Stress Management

At our Moms Meeting this week, Heidi Solomon addressed us on the topic of Stress Management.  Here are some notes from the session along with her handout below.

For handling stress:


1) My first step is to decide if this is a problem with a solution ... or a problem without a solution
A. If this is a problem with a solution -- then I mentally relieve myself of stress by knowing that in time -- we will reach the solution

B. Many of us face very challenging problems (be they medical issues, financial struggles, emotional challenges) ... and these problems have no established solution -- I try to reduce my stress in these situations by being very mindful of the saying from Pirket Avot "We are responsible for our input -- but we are not responsible for the outcome" This way I can do my best on the input -- and try to mentally relieve myself of the stress of the outcome.

2) Recognize the minimum required to sustain, and rejuvenate --- it may be getting a hot shower once a day. We each know what is realistic time wise ... and financially ... do what is realistic


3) Two ways to relax in just a minute
A. Nasal breathing -- in one nostril and out the other -- three times on each side -- this brings extra oxygen to the brain and can bring relaxation to the body in less than a minute
B. Think of a calm picture -- Think about a scene that makes you feel calm (beach, rainbow, etc) Take twenty seconds to concentrate on that scene -- the visual, auditory, olefactory, etc elements of the scene -- it is a just a little mental vacation

You can only do so much so think about what your priorities are and take care of those things.