Take One Thing At A Time

Feeling overwhelmed? Take it easy on yourself. In our rushed, overloaded, modern lifestyles, we are causing ourselves more health problems than are really necessary. Hectic, too-busy schedules cause stress, strained relationships, mistakes, car accidents, poor eating habits -- and consequently, health issues. If you are a Type A or a perfectionist, or even if you just tend toward these characteristics only half the time, take a breath and relax. You don't have to get it all done today, or even tomorrow. There are plenty of days in the future to get everything done. And even so, you probably won't get it all accomplished.

From conversations I've had with people, the average person loads him or herself up so high with tasks and obligations that what results is the loss of sleep, poor eating habits, and no time for relaxation, fun, or exercise. If the things you are doing are supposed to allow more time for fun, relaxation, and exercise, but you still seem to never have time for those things, it's time for an adjustment in your priorities.

• Make lists of things you want to accomplish. If you don't get them done, tell yourself you will get it done eventually - tomorrow, the next day, or next week. If you don't, tell yourself it isn't the end of the world. And don't spend time worrying about what you haven't yet accomplished. Worry never buys anyone anything except more stress and misery.
• Never compare yourself with someone else and what he or she accomplishes. If someone else makes comparisons about you, tell them to get lost. You don't need negativity in your life bringing you down.
  
• Do not allow the outer world to dictate what you do. Center yourself continually by internal conversations where you concentrate on basing your beliefs, decisions, ideas, and actions about life on you, not on messages from the media, advertisements, or the opinions of others. Remember, you are the master of your own life.
• As much as possible, exercise reason in dealings with situations and people. Make an effort to be calm and positive.
• Don't allow others to make you feel worthless, undeserving, or guilty. You are only accountable for yourself - even with your family and friends.
  
• If you have committed an offense, own up to it and make amends. Those who do not take responsibility for their actions will pay the price somewhere down the line.
  
• Don't hold grudges or allow anger, frustration, or guilt to linger too long about something that upsets you. The only person you hurt with these emotions is yourself.
  
• Try not to allow jealousy and envy to rule your life. There is always someone else who has or is doing something that you do not.
  
• Be honest in your relationships with others and communicate how you feel, but allow others to make mistakes.
  
• Be willing to forgive.
  
• Support your body with healthy, organic, whole foods that are as toxin-free as possible, contain full, natural fats (including raw dairy, raw nuts, and grass and pasture-raised meats), an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, and plenty of filtered water.
• If you take drugs or drink alcohol, consider cutting back or eliminating entirely. Your body cannot function properly with foreign substances continually entering it on a regular basis. If you do drink, red wine is an excellent choice for one a day as it promotes circulatory health. If you are drinking more than one alcoholic beverage a day, you might have a problem and should think about changing your lifestyle to include better eating, sleeping, and exercise habits. Craving for alcoholic beverages indicates a sugar addiction rather than an actual "disease" as the medical and mental health communities are prone to reporting. Read this article on Agriculture Society for more information on this controversial subject.
• Take time out to enjoy important things in life - what's more important than friends and family? Those are what you should be living for, so spend time with loved ones as much as possible. If you are placing money, power, material things, or activities in front of your loved ones, now is the time to realize that none of those things will really ever bring you happiness.
  
• Make time for exercise and relaxation. Go for a walk, a hike, or ride your bike. Take yoga, Pilates, Marshall Arts, or get a massage or have acupuncture done.
• Create harmony and balance in your body by completing detoxification. When you are loaded with toxins, your body cannot function optimally. Read this article on Agriculture Society for more information.