Let's face it: we Workerettes are busy, busy bees.  Trying to find a work-life balance, trying to deal with the media maelstrom that is war, global warming, the 2008 Presidential political campaigns, product recalls, health threats around every corner, rice shortages.... well, every day it's just "lions and tigers and bears, oh my!"

As much as I'd like to ship us all off to a nice calm spa for a week or two, that just won't be happening any time soon.  (Unless any of you win the Lotto or want to throw me a billion-dollar book deal?)  However, I did run across this article about breaking free from stress - reprinted by permission - and I thought you might learn from it right along with me.  

Now, let's go over the five steps to breaking free from stress and see how we feel, eh? 

Ladies, Break Free From Stress!

Negative stress is not your friend. It is your enemy. To
make friends with stress is to play with fire and know you
will end up getting burned.

The problem is so many of us women have allowed negative
stress to become familiar. We’ve forgotten how dangerous it
is and have simply accepted it as part of our lives. It’s
time for this toxic relationship to end!

Stress is simply veiled fear. Think about it for a moment.
The two go hand in hand. Stress is fear you won’t get
everything done; fear you won’t have enough; fear of
failure; fear of pain; fear of what others think; or fear
that you are simply not good enough.

Stress is your enemy, so do not welcome it. Fear becomes
alive when you give energy to it. It will rob you of
enjoying the precious moments of every day life. It can take
the pleasure out of your relationships. It will tire you out
and even steal your health. It is so powerful, it can even
kill you.

There are steps you can take towards ending your friendship
with stress:

* Step One: Recognize The Truth About Yourself *

A very important step is to recognize the truth about your
value and ability. I invite you to experiment with simply
“accepting” that your true self really is good enough. You
are beautiful, intelligent and capable of solving every
problem.

You were programmed to succeed and the ability to find the
right solution is already within you. Even if you require
outside help, you are able to find it. You are not
superhuman, but you are a talented woman. Accepting this
truth will begin to eliminate fears related to your
abilities.

* Step Two: Understanding *

Yes, stress is fear! Understanding this important truth
takes you a step closer towards ending this unhealthy
relationship. Awareness means the deception must end. You
are revealing fear as the hidden master and are choosing to
take back control.

* Step Three: Reveal The Fear Behind The Stress *

When you are feeling stressed, ask yourself, “What am I
really afraid of in this situation?” or “What am I believing
to be true about myself?” Pinpoint what the actual fear is
so you can deal with it head on.

* Step Four: Overcoming The Fear *

Now do what it takes to let go of the fear. This doesn’t
have to be hard. Sometimes fear is rooted in lies and
nothing abolishes lies as quickly as the truth! Hold your
fear up to what is really true about you or your
circumstances.

Are you really just doubting yourself or your ability? Is
the outcome you fear likely to happen? Is it even worth
stressing about? Choose to trust you already have what it
takes to handle the situation. If you are spiritual, put
your hand in God’s and realize you are not alone in this.

* Step Five: Committing To Peace *

The absence of stress is peace. It’s a mindset that says,
“I’m not going to run around under the heavy load of stress
anymore.” Make a conscious commitment to experience this
peace in your life. You don’t need to be feeling stressed in
order to be effective or successful. You know what stress
feels like; now it’s time to fully experience what peace is
like.

Look at the things in your life which actually create stress
for you. When you minimize fear, you begin to see things
from a different perspective. Suddenly, some things don’t
seem so absolutely necessary anymore. Sometimes, a better
way presents itself to you because you are thinking outside
your fears and opening up to possibility.

Learn to recognize the sensations in your body when you are
feeling stress. This is your warning signal. At first, you
may find it is the “absence of stress” that feels so
different. Enjoy how good it feels and purpose to do this
more until stress is no longer your friend.

As you lay each fear to rest, you’ll begin to experience
freedom from stress.

Copyright 2007 Tami M. Szabo

Article by:

Tami Szabo specializes in Personal Success Coaching for Women who want their home and work lives to match their true passion, purpose and potential. You can learn more and subscribe to Free Success Tips on her website at www.destinysdoorcoaching.com