Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Perfect Gift for the Bride to Be
Need a great wedding or shower gift but the couple has not registered anywhere and you don't really know what they may really need or want? Don't fret! Here is a fail-safe and thoughtful option for you! One expense that a bride often overlooks is the price of postage for the shower invitations, wedding invitations, response cards and thank you notes! Do the math....42 per item mailed x 400+ pieces mailed...YIKES...That really adds up!!!! So why not buy the happy couple a roll of pretty stamps to help meet this costly expense? If you are a bride and reading this, here is a nice touch to include for your thank you notes....Photo Stamps! Yes, they cost a bit more, but really add a nice touch to your thank you note! And besides, with all the free postage you're going to get as a result of this post, you can now afford this little luxury! You can thank me later:)
Friday, October 12, 2007
Get Ready to Relax for the Holidays!
As one stressed-out person to another, I know how stress feels, and believe me there are many varying degrees when it comes to stress. Coping with life, and carrying the problems of others can completely wipe you out...physically and emotionally!
There are several ways to manage stress, and eventually remove it out of your life one of these days. So I'll try to divide it into a seven-day course for you and I promise it's not going to be too taxing on the body, as well as on the mind.
1. Acknowledge stress is good
Make stress your friend! Based on the body's natural "fight or flight" response, that burst of energy will enhance your performance at the right moment. I've yet to see a top sportsman totally relaxed before a big competition. Use stress wisely to push yourself that little bit harder when it counts most.
2. Avoid negative or overly stressed people!
Unfortunately, stress IS contagious. A good friend used to say..."hang around with dogs and you will get fleas!" Same goes for stress! Avoid this snowball effect by protecting yourself by recognizing stress in others and limiting your contact with them. If these folks can't be avoided, act busy, disinterested, or politely tell them that you just can't handle their stress as well as your own. Maybe they'll get the hint and de-stress themselves!
3. Learn from the best
When people around are losing their head, who keeps calm? What are they doing differently? What is their attitude? What language do they use? Are they trained and experienced? Figure it out from afar or sit them down for a chat. Learn from the best stress managers and copy what they do.
4. Practice socially acceptable heavy breathing
This is something I've learned from a gym instructor: You can trick your body into relaxing by using heavy breathing. Breathe in slowly for a count of 7 then breathe out for a count of 11. Repeat the 7-11 breathing until your heart rate slows down, your sweaty palms dry off and things start to feel more normal.
5. Give stressy thoughts the red light
It is possible to tangle yourself up in a stress knot all by yourself. "If this happens, then that might happen and then we're all up the creek!" Most of these things never happen, so why waste all that energy worrying needlessly?Give stress thought-trains the red light and stop them in their tracks. Okay so it might go wrong - how likely is that, and what can you do to prevent it?
6. Know your trigger points and hot spots
Presentations, interviews, meetings, giving difficult feedback, tight deadlines…. My heart rate is cranking up just writing these down!
Make your own list of stress trigger points or hot spots. Be specific. Is it only presentations to a certain audience that get you worked up? Does one project cause more stress than another? Did you drink too much coffee? Knowing what causes you stress is powerful information, as you can take action to make it less stressful. Do you need to learn some new skills? Do you need extra resources? Do you need to switch to decaf?
7. Burn the candle at one end
Lack of sleep, poor diet and no exercise wreaks havoc on our body and mind. Kind of obvious, but worth mentioning as it's often ignored as a stress management technique. Listen to your mother and don't burn the candle at both ends!So having stress can be a total drag, but that should not hinder us to find the inner peace of mind that we have wanted for a long time. In any case, one could always go to Punta Cana and bask under the summer sun.
There are several ways to manage stress, and eventually remove it out of your life one of these days. So I'll try to divide it into a seven-day course for you and I promise it's not going to be too taxing on the body, as well as on the mind.
1. Acknowledge stress is good
Make stress your friend! Based on the body's natural "fight or flight" response, that burst of energy will enhance your performance at the right moment. I've yet to see a top sportsman totally relaxed before a big competition. Use stress wisely to push yourself that little bit harder when it counts most.
2. Avoid negative or overly stressed people!
Unfortunately, stress IS contagious. A good friend used to say..."hang around with dogs and you will get fleas!" Same goes for stress! Avoid this snowball effect by protecting yourself by recognizing stress in others and limiting your contact with them. If these folks can't be avoided, act busy, disinterested, or politely tell them that you just can't handle their stress as well as your own. Maybe they'll get the hint and de-stress themselves!
3. Learn from the best
When people around are losing their head, who keeps calm? What are they doing differently? What is their attitude? What language do they use? Are they trained and experienced? Figure it out from afar or sit them down for a chat. Learn from the best stress managers and copy what they do.
4. Practice socially acceptable heavy breathing
This is something I've learned from a gym instructor: You can trick your body into relaxing by using heavy breathing. Breathe in slowly for a count of 7 then breathe out for a count of 11. Repeat the 7-11 breathing until your heart rate slows down, your sweaty palms dry off and things start to feel more normal.
5. Give stressy thoughts the red light
It is possible to tangle yourself up in a stress knot all by yourself. "If this happens, then that might happen and then we're all up the creek!" Most of these things never happen, so why waste all that energy worrying needlessly?Give stress thought-trains the red light and stop them in their tracks. Okay so it might go wrong - how likely is that, and what can you do to prevent it?
6. Know your trigger points and hot spots
Presentations, interviews, meetings, giving difficult feedback, tight deadlines…. My heart rate is cranking up just writing these down!
Make your own list of stress trigger points or hot spots. Be specific. Is it only presentations to a certain audience that get you worked up? Does one project cause more stress than another? Did you drink too much coffee? Knowing what causes you stress is powerful information, as you can take action to make it less stressful. Do you need to learn some new skills? Do you need extra resources? Do you need to switch to decaf?
7. Burn the candle at one end
Lack of sleep, poor diet and no exercise wreaks havoc on our body and mind. Kind of obvious, but worth mentioning as it's often ignored as a stress management technique. Listen to your mother and don't burn the candle at both ends!So having stress can be a total drag, but that should not hinder us to find the inner peace of mind that we have wanted for a long time. In any case, one could always go to Punta Cana and bask under the summer sun.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
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