action to get back our lives back in order.

1. Identity the origins of your stress. Is the stress from external or internal factors? Let go of matters beyond your control and take charge of others within your control.

2.Understand yourself. Analyse your stress and frustrations. Know what affects you and
try to avoid them.

3. Make plans in face of the worst case scenario. Worrying will get you nowhere. When worrying is pulling you down, think of the worst case scenario and make plans to face it. In this way, before something bad can happen, you are already prepared for it.

4. Prioritise. Fix that nagging thought that has been bugging you the hole day. It can be a bulb that blew or leaking tap causing you inconvenience, get it done immediately. Deal with urgent matters that affect your day- to - day living immediately so that you can focus on other important areas in your life.

5. Share the responsibilities.

6. Declutter your home, work area and life. By clearing out the unnecessary, be it physical objects or mental blocks, you will lessen your burden and feel an increased sense of order.

7. Say “No”. There is limited time for the so many things that we want to do in our lives. Identify the important things and place them on priority. The ability to say “No” can leave you with more time.

8. Set aside some time for yourself. Do not stretch yourself too thin by taking too many responsibilities on yourself. Take time for a beauty routine, watch a movie or read a book.

9. Have a strong support network. A problem shared is a problem halved. With a strong support network, you will not feel so lonely.

10. Think +ve. Take +ve action. Look at situations from +ve viewpt. Eliminate excuses from your life and do not waste time complaining wen the time can be better used for solving problems.

11. Pace yourself. Slow down. Do not be a perfectionist. Relax your stds.

12. Make plans. Set reasonable goals. Stick to them! But yet be flexible.

13. Cry. The body's most natural way oto relive tension and stress.

14. Laugh. Look at the funny side in every situation.

15. Do something you enjoy. Take time to do things you enjoy. It cld be indulging in your fav. hobby or catching up with family and friends.

16. Take a vacation. Know when to work hard and when to play hard. Relax and make fond memories.

17. Have healthy lifestyle choices. Exercise and eat well.

Making Lasting Memories

For today's post I will be extracting some fantastic tips I got from an article written by Cadence Loh which I read in the Popular magazine.

Failing memory?
Poorer concentration?

Tip 1: Keep learning something new. 
* Be curious and aware. Explore and travel around. The brain gets better the more you use it. Never be afraid of tiring out the brain!


Tip 2: Develop good sleeping habits.
* Sleep is necessary for memory consolidation.Insomnia leaves you tired and unable to concentrate during the day.

Tip 3: Be physically active.
* Regular exercises increases oxygen to the brain and reduce the risk of disorders leading to memory loss  , diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.


Tip 4: Read. 
* A book or magazine opens up a new world. Constantly challenge the mind and widen your perspective with reading material of different genres and listen to different opinions.


Tip 5: Make time for yourself. 
*  In Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats: "We try to do too much at once. Emotions, information, logic, hope and creativity all crowd in on us." By clearing our mind of clutter, the mind will connect all the information together.

Tip 6: Maintaining close relationships. 
* Having an active social life helps to manage stress level. Network of support will help keep the mind sane.

Tip 7: Be a mentor.
* Teach something you are passionate about. 

Brain Exercises--- To be a daily habit.

Point 1: Do things differently. Walk a different route, try a new food, go to a new place, speak a different language and meet new people.

Point 2: Use your non- dominant hand in daily activities.

Point 3: Read aloud. Do simple calculations, put your thoughts on paper. According to Dr. Kawashima's research as stated in Train Your Brain, "reading aloud, solving simple calculations, and writing activate the brain most effectively... simple calculations activate the brain more effectively than nay other activity."

Point 4:   Brain workouts like Sudoku and crossword puzzles. Xbox and Playstation games help in sharpening hand- eye coordination and challenge yourself when you try to complete the game in record time.

Back for now...

Wow... I'm back for the moment. It has been like a year since my last post.
I shall start off with my favourite topic, food.
Stress is a part and parcel of life but we can combat it will delicious stuff.
Below are some tasty food that are great stress relievers:

Almonds
Pistachios
Walnuts
Avocadoes
Skimmed milk
Oatmeal
Oranges
Salmon
Spinach

I like almonds, oranges and salmon. :)