Stressed?

2011-09-07T11:51:00.001-07:00

I have had the opportunity to travel to Utah and Arizona. Scenic drives, relaxed pace... it is good to leave the city once in a while.
Pat

I'm Back

2011-06-27T11:39:00.000-07:00

Hi ya all,
Good to be back. I took a much need break from all the techno stuff. I had my brain over loaded. Between facebook, linkedin, google, yahoo, blogger, website, and a few other therapy sites, I just felt I was constantly reading and posting.

Sometimes it is just a good thing to separate ourselves from what is causing our stress level to go UP. After you recharge you can then pick-up where you left off. I know I am now looking forward to reconnecting again.
Pat :-)

what?

2011-02-05T08:54:00.000-08:00

What the?? It's winter and today will be 72 degrees in Southern California.
For all those buried under snow, this might sound heavenly. But looking at
the bigger picture, this is not so good. There will probably be water shortages
this summer because the ice caps will not be sufficient for the state's water
consumption.

If it isn't one thing, it is another.

2011 New Year, New Ways

2011-01-08T16:09:00.000-08:00

I hope you had a nice holiday season. Seems the transition from the old year to the new is amazingly short. I guess I just "file" last year away.

I am trying to be more organized. I don't want to be overwhelmed by things. I am still in the process of decluttering. I gave away some 18 purses. When you get to my age, things like purses multiply in dark closets. I have no real problem with shoes, since they wear out and need to go in the trash. I do have too many pots n pans, little scraps of paper, photos, books...you get the picture.

I got a new fangled cellular, those droid wahzoo things. I am experimenting with using the calendar app and maybe give up my paper organizer. One more way to be stress free (I hope).

Don't Sweat It

2010-07-25T08:27:00.001-07:00

Most of us are in the middle of the Summer. There have been record heat temperatures, and next month might be worst. Tempers flare with temperature highs.

Try to simplify meals, use your crock pot or slow cooker instead of the oven. Eat more salads, use healthy cold cuts like Healthy Choice brand turkey or chicken. Micro cook potatoes, add broccoli in cheese sauce with strips of ham from the Deli section.

CHILL OUT. Keep your cool emotionally and physically.
*Drink lots of liquids, that means water, not just soda or beer.
*Keep in the shade.
*Relax in a cool tub of water, or rinse off in a cool shower.
*Take 3 slow breaths before you respond to your kids or significant other.
*Think before you open mouth and insert foot!!

Gloomy mood?

2010-05-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

Does weather, cloudy days, hazy, rain affect how you feel? Could that be the reason things don't feel right? Maybe your friends aren't too blame for your blah feeling. Maybe your BF having fun without you is not about insensitivity to your feelings.

Does weather play a factor in my mood? Or in yours? The sun has been shining for the past week. I feel like doing more, getting things done I had set aside. We had a time change here on the West Coast so it is actually lighter later in the evening. What a difference a few weeks make!

I notice that hazy days make me feel lazy. My motivation goes flying out the door. Once I start putting one foot in front of the other, I see I can begin to "do". I am glad to have sunnier weather and less gloomy days.

Ways to Ease Your Anxiety, Holiday Stress- part 2

2009-12-06T11:00:00.000-08:00

The pressure is on, Thanksgiving is gone and now Christmas looms like a cloud over our heads. Isn't Christmas supposed to be fun, a time to reflex on our spirituality, and enjoy family and friends???

Did things change? When did they change? How did they change? Here are some tips to help you through this busy time.

1. Aim for "good enough." Stop striving for perfection. You cannot make everything ideal. No tree is perfect, cookies don't have to be made from scratch. Do you best, then move on.
2. Prioritize. With all the get-togethers going on during the holiday season, don't feel obligated to attend them all. Decide which events are most important both professionally and personally, and skip the nonessential ones.
3. Divide your chores. Separate your to-do list and household chores into small manageable chunks. Instead of exhausting yourself by trying to do everything at once, wrap one or two gifts every evening. Shop during lunch breaks online for 20 minutes at a time. Break up your holiday card list to address a few over 4 to 5 mornings or evenings. Break down tasks.
4. Be safe and careful when you are out shopping. Stores are less crowded during daylight hours. Bring a companion with you for added security.
5. Keep to your shopping list and budgeted amount for each gift. You will be less likely to rush and more likely to be careful. You will be able to avoid financial stress after New Year's.

Holiday Stress - part 1

2009-11-09T21:33:00.000-08:00

Here we are, November with the Holiday Season beginning. We just put away Halloween decorations. Now on to make Thanksgiving Day plans. Meanwhile there are all these sales going on and gifts to purchase for Christmas or Hanukkah. Then New Year celebrations. Overwhelming? You bet!

How to handle this big jumble? Unjumble the events and view them as the separate events they are. That means start your gift list then set it aside. When you see something on your list at a bargain, you will be ready. Plan your Thanksgiving Day to be stress free. If you want to entertain, consider prepared restaurant food items. If you will go out to a restaurant, know that a long wait time is a real possibility. So, chill and use the time to visit with your companions. If you will go to someone's home, get information about the day ahead of time. Find out who are the other expected guests, number of guests, be clear what time food will be served and what will be served. Please remember to eat breakfast since hunger can make you grouchy.

Do you have any good de-stress tips that work for you?

Stressed? www.stresscounselor.net, Pat Grijalva, MA, MFT, Manage Stress, Manejo del Estres.

Weather Can Stress You

2009-10-18T13:35:00.000-07:00

We just transitioned from Summer to Fall. The transition is supposed to be gradual, but this year's weather has been extreme. I know I get fussy when it is too hot. Then I am prone to catch a cold when days flux, one day hot, the next cold.

Be aware that this can be a stressor. Remember to hydrate, drink plenty of fluids. Carry a light sweater just in case the evening temps drop. The old "dress in layers" is good advice for this time of year.