Chaos and Calm, 3 tips for regaining power from Stress

I have spent the last 13 years working in the public school system, and I can say that the best teachers for the majority of children utilize a clean, organized almost-minimalistic approach to the surroundings in the room. Kids (and adults for that matter)with ADHD have an easier time focusing when things have a place to be and the kids know the boundaries of the room and the rules.

When I have chaos in my life or when stress has built up too much I start my own type of CPR.
1. Walk, move, get the oxygen flowing through your body. There is not always an option say if you are in a meeting or appointment, then I take away the movement and try to get my breathing increased to increase blood flow and oxygen. If I need energy, I will breathe in and out just shy of hyperventilating for a minute. Or if I am amped up, I will slow it down breathing in for three count, hold for three and exhale for three seconds. Repeat until shoulders release from their peaks.

2. Stretches/Yoga time-- For me, there are times when breathing in a stretch position or a yoga pose will feel better and bring me happiness and joy than a gluten-free donut.

3. Water with a citrus fruit squeezed into it. This is my new go to. I particularly love lime in water. It helps with the blah-ness of plain water all the time. I know I need water and most of the time it will suffice but when I am stressed or looking for calm there is nothing better than water, no caffeine or sugars to mess with the body's already heightened state.

BONUS*** Its really the #1 way for me to find calm-- in the woods, nature, the beach, the mountains. Anywhere earth is under toe and fresh air is freely available. This can be hard if you live in the fields of Ohio, especially when the weather is prickly. I have been hiking a few time since Spring began almost a week ago and I thank the Earth for the spring even as my eyes water and I sniffle. To get out of our homes like a thaw has occurred, is like hearing your favorite song on the radio blaring out the windows that share your beats.

Life will never be stressless, but I can stress less.

Following my Bliss...

I have been on a quest for the last couple months. Hence no blogs. I have been taking in so much information. That is what I do, I absorb and ask, ask and absorb. I have wanted nothing more than to publish my books. But I have known that there is something deep down that has kept me from allowing that to happen. So I have been taking step to clear and minimize excess things unnecessary things out my life mentally, physically and spiritually. I needed to clear out my home to help me start to clear out my head to help me be open to the next chapter in my life. I do not know why this chapter is happening now. Or where this new chapter will lead but I know that big changes are coming.

I have been watching documentaries such as Discovering the Gift by Lichtenstein and Aziz, Beyond Belief, as well as doing Yoga Nidra every night to help myself retrain my brain to think positive about my goals and desires.

The Law of Attraction and The Secret are both part of the type of these positive begets positive and negative thoughts will bring more negative. As a social worker I see this every day. Both positively and negatively.

Behind every behavior is a positive intention.

I am a published novel author.
I have excess money in my bank account.
I have a yoga healthy body.
I have a strong healthy loving family who like spending time together.
I follow my bliss to my joyful life.

I pulled out the story I told my grandma (who passed away a year ago yesterday) about yesterday and was shocked how finished it was. It really might be ready for publishing. I don't know how many chapters are completely finished but the first 2 chapters were clean. Why do I allow myself to not move forward? Do I not want to succeed? What is the worst thing that happens? No one reads it? A few read it and hate it? Which is worse? No one reading or some reading but hating it? And is that what I am really afraid of?

"Everything you think is true." Prince-- acceptance speech for Webby award.