Hey folks, it’s me, Laura, and I’m stressed.

But aren’t we all?  It’s just part of life.  But that doesn’t mean I should ignore it. My body has been telling me that I’ve got to do something now to manage it.

The obvious idea came to me yesterday while I was having a particularly difficult moment with myself. I felt like there was something that I needed to be doing to get my brain back in balance with my body. The type A’er in me decided I needed to come up with some sort of plan. I’d map out my day, add scheduled activities, journal my process, clear the road to success! And I’d start it all tomorrow.

“Wait, that’s not right.”

I realized that I’m constantly trying to create routines for myself, tasks to follow, a gauge for my progress. More often then not, I fall short of my goals and feel guilty about my failures.  More stress! I’m don’t want to do that this time. I’m need to downsize my angst, not create more.

So then and there I put down what I was doing, set a timer for 15 minutes and closed my eyes. I was met with a lot of resistance at first. My mind wanted to wander, my body wasn’t relaxed. I thought about the timer and wondered where I was at. Then I remembered the breath. I started to count.

“1…in…2…out…3…in…4…out.”

Suddenly, without realizing it, I was at 23.

“Was I just meditating!?” I switched to a mantra.

“Ommmm….Ommmm…..”

My mind was beginning to get quiet.  My body softened and I shifted naturally into a half lotus pose. There was stillness. Then the timer went off.

“Fifteen minutes already? That was actually pretty quick.”

When I opened my eyes, I felt renewed. There was a silence in my body and my mind was at ease. I had a clarity that I hadn’t felt in days and I was ready to continue.

It’s amazing how something so simple like closing my eyes and breathing could make such a difference. It’s also amazing how difficult it can sometimes be to remember to take a few moments to do so. Reminding myself to practice, forgiving my failures, and celebrating my triumphs are all part of my struggle and part of my journey. Life isn’t a routine, it’s an opportunity. Every moment of everyday is a chance to grow. So until then, I strive forward. I continue to cultivate my wellness, this time unscripted and with a little spontaneity.

Another eventful week for this acupuncturist. Besides the start-up of my new Acupuncture practice at Earth and Air Wellness in Walnut Creek, The All-Star, after 6 years, finally decided to take the plunge and ask me to marry him! (Yay!)

Exciting times to say the least! My life seems to have taken a flying leap off the cliff of wonderment and my head is spinning from the glorious rush. But with the joy comes moments of slight panic. New business, new fiance. Marketing for Earth and Air, planning a Long Island wedding from California. It’s a lot for a girl to handle. Not to mention we just moved from our home! Phew, how am I going to it all?

Management is key to handling a plate this full. Management of stress, management of time, management of myself in general are what will keep me from wanting to throw my plate against the wall. It’s inevitable that life will get overwhelming at times and you’ll wonder how you’ll get through it all. It happens to me most often at night, when all the day’s work is said and done. The fear will get to me and I’ll break down. Then I’ll come to my senses, usually with a little help from The All-Star, and I begin to look forward to tomorrow. Sometimes it takes a little bit more. A hot shower, some exercise, meditation always helps. Even a few deep breathes can make the world seem so much more clear. Then I remind myself that if I had the strength to take on these tasks, then I have the strength to complete them. For me, bravery usually doesn’t come along for half the ride. Nor should you believe that it does for you.

So next time you feel like that plate of yours is getting a little heavy, take a good look at it. Do you want everything you’ve shoveled on? If the answer is “yes” then charge forward. You have the strength and the tools to succeed! All you have to do is stay mindful of what is important, take one bite at a time, and remember to enjoy the ride.

Everyone has a bad day. The weight of the world, no matter how light, can feel like a mountain, and that added stress can get the best of us. Even if you do everything in your power to live a happy, healthy life, moments of “low” are inevitable. It’s how you deal with those moments that counts.

When days like this pop up, it can take a bit more than a few deep breaths to pull you back to calm. The important thing to remember that you’ve got all the tools you need to turn a tough moment into a forgotten memory. Even if there is still a task at hand, the unnecessary worry it brings can be a thing of the past.

Next time you’re feeling the crunch, try out some of these stress management tools…

• Eat something healthy! I know it seems simple but how many times have you reached for something unhealthy to deal with your stress?  Many people are “emotional eaters” and grabbing a clementine instead of a doughnut when emotions run high will not only “feed the feelings” but will give you important phytonutrients to help fight the diseases often caused by stress. Crappy carbs also mess with our cortisol levels which can make you feel even worse. Remember this line when you’re looking for something to munch…Crappy leads to crabby.

• Stretch out your stress or walk out your worries! Twenty minutes of yoga or a quick walk around the block can really make a difference when the weight of the world is weighing you down. It doesn’t need to be a heavy workout session, just a little bit of movement and a whole lot of deep breathing can bring you back to a place of calm. If you’re at work, get up from your desk and get a few minutes of fresh air. “Go make a copy” or take a water break. When you return to your desk, you’ll feel lighter and refocused.

• Talk it out! What is it about stress that makes us want to be not so nice bitchy to the ones we love. Remember that friends and family want you to be happy and often are happy to help you through your tough time. So, be nice to your loved ones. A warm embrace is more comforting than a cold shoulder! Regardless of whether or not they give advice, talking about your problems can make them seem a whole lot more manageable. If you don’t feel like talking, just hang with someone. You’ll remember that you’re not in this alone!

• Take a break! There’s nothing wrong with leaving your troubles for another day. And if a problem needs immediate attention, letting go of the woes will give you the strength you need to get through it.  Stop, take a minute, and remember that everything is going to be okay. For real!