“People who are resilient tend to be more positive and optimistic compared to less-resilient folks; they are better able to regulate their emotions; and they are able to maintain their optimism through the most trying circumstances.
Resilient people also respond to adversity by appealing to a wider range of emotions … resilient people reported the same amount of anxiety as less resilient people … [but] they also revealed more happiness, interest, and eagerness toward the problem. For resilient people, high levels of positive emotions exist side-by-side with negative emotions.”
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The Benefits of Optimism are Real | TheAtlantic.com | 3.1.13
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“If the stress is short-lived, you can heal quickly and still have enough energy left over to repair everyday wear and tear, like a scratch or a bruise. It’s like when you decide to tidy up a room for 10 minutes and end up in the midst of a full-on spring cleaning—your body goes into a kind of self-repair overdrive … low-intensity stress could actually help extend your life.”
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Good Stress: There is Such a Thing | WomensHealthMag.com | 2.26.13
“Millennials and Generation Xers share a common trait: They’re the most stressed-out generations. According to the Stress in America study released last week, 18- to 33-year-olds and 34- to 47-year-olds report an average stress level of 5.4 on a 10-point scale, compared with the national average of 4.9. The report indicated that Americans define a healthy stress level as 3.6.”
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Most stressed-out generations in America: Millennials and Gen X | PRDaily.com | 2.13.13
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Stress proof your life: 52 brilliant ideas for taking control by Elisabeth Wilson
“…for some people, rest and relaxation is a scary thing. They freak out while chilling out. The phenomenon, known as relaxation-induced anxiety, happens when people become anxious as a result of being relaxed. While it sounds contradictory, activities such as exercise, listening to music, or taking a vacation trigger anxious feelings.”
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Chilling out no help for those with relaxation-induced anxiety | NBCNews.com | 12.12.12
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“Indeed, more than two-third of employees claim high stress levels, and 29 percent are too stressed to be effective at work on five or more days per year, reports the annual StressPulse (SM) survey by ComPsych Corporation, the world’s largest provider of employee assistance programs. As the economy continues to sputter, organizations are still doing more with less — and that can take a toll on workers. Employees are reaching a point of unprecedented burnout.”
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Stressed Out? You’re Not Alone | Entrepreneur.com | 10.9.12
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“…it appears that one common source of stress — our jobs — could be having damaging effects on critical DNA in our cells. And that could lead to early aging, and the diseases and conditions that go along with it. A study led by Kirsi Ahola of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health measured the length of DNA sections called telomeres and how the lengths varied in association with job stress. It found that people with the most job stress tended to have shorter telomeres.“
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Your stressful job is indeed aging you, study confirms | Today Health | 7.27.12
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Leah Etling says it’s possible to move without stress. Check out her tips and leave a comment with some of your own.
Few tasks in everyday life are more stress-filled than the idea of packing up all your worldly possessions and moving. But this is a great chance to maximize organization in your new apartment.
Work the process backwards so you can get happily settled in your new place, making it the best organized home you’ve ever lived in.
Where to start:
Today
So, you’ve decided that you’ll be moving to a new place. You probably haven’t decided where you’re going yet, but you are going to give notice to your landlord and start your rental search.
You might think it’s too early to pack or get organized, but, in fact, the time to start that work is now.
- For the first two weeks prior to the move date, you should spend 15 minutes to 1 hour working on cleaning, culling and organization daily.
- Make it a goal to rid yourself of all clothing that you haven’t worn in the last year and all household items that you haven’t used or enjoyed in the last 9 months.
- If you’d like to make some cash from your unwanted possessions, plan a garage sale for two weeks prior to your move.
- Don’t have enough stuff to sell on your own? Knock on a few nearby neighbors’ doors and ask if they want to participate, too.
- Don’t want to take the time to do this? Donate to charity – this will leave you feeling good about helping others and further reduce stress.
As you sort through your things, you’ll start feeling more organized. During this process, categorize everything, using designated bins for items that logically go together. Keep a notepad handy and make an approximate count of how many boxes it will take to move the things you’re keeping.
Two weeks out
Now it’s time to plan the move itself. By now you should have found your new place.
- You may need to rent a van or a truck, so make reservations for that service today.
- Hiring a professional team? Call around for several quotes to make sure you’re getting a good deal.
- If you’re using volunteer labor, line up their services now. Be sure to bribe them with dinner or drinks and call in any favors from the last time you helped someone else move.
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- Check the weather and make sure you won’t be moving in pouring rain, snow, or extreme heat.
- And, line up a cleaning service to professionally clean your place after you vacate.
- Procure your boxes since you’ll be packing soon. Always get more than you think you need.
Ten days out from move day
Time to start packing. Just as you did with the culling and organization process, work on this every day.
- By two days before the move, you should be down to only your essential possessions that need to be packed.
- Clearly label each box with what’s inside and what room it belongs in. This will help maximize the efficiency of your movers or volunteers.
The big day
Get a good night’s sleep before the move and be up early to pick up your rented van or greet your moving team. Now it’s all about manual labor. Be sure that, as the organizer of your move, you are pitching in to help – no one likes a friend who orders them around and doesn’t carry boxes, too.
Working smartly will further reduce your stress. Your biggest challenge will be at your new place. Optimize your storage areas to make sure your new home can be as efficient as possible.
Congrats – you’ve moved stress free!
About The Author
Leah Etling is an apartment lifestyle blogger for the RENTCafe blog. RENTCafe offers a great way to find a new apartment anywhere in the U.S. and also offers local event, neighborhood, and home design tips.
“According to the American Psychological Association, stress can result in headache, muscle tension, muscle pain, chest pain, fatigue, upset stomach, insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, lack of motivation, lack of focus, irritability, depression, eating problems, addiction … and social withdrawal. Yow!”
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6 Easy Ways to Reduce Stress | Inc.com | 4.16.12
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“The stress management technique that worked best, according to the survey: planning. In other words, “fighting stress before it even starts, planning things rather than letting them happen,” says Epstein. “That means planning your day, your year and your life so that stress is minimized.”
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Plan Your Way to Less Stress, More Happiness | Time. com | 5.31.11
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Did you ever use flash cards as a kid? I did. I have to admit that I didn’t like them very much. But that’s me. You might like them a whole lot. Or, maybe you haven’t tried them yet. Thank me later, but here’s your chance to try them out.
Why? Because they can imprint really important data on your brain and help you remember the little and big things. Like the things you love. Things that make you feel spectacular. You-things.
These mini “me-lists” are a great way to pull yourself out of the dumps and remember how to stay in sync. On track. Feeling good. Making these cards are definitely worth the time and effort. The pay off is big – not just for you – but everyone around you, too.
So, let’s practice.
Supplies you need:
1. Index cards (any color will do) or your favorite notebook
2. Sharpies or your fave pen/pencil
3. Open mind
Write down at least 3 things or people that make you feel:
1. Motivated
2. Inspired
3. De-stressed or calm
4. Rejuvenated
5. Smiley and happy Psst! If it’s a person that makes you feel giddy or giggly, give ‘em a call!
Why?
Because everybody needs a pick-me-up once in a while. When those times come around, why waste time scratching your head (unless it itches)? Grab your mini-lists, make a decision to change your mood, and kick stress in the arse. Simply follow your notes to get to a better (or productive or interesting or fabulous or insert your own adjective) day.
Remember, stress is like dust. It keeps coming back.
But, if you have tools in your arsenal, you’ll come out on the winning side every time.
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