Personal development: 9 tips on dealing with stress

When feeling high strung there's no fun in going through your day. You feel like you are behind with everything or easily snap when something out of routine happens. Not a fun place to be in. I'm very sensitive to stress due to hyperthyroidism and in the past I chose to work in the most pumped up environment as a journalist. So stress management and being balanced is a major priority. Not to mention I need to be focussed and calm when reading the tarot cards.

So how should to deal with stress? Here's a few of my tricks:

1. It's an open door, but exercise and scheduling time in for yoga in the morning (!) makes a huge difference. Even if you just take 20 minutes. Do it daily and you'll just smile in a zen way when the office floods, your computer crashes and there's a small fire in the kitchen. Breathe and feel centered.

2. Magnesium. This mineral is a natural calmer helping the nerve system.

3. If this is already too late & you are feeling stressed RIGHT NOW: you have to stop what you are doing. Recognize you are feeling the nerves. This can be very hard to do, because you are in a hurry. You want to stop, look around slowly, be aware of where you are, think of the room you are in, the surroundings, the city/village and feel you are part of a whole. Then draw the attention back to you, feel your body. It doesn't matter how fast the world is going, try to see you as the center of your universe. You are allowed to be present in the moment.

4. Plan. Sit down and take that time to at least see your daily schedule. Walk through your day. This may calm you. If it doesn't then write down in your planner you will have a severe look at your schedule. It may be too much and needs adjusting.

5. Stress makes our aura tight. Chances are you only look at what's near by you. If you are walking on the pavement try looking ahead/the horizon/looking at the full road and relax your shoulders.

6. There's many great sprays and precious stones that you can take with you to help you stay centered.

7. But it starts with being honest to yourself about what stresses you. Sometimes a different environment or handling situations in a different way help. I love Sunday morning walks in the city when it's quiet and obviously rush hour on a Monday isn't my idea of fun. You can often take a train/bike ride/go by car earlier than the crowd. I used to start an hour early when I worked at a magazine and it was simply bliss. Avoiding the feeling of being a sardine in a can and I got stuff done. I was also allowed to leave an hour early. So talk it through with your employer if this could be a solution for you. 

8. Don't make any major decisions when you feel like this.

9. You are allowed right now to care for yourself. You are of most importance. You are loved and worth it.