Thrive Challenge

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Comment by Jay Crawford on February 13, 2010 at 11:34pm

I'm kinda playin the 'victim of the recesion' card. I spent 3-1/2 years at a company doing residential construction when the bottom fell out; in July the outfit I was working for was shut down by the bank. I accepted this as the time I've been looking for for years; to go back to school and do what I've always really wanted...get into health sciences. I'm finding at 38 it's more daunting than I imagined...STRESS!

I do alot of the usual; meditation, breathing exercises, walking, massage therapy and aqua therapy (time at the pool; swimming, steaming and hot tub). I did Thrive in 30 in November, bought Brendans' books Thrive and Thrive Fitness in December and January 4th started my 12 week 'recalibration'...I'm feeling great! 6weeks in I sleep better, my mind is clearer and I dropped close to 20 pounds:) But I have discovered a new therapy that helps me relax. At the risk of sounding cheesy!...Vega Community! I've been spending time here at the end of my days; reading peoples stories, Blogs and discussions. I even chipped in my two cents a couple of occassions. There are some really great people here with a lot of great things to say and I go to bed feeling really good about my choices lately. My optimism is at an all time high and for that I'm grateful!

A person is the product of their environment and I feel I'm in really good company!

Comment by Melinda Kometti on February 12, 2010 at 8:24pm

When I am over stressed and need some quiet time I enjoy gearing up in my scuba gear and heading out to the water. I swim out drop down into the water and enjoy just hearing my bubbles as I breath. No ringing phones, no loud noises just quiet bubbles.. Even talking about it actually is quite relaxing.

Comment by Michelle on February 12, 2010 at 4:31pm

I try to add humor wherever I can. It's something I can do whether I have free time or not for things like yoga. I'm fortunate to work with a group that enjoys a good laugh when things get stressful so a good laugh over lunch or a joke about something funny at a random moment really helps.

Comment by Frances Worster on February 10, 2010 at 5:01am

In this training course that I am doing, one of my teachers told me something that I will never forget: "Stress is your response to pressure". Because I am in charge of my behaviours, thoughts, and feelings, I can control my stress! It is going to take a lot of work to get there, but it's a great start!

Comment by ann marie schaffer on February 9, 2010 at 9:04pm

I just need to go outside and use all my scenses. If I can still hear the nature outside and see,feel,taste and touch it, I become grounded. Its back to the basics for me. My Cat shows that to me everyday, its up to me to see it. Also A good run on the Harley can really blow the cobwebs out of my head.

Comment by Maya Henderson on February 8, 2010 at 1:43pm

Thankfully, I've never been one to feel as though I let stress bog me down. Now, that's not to say that I don't get stressed but I have always been a person that seems to handle stress well. When I'm really bugging, I try to return to my breath and remember that through all my ups and downs in life, I always end up back on my feet. A HUGE part of this has been my yoga practice. Yoga has kept me sane through so many tough situations in life. Honestly, even when I'm not being a good yogi and lettign things bother me, just knowing that I can sweat it out and find calm in yoga has helped me.
Like most other readers, sweating and exercising is my huge stress relief. Not sure what I'd do if I couldn't punch (the air) in cardio kickbox or go to my edge in yoga.
A good laugh is also a great way to reduce stress. There's nothing more that I love after a stressful day than to watch a goofy comedy with my boyfriend!

Comment by Amanda W. on February 7, 2010 at 11:57am

Going to the gym (or running outside when the weather is good) on my way home from work is the best way to work off the stress of the day. By the time I get home, I feel relaxed and the day doesn't seem so bad.

Comment by VeganDiaries.com on February 4, 2010 at 11:23pm

I make a list of the most important things I need to do, try and see the big picture, and watch a good comedy.

Comment by Sara Westbrook on February 4, 2010 at 7:32am

Stress caused from 'Emotional Overload' I find to be the one that takes its most toll. It over flows and start to drain your physical self as well, if not addressed and dealt with.
There are a few things that I choose to do when I am feeling emotionally stressed.
1. JOURNALING- this is a very powerful tool. I think of it as 'de cluttering' of the mind. It allows me to clear my mind and my heart. There is something very freeing about writing out your thoughts and emotions on paper.
2. POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS- Write uplifting, empowering, encouraging thoughts or words. Place them everywhere that you will see them. Two of my favourites are: 'I choose to love and respect my body!' and simply the word 'freedom.'
3. BEING GRATEFUL- it is easy to focus on the things that are going 'wrong' or the things that we 'don't like' but if you try on an Attitude of Gratitude you will see your focus and prespective change. When your focus changes to one of Gratitude you will see and feel your stress level decrease. 'Change your FOCUS- Change your World!'
4. HEALTHY EATING and EXERCISE- when I feel good about my body and I feel as though I am doing the best I can to help it be heakthy- I find dealing with anything outside of me easier. For me a Vegan diet works best, with lots of raw greens, fruit and seeds. I also enjoy weight training to shape my body and relieve stress.
5. CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS WISELY- choose to surround yourself with people who will remind you of who you are and what you are capable of when you forget! We all need reminders! :o)
Great friends and family can help to carry us through tough times and put a different perspective on things.

Learning to really love and Respect ourself, I know can be easier said than done and some days are easier than others to make great choices.
But by taking steps to care for yourself, inside and out, you will soon notice that you have the ability to CHOOSE to make your life look and feel Great!
Let's Reframe how we look and move through stressful times! :o)

Comment by Jennifer Kilgore on February 4, 2010 at 6:23am

1) Clean!
Keeping things clean or cleaning a messy area makes everything else less stressful. Sometimes when I get really stressed, I realize my kitchen is a mess. I clean it, and feel much better. I have seen this in many other people as well.

2) Exercise
I feel like if I don't exercise my internal clock get wound too tight. I tell my kids I have to exercise to remove the demons so I am not a grumpy mommy. Poor kids. I can only imagine what goes through there heads.

Comment by G C on February 4, 2010 at 5:09am

Meditation (daily!) is the best way I found to reduce stress, with a sound sleep hygiene and a nutritious, balanced diet. Staying active is also essential for me as it helps me get rid of my negative energy (sometimes it's tough to stay positive). Taking the time to introspect to notice if I'm stressed or not helps as well (sometimes it's tough to keep in touch). And being rebellious and allowing myself to take a mini-break from it all with a book is also a great stress buster.

Comment by martie on February 3, 2010 at 11:07pm

I've been doing Kundalini Yoga and meditation, which is fantastic (yoga in general is). More recently I've taken up hoopdancing (with a hulahoop) which is even more fun than I ever could have imagined. It's a great workout, plus you have fun, relieve stress, get happy, and build your core. Highly recommend it!

Comment by Frances Worster on February 3, 2010 at 10:16pm

Tapping into what exactly the cause of the stress is is essential. Sometimes it's simply an issue of tackling that "one thing" I've been avoiding, that's sitting over my head. I can really "check out" of my own life, so bringing consciousness back into my life is the first step.
I find meditating, reading, and writing really useful, BUT my latest love is a whirling dervish meditation. You just need the right song to help pace yourself. All your cares simply fall away, and you sense how you are part of a great, vibrant, pulsing, LIVING system that is all around you, if you care to look. It is a beautiful, spontaneous and joyful expression that brings me into alignment and peace (and makes me pretty hyper too!)

Comment by Sara Jelley on February 3, 2010 at 8:27pm

When I am stressed, the key is to realize it. It is so hard for me to recognize that I am stressed because I manifest it physically, with tight shoulders. Sometimes I even get an eye twitch and don't notice until someone points it out :) But when I realize it, I try to take a nap, play music, or just drop everything for an hour and go play frisbee or run or something.
Also, one of my favorites is to sit upside down on a bed or couch. Not only do I feel like I am 5 again, but letting my neck muscles go and my spine bend the opposite way it normally does is a great stress reliever. Having your head below your heart helps you be more loving and grateful, or so my yoga teachers tell me. :)

Comment by Charlene Waldner on February 3, 2010 at 8:17pm

The best way I find to cope with stress is exercise. My favorites are a fast flowing Vinyasa flow, a hard run (or race even better!), swimming with a masters swim group and pumping iron. Research shows the benefits of getting therapeutic massage increases muscle relaxation, decreases pain and anxiety and releives depression . Also having quality sleep without the stress of getting up to an alarm one day of the weekend. Of couse eating quality foods such as a Vega smoothie to fuel your morning. I recently started taking Red Reishi which is good for memory, stress and can improve sleep. I notice a huge difference in mood and in handling stressful situations...it's a lifesaver!

Comment by ILDIKO BIRO on February 3, 2010 at 8:10pm

I could consider myself really lucky because I don't have much stress in my life , no husband ,no kids not even a boyfriend and a part time job :-)))), most of the time I stress myself about things that I have no control over. I eat really good , 90 % of my diet is Thrive Diet , I work out 4 to 5 days a week , I started running lately since I registered for a half Marathon in april , I do Kick Boxing on saturdays . The more time I spend on doing things that I like the less stress I have , and if I stress myself about something in the night when I get home I take a hot bath I put some baking soda and epson salt and lavender oil in the bath and sit there for an hour and that solves all my problem.

Comment by M B on February 3, 2010 at 7:36pm

As a stay at home mom of three small children I find it hard to find some solitude. The constant barrage of requests and needs can be very wearing. I find that doing yoga helps.
I also have a wonderful husband who will massage my neck and shoulders for me. I carry a lot of my tension there and a good massage does wonders for my spirits.

Comment by Melissa Wood on February 3, 2010 at 5:28pm

I just did something that was completely stress relieving! It is absolutely pouring outside, but I grabbed my umbrella and my two dogs and walked up and down our private road, enjoyed the sound of the rain, enjoyed watching my silly dogs run all around like they were at Disneyland, and enjoyed staying dry the whole time! I am now inside and breathing easier and feel "lighter"!

Comment by Nicole Winterberg on February 3, 2010 at 5:16pm

For me, it's all about incorporating mini vacations into my day....yoga, a hot bath, deep breathing/relaxation, having a cup of hot tea, exercise, etc.

Comment by Barbara Giberson on February 3, 2010 at 4:01pm

I rarely get stressed because I have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that He is in charge of ALL things. But if a spirit of anxiety hits me I just PRAY and begin singing praises to Jesus Christ. It's amazing how TRUE His WORD is. He says we are healed and we are, we just have to receive it.

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