Managing Stress #3 Commit to translating the thought to deed.

Step 2: Commit to translating the thought to deed.

Deciding to change, and then doing nothing about it is the same as ‘doing nothing about it.’ If you are serious about changing your life you have to commit to the idea. That means embracing the frightening possibility that you don’t know how it will turn out. It means taking a leap into the unknown. Well, do you want to change or not? If you are happy being where you are, just continue doing the same stuff. Otherwise, you are going to have to embrace the change.

Sure, it’s frightening. So what? We all live with a bit of fear. Our victories are found by getting past those fears. It’s fine to be afraid - it certainly doesn’t have to stop you.

Step 3: Start small…But Start Now!

Einstein said ’Nothing happens till something moves.’ My son, Lance, said “Stand still and die”, just before he nailed me with his paint ball gun. The human body and the human mind demands motion.

However small, even if you’ve never exercised, this is important. Even if it is a 20 minute walk at lunch time, it means actually doing it.

If you are already exercising, it means stepping it up a notch (assuming you are not obsessively in the gym 4 or 5 hours a day). At Vancouver Hypnotherapy Inc., we suggest at least a 15% increase in physical exercise in a typical week, as you get past depression issues. The increase has to be sustainable and beneficial.

If you are looking for ways to exercise the list below is one that has proven very valuable and successful for clients.

Exercise ideas:

1. The evening walk (every evening). Listen to a pod cast, or your Ipod, but commit to doing it every evening for a couple of weeks.

2. Yoga. Two classes a week, if you’ve never done it. Don’t wait for a beginners class (you need sol,utions NOW) - just jump right in. Ask for a hatha yoga class, or go to hot yoga, if that appeals.

3. Get into the local swimming pool. Many recreation centers have a good pool, a hot tub and a sauna. Use all three once or twice a week.

4. Ballroom dancing. Do a beginners drop in lesson. Even go as far as taking a friend. It’s pushing both the physical and psychological comfort levels for many people, but this is the kind of thing that will move you to a happier place if you embrace it.

5. Cycle to work. Take a shirt to wear once their if you work up too much of a sweat.

You are going to have to do something - make a choice and go with it. Don’t delay, this is something that has to happen right away.