Ways to reduce stress - everybody should have at least two!
Pressure and Release Techniques:
Cross and uncross your legs (at ankles) and arms (like a self-hug) for about 2 minutes. The pressure relieves stress.
Squeeze, press hands together, rub fingers, and interlace fingers for 2 minutes to relieve stress.
Push hands up on the underside of your desk for 3 seconds and release; repeat.
Lean on desk/table with your forearms, release the pressure; repeat.
Interlock thumb and forefinger of each hand, like a link, pull. Do this with each set of fingers.
Sitting, put your hands on your legs and press down. Let your arms go floppy. Take a deep breath.
Repeat: hands on legs, press, floppy, breath. Do this five times.
Or how about:
Keep a special worry stone/item in your pocket to hold on to and focus on.
Keep a special picture/quote on your binder to look at and focus on.
Look up breathing exercises.. Do yoga.
Visual learner - Look up autogenic relaxation
Take a walk; include up and down stairs or an incline.
For those of you whose evil twin perfectionist is getting in your way:
Divide the tasks at hand into small, manageable steps. Praise yourself, every little step of the way!
Compare yourself to......YOURSELF. Are you doing better this week than last week?
Let go of the perfectionist. Go for 90% or 80%. "The world will not end when you're not perfect."
Develop tolerance - for others....for yourself.
"Learn to see life in all its shades. Learn to think in gradations."
Catch yourself when you think something like, "I totally blew it." Guess what - it's rarely total. What part did you blow? What part did you do well?
Remember your senses..including balance and humor. Laugh, learn to let others laugh.
Put words to what you are afraid of. Share these with your guidance counselor.
Google "overcoming perfectionism." You are not the only one!
