All posts by : lydia

10 Free Ways to Relax and Unwind That You Can Start Today

Stress is a part of life, but it doesn’t have to control your well-being. Relaxing and unwinding are crucial for maintaining a healthy mind and body. However, you don’t need to spend much money on expensive spa treatments or vacations to achieve relaxation. There are many zero-cost ways to unwind and de-stress. Don’t forget, we all need to relax every now and then. If we don’t, we could end up stressed and even sick. However, there are many relaxation activities out there that cost a pretty penny.

What if we want to find ways to relax without breaking the bank? There are many of them out there, and it’s easier than you think!

Here is a list of ideas for zero-cost ways to relax:

1.     Light Exercise: A great way to relax is to get some light exercise, which can mean walking around the neighborhood or playing a low-impact sport. Exercise has been known to help the body relax, and engaging in the non-intense activity will also help your mind unwind.

2.     Meditation: Meditation is one of the most relaxing activities you can enjoy for free. All you need to do is sit silently and focus on your breath. When negative thoughts arise, acknowledge them and then let them go. Try doing this for 30 minutes each day. 

3.     Take a Nap: Babies and toddlers aren’t the only ones that can benefit from a nap! You may even feel relaxed and rejuvenated after a simple 15-minute snooze. You don’t even need to be fully asleep to enjoy this activity.

4.     Shoot the Breeze: Go to a friend’s house or talk to a friend on the phone. Chances are you have one of those friends you can chat with as if no time has passed since you last spoke. Old friends usually provide great opportunities to talk about the good old days. 

5.     Listen to Music: Pick out a group of songs that you find incredibly relaxing. Classical and other light songs usually work best.

6.     Read a Book: Go check out a new book from the local library and start reading. Reading one of your favorite books over again may be a fun activity.

7.     Take a Hot Bath: Take a hot bath or shower. If you’re taking a bath, add bubble bath soap, play classical music, and remember to silence your phone. This is a simple way to have a peaceful time just for you. 

8.     Look at Old Photos: Look at photos from your childhood or a fun trip you took. Remembering some of your treasured moments through photographs will surely make you smile and relax. 

9.     Play Board Games: When was the last time you played your favorite board game? Dust off the old Monopoly or Scrabble, prepare snacks and play a few games with your family. It’ll be fun for all!

10. Daydream: Allow your mind to wander and dream. Escape to where you’d like to travel one day. Think about your life in the next 5, 10, or 15 years and write these thoughts down in a journal for you to read later. 

Endless Possibilities 

These are just 10 simple ideas for relaxing the zero-cost way. Stay creative, and remember that it’s okay to waste time occasionally. You can either do some self-reflection or hang out with friends or family; whatever it is, do something fun!

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For more information about reducing your stress, contact us by email.

Visit our website to see the online programs, e-books, and articles or to schedule a call.

Take care,

Lydia

De-Stress Your Mind and Wallet: Top Steps to Reduce Both Your Stress and Debts

It can be challenging if you find yourself dealing with financial stress. However, it would be best if you didn’t let stress take over your life. If the bills are piling up, there are steps you can take to reduce your stress and your debts. 

The most important thing to remember when facing financial troubles is to make a plan and stick to it. If you need help with this plan, it would be in your best interest to seek out a financial planner.

Here are a few tips that can help you on your way:

1.     Don’t spend money to relieve your stress. Reducing stress by going out for meals, entertainment, and other activities is often tempting and counterproductive. Instead, use some free stress relievers such as a good book, a warm bath, or a social event with friends at home. 

2.     Accept your situation. Being unwilling to accept that you’re dealing with a complicated situation can increase your stress. In many financial scenarios, you’re unable to control the situation. However, once you surrender control and accept it, you’ll feel better knowing that you can only do what you can to improve your financial outlook. It may take time, and that’s okay!

3.     Don’t be risky. If you have investments that may be risky, it may be time to switch them to more of a sure bet. This security alone may ease your financial stress.

4.     Discuss your problems with your family. If you have a spouse, keep the lines of communication open. Many marriages suffer during financial stress, but with honest communication and careful planning, you can keep your marriage and family happy. 

5.     Stay Organized. Make lists and keep a calendar. It’s important to schedule time for relaxation, too. You’ll need time to enjoy yourself without worrying about anything – especially your financial troubles.

Have a Plan

Simply having a plan to improve your financial problems can reduce your stress level. Plans and goals will help you keep things in perspective and show you that you’re progressing toward a better life.

You don’t need to do this alone. Many professionals can help you create a successful financial plan, even in your current situation. 

Here are some items you may want to review before forming your plan: 

1. Find ways to cut expenses if you’re spending more than you’re making. Look for ways to reduce your costs, reduce eating in restaurants or cancel subscriptions you don’t need.
2. See if you can pick up a part-time job or implement other ways to add to your income. Consider taking on a side hustle or finding ways to increase your revenue to help alleviate financial stress.
3. Look into refinancing options for your current loans.
4. Start using your debit card instead of a credit card.
5. Create a budget. A budget can help you manage your money more effectively and reduce financial stress.
6. Seek professional help. Consider contacting a financial advisor, counselor, or coach who can provide guidance and support.

Maintaining Your Health

Remember how important it is to maintain your health; people often forget this. When your body is dealing with any stress, it can take a toll if you don’t take steps to relieve it. 

Next time you feel exceptionally stressed out, become aware of the state of your body. You’ll likely notice that all of your muscles are tense. Take a few moments to relax your muscles and take a few deep breaths.

While you may not have control of your financial situation, you do control how you feel about it. Focus on taking action to do what you can to improve your situation and know that better days are ahead.

Remember…Practice self-care! Financial stress can affect your mental and physical health, so practicing self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones is essential.

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For more information about reducing your stress, contact us by email.

Visit our website to see the online programs, e-books, and articles or to schedule a call.

Take care,

Lydia

How To Axe Self-Sabotaging Behaviour

Self-sabotage is a uniquely human behavior. 

Many of us sabotage ourselves when we decide we want something by doing everything we can to ensure we don’t get it. 

Sound familiar?

Although self sabotaging is a subconscious behavior, we can get a handle on it.

There are many reasons that you might sabotage yourself. It’s a prevalent behavior rooted in fear of the unknown. The idea of greatness may be frightening if you have immersed yourself in mediocrity. Ask yourself if you’re satisfied with your life.

How do I know if I’m sabotaging myself?

Find out why you may self-sabotage:

Control

You might self-sabotage because you need to be in control of your circumstances. Maintaining the status quo is the easiest and most certain way to stay in power.

If you put your all into something, you risk becoming vulnerable. Fear gets the best of you, and you self-sabotage.

Low self-esteem
Do you feel unworthy of greatness?

For whatever reason, you may have decided that happiness ought to be forever beyond your reach. This is a self-limiting idea, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Excitement
Perhaps you undermine your efforts because you’re seeking excitement. You feel the need to remain in a constant state of turmoil to distract yourself from painful memories or alleviate boredom.

If you see yourself in any of these descriptions, fear not: there are steps you can take to put yourself on the path toward self-mastery.

Consider this process for defeating your self-sabotage:

Observe your behavior. First off, it’s essential that you begin to observe yourself. You can effectively do this by creating a self-sabotage journal. Make a journal entry every time you realize that you’ve sabotaged yourself. Describe the setting, circumstances, and final result. Avoid over-analyzing.

Most often, a person’s true intentions are evident in actions rather than words.

Strive to be an impersonal observer in your journal. Eventually, you’ll better understand your motives in certain situations.

Envision success. Keep in mind that success is neither black nor white. Cultivate the habit of envisioning what success means to you and remember how it feels to achieve it. If you do this consistently, you may find that what you envision changes over time.

Begin to see success as an integral part of your future, but realize there will still be challenges. Like everyone else, you’ll still have to pay taxes and have relationship issues.

Let go of the notion of perfection. 
As you visualize success, are you still thinking that success equals perfection? If so, it’s time to realize that nobody is perfect.

This is what George Bernard Shaw would refer to as “doublethink.” Perfection and life are mutually exclusive because perfection is unattainable. Your subconscious won’t allow you to achieve success if you associate success with the impossible task of being perfect.

Think of your subconscious as a computer. It doesn’t know how to execute a command called “do the impossible.”

If you associate success with fear, your subconscious will fight you. Why? Because its primary function is to protect you from perceived threats.

 Permit yourself to anticipate success with excitement. Perhaps you’ve been sending your subconscious the message, “Don’t give me success!” So, let’s put your self-sabotaging behaviors in the past!

Embrace the good life you deserve by picturing yourself as successful, and then refuse to talk yourself out of going for it. The journey to your ideal life starts now!

>>> DOWNLOAD YOUR FREEBIE NOW <<<

For more information about reducing your stress, contact us by email.

Visit our website to see the online programs, e-books, and articles or to schedule a call.

Take care,

Lydia

How Stressful Thinking Affects You

We all encounter stress, one day a bit more than another day.

Sometimes stress peaks during the day and could also disappear as fast as it arrives. It really depends on how we deal with stress.

Do we let stress determine how we continue?

Will we allow stress to move us forward, or does anxiety hold us back?

It is not the situation that gives us stress, but how we react and think gives us anxiety.

Stressful thinking is often inaccurate, unreliable, and unhelpful. In this case, I talk about negative stress. As you might have read in my article: A stress-free life, does that even exist? I don’t believe in a stress-free life.

Unfortunately, many of us think and behave in stressful ways, which harms our health, body, mind, relationships, etc. Instead of continuing to go through life thinking and acting in stressful manners, we can turn this stressful thinking around. 

Silencing negative thinking may be more accessible than ever imagined, but it begins with a positive thought.

Negative Thinking, Positive Aspirations, and You

Negative thinking controls how you approach life and can negatively affect your body, mind, and relationships. When you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you have the power to move forward more healthily and productively. With enough time and effort, you can change your thought process, and it all begins with just a few words.

The Power of A Few Words…

When you see a list of affirmations, you see nothing more than a list of words with idealistic phrases that do not apply to your thinking. Looking closer at each affirmation, many encapsulate how you would like to think. 

When you see a positive phrase that speaks to you, latch onto it and use it to extinguish the negative thought you want to get rid of. Essentially, you will replace your negative thinking pattern with a positive approach. This is what positive affirmations are all about!

Affirmations are positive statements that stimulate your mind to accomplish all the great things you want. Words have the power to move mountains because they can evoke emotions within us all. If you use an affirmation that speaks to you on a deep level – and you reaffirm it by repeating it often – you can make the statement your mantra and your reality.

If you are overcome by negative thinking to the point where you think no affirmation can work for you, don’t lose hope! Many affirmations can help you deal with just that! An affirmation such as, “Negative thinking is not my way of thinking,” will give you the power to change your thought process and life. It may feel awkward initially, but as you reaffirm the positive emotions you desire, your negative thinking will be replaced with positive ones. 

There are many different affirmations to help you with negative thinking. Something as simple as “Negative thoughts cannot enter my mind” will allow you a moment to replace anger and frustration with a positive thought. 

Does this sound too good to be true? There are many people who, just like you, think this is too good to be true and too simple to be influential. How do you know this for sure? You can only find out and experience it if you try it. What is the harm, or what do you have to lose? No need to share this with others, although in time, you may find that the benefits are so great that you want to share them with everyone you know.

>>> DOWNLOAD YOUR FREEBIE NOW <<<

For more information about reducing your stress, contact us by email.

Visit our website to see the online programs, e-books, and articles or to schedule a call.

Take care,

Lydia