Say “Yes” to Happiness

Being a modern woman is a stressful situation. We are expected to be these superheroes who can work magic into anything! Many times, there is a rather bad situation and we end up venting it out in the wrong direction or at the wrong person.

Remember those times when your mother had said something unjust or blamed you for something totally unrelated to you? Did you just happen to do the same thing to your kid recently?

Well, don’t beat yourself up too much. All you need is some stress management.

Stress comes out of all those thoughts or adjustments we make unwillingly. Whether it is at home or at work, whether it is for your boss, or your in-laws, or your husband or your children. There are expectations and you fulfil them because it is what you are supposed to do. But you would rather not, if there was a choice. Now since there is no choice, there is stress.

Exercise or yoga or meditations are the most popular techniques which help relax mind and body. Meditation helps to distract the mind from negative thoughts and focus on the good and positive. There are no hard and fast rules or methods for meditation.

No matter how busy your daily routine is, get some “Me” time. We have no “time” left in the day to be alone or to meditate. But it doesn’t have to involve making sacrifices. Identify those few minutes in a day when you are alone. Make that time worthwhile.

For example, I travel to work in my office bus and it is an hour-long commute. As soon as I sit in the bus, I plug-in my earphones to my favourite music, close my eyes and doze off! Even on days when I don’t sleep, I reach office feeling refreshed and energized.

So, just identify where those few minutes fit in where you are alone, doing your favourite activity of the entire day. Is it a soap opera you love following but your family runs away as soon as it starts? Don’t feel guilty, just continue watching it if you love it so much. It is your time with the TV.

Utilize your PC/laptop to the full. Add a TV tuner card and watch your favourites! Or, watch videos online. Be it funny cats, cute puppies, new recipes or exotic places, anything and everything is available on the internet. Read stories, self-help, cookery or interiors. Or online articles like this one 🙂

If cooking is your passion, it could become your stress buster rather than a chore. Indulge a few extra minutes with that afternoon tea or coffee and snacks.

Basically, do something that will switch off your reality for some time.

Learn positive distraction from negative thoughts. Whenever the anger or frustration about something mounts, start thinking happy thoughts. (I look at kittens photos; there are 100s on my phone!)

Train your mind to back-track and come back on positive thinking. That really helps in anger management.

Keep a pet. Animals are close to Nature and help us stay grounded. They love unconditionally and don’t expect much. Having a pet in the house makes it easier to maintain that positive energy balance. If it is not possible to keep a pet, maybe a virtual pet would help. Your family may think you are nuts, but they may even find it cute eventually.

Opposite of stress is doing things that you love. Things which bring peace and happiness; it may be eating chocolate. Or a new face- mask which takes one hour to dry (just kidding).

Anything that distracts you from stress-inducing thoughts is a good thing. Just find ways to maintain your calm and peaceful self.

Stay Calm and Be a SuperMom!