Roberta Macdonald

Anger and Stress Management

Christmas: A Time for Healing

December 22, 2009 By: Roberta Category: Uncategorized

Christmas Eve and the Christmas dinner may be “tests” on our patience and on our acceptance of those sitting around the table.  We may love them but we may not like them very well and they can tell because we show it. It may be our tone of voice or the “edge” in our voice.  We may be remembering past hurts and unresolved issues that we…and others…bring to the table. Our families are irritating, wonderful, obnoxious, and interesting. However, our family members are real and deserving of one day of peace around the Christmas dinner.  You can give that to them by choosing…for one day…to remember the fun, funny and enjoyable moments of the past–not the bad memories.  Focus on what you like about “Aunt Martha”–for one day–be   in the present–not in the past–at least for one day.  When you respond in a more positive way you will get a different (and better) response.   Let go. Let it be. Enjoy–and let the healing begin!

10 Ways to be Calm

November 22, 2009 By: Roberta Category: Uncategorized

(1)  Let go of the control of others but be 100% in charge of yourself.

(2) Lower your voice – speak softly but not in a whisper.  Let your breath be even when you talk.

(3) Breathe slowly and deeply, inhale through your nose and out your mouth until the old breath is “replaced” with new.

(4) Close your eyes and “look” for a color.  The color you see will be an indicator of your stress level:  Black: very stressed; Green: at peace; Blue: feel loved.

(5)When you are upset/stressed/angry you need to be alone.  Step away, step out of the problem.  Choose to disentangle.  Let go of being “right”. Be alone to let go of the emotional “electric charge” and return when you are clamer. “Rule of the Universe (should be):  When I am angry, I am alone”.

(6)  Slow, deep breathing is like a safe “Valium” to your body/mind.  Your nervous system will respond when trained.  Your mind needs to be trained first.  When stressed, angry or upset:  train your mind to go to a peaceful place and take 30 slow, deep breaths.  You will be asleep before the 30th as your mind becomes a good student.

(7) When stressed, write down who and what is the stressor and “brain storm” answers.  Put as many “answers” as you can – randomly- no sentences–just words all over the page.

(8)  When stressed, begin to train your mind to let go of thoughts.  Say a nonsensical word like: “so-hum” or any two syllable word that has no meaning.    Breathe in and think “so” and breathe out and think “hum“.  This is a mind-clearing technique that works if you use it.

(9) Worry is a bad habit, a waste of time as most worries don’t materialize.  It is a negative use of your imagination.  Worry is negative prayer –a lack of faith in the Universe, God, Higher Power –whatever you believe–. It is a very fatalistic view of yourself and Life.  If you focus on what you worry about you will, unconsciously, draw the worry to you (to be resolved).

(10) Each day give yourself at least ten –10 minute “little joyful moments” as I call them.  Little things that make you smile.  It doesn’t have to be big–making your granddaughter laugh, giving someone a piece of your homemade pie, going  to your favorite place and meeting a friend, talking with a friend, reading a good book, etc.  Just do it!

Happy Holidays!  Roberta

Excuse Me, You Seem to be Stressed: A 3 Hour Stress Management Workshop Overview

October 31, 2009 By: Roberta Category: Anger Management, Stress Management

We need stress help that we can use every day with  little stressors and those unexpected big ones.  We shouldn’t wait until we are overwhelmed and ready to explode.  The “Excuse Me, You Seem to Be Stressed” Stress Management Workshop will be held on Tuesday, November 17 from 6:30-9:30 pm at Bellevue College, North Campus, Room W266.  The cost is $49.

Some of the benefits of attending this workshop are:

*  Be able to handle stress without internalizing it

* Learn new ways to solve old problems that cause stress

* Find release from the clutter, chaos and conflicts

* Be uplifted from the positive energy environment

* Enjoyable and meaningful interactions

* Support from like-minded people wanting change

* Inspiring and motivating information and tools

Hope you can join me on Tuesday,  November 17th.  I will be your Instructor/Facilitator.

Roberta

Stress During the Holidays

October 27, 2009 By: Roberta Category: Stress Management, Stress Solutions

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