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Lifestyle Stress Questions  Sick of being stressed?  Some great tips to living a stress-free life.Stress is something we all experience. Your lifestyle can add to stress or it can help calm you down. What are you doing to reduce stress in your life? Evaluate your lifestyle by answering these five questions. Are there things you can change today that would make you feel better? The answer is probably, “Yes!”  

Five Lifestyle Questions to Ask Yourself:

1. Do I have effective ways of relaxing?

We all need down time. Therefore, identify ways to relax and rejuvenate your body and mind. Relaxation is not something you do once a year on a cruise to the Bahamas (although this can’t hurt). Relaxing should be a regular, practiced part of your life. You need balance in all things. Even God rested on the seventh day! Relaxation keeps stress from building up and provides an avenue for releasing tension.

2. Do I exercise regularly?

So many of us know the importance of this, but don’t do it. The benefits of exercise are enormous. Exercise can reduce muscle tension and frustration in addition to providing a host of medical helps. So why don’t we regularly exercise? Either we do not have a moment to fit it in our day or we don’t enjoy it.  The solution is to make time and pick something you like. For example, I tried running. I gave it six months, ran six days a week, and hated it. I am not a runner, but put me on a pair of roller blades and I have a good time. It can be bike riding, dancing, skating, basketball, tennis, skiing, walking, ping pong -- anything that gets you active and off that couch.  

3. Do I eat sensibly?

I’m not talking dieting here. I’m asking if you eat good healthy foods that provide nutrition and health benefits. Do you skip meals, eat burgers in the car while talking on your cell phone, and find yourself at the drive-through regularly? Decrease your caffeine intake; it can trigger panic. Reduce the amount of salt you eat and try more organic and less processed foods. Also, eat foods that give energy and staying power. Get the vitamins and supplements you need, particularly B, C, and calcium for women.

4.How well do I manage my time?

So many people spend energy on things that are unproductive or take too much of their time. Learn about time management and ways to maximize your efforts. If you are not meeting deadlines, procrastinate or obsess over a project, you need help. Some people have to learn to move things along, others to slow down and do things correctly. You only have a certain amount of time in one day, so it’s important to learn to prioritize and be realistic about your goals.

5. Do I get enough sleep?

Sounds like a simple question, but many of my clients have terrible sleeping habits. It is important to go to bed at a regular time and get into a sleep routine. This means start winding down a few hours before you go to sleep. Here’s an encouraging thought -- sex usually helps people sleep (Use only if this morally applies!).

Take a minute (don’t tell me you are too busy or stressed!) and begin to ask these questions. Then, work on making simple but important lifestyle changes.