I have major issues with freaking out, stressing out, getting worked up over nothing. I get upset when I have to go to Seattle. When the kids spill water on the floor. Which is not a big deal at all. I get upset when I think someone is mad at me and when I have four posts due the next day and it’s nine o’clock at night.

Why I get upset over posts that are due is crazy in my mind because I didn’t get paid, the sponsor might have sent me a product to review. Most of the time they are giveaways that I set up. I asked if I could give their product away, because I’m addicted to the traffic that it brings my blog.

I hate offending people. I worry all the time that people are upset at me. I hate confrontation. I just want to hide my head under a pillow and wish the tension away. So I freak out instead because hiding doesn’t work. So I’m a worrier, a people pleaser, a stressor and I over react.

What should I do?

The Expert:

Marlise focuses on rebooting people by experiencing The Simplicity of Stillness.  After a series of profound experiences shifted her perception of life, Marlise developed simple methods for people everywhere to reboot themselves so the journey of life can be more enjoyable.

offers Five Tips for Living Life Well: (living without freaking out!)

#1:  Breathe Into the Moment

In the midst of a busy day, take a few moments to find stillness.  Slow your pace, breathe deep, and refocus your attention away from the mind-chatter.  Instead, reflect on what is most meaningful to you in life, and carry those inspirational thoughts with you throughout your day.      

#2: Take Inspired Action

Being in constant reaction mode will leave you feeling exhausted & unfulfilled. After taking a moment of reflection and stillness, follow through with the necessary steps to achieve the goals you set forth for the day.  If a disruption occurs, acknowledge it and look for a solution, rather than allowing it to derail you.  Notice how your new focus helps you to stay on track with greater ease.

#3:  Water Your Garden

Truly acknowledge the people in your life for the value they bring to you and the world. As with a garden, relationships need to be nurtured and appreciated.  With even a sprinkling, the relationship will bloom – and the beauty of what is given will return to you tenfold.

#4 Be Aware of Your Attitude

Notice how you feel and how you radiate those feelings outward.  If you have a positive attitude, people will not only gravitate to you, but it might even help change the attitude of others from negative to positive.  If you are projecting love, generosity and hope, others may follow your lead.  Realize how what you give comes back to you!

#5 Make Choices

Acknowledge that you have the ability to make choices that will keep you moving forward toward your overall vision, rather than letting other people, or life’s circumstances distract you from staying focused on what matters most.  Choose what moves you toward your goals that give you the greatest rewards – inside and out.

“People are running at a hundred miles an hour, racing with the clock, trying to squeeze in ways to stay healthy and fit,” said Marlise Karlin. “It’s important to realize it only takes a few minutes a day to completely reboot ourselves by nurturing both mind & body to become more balanced and healthy.”

The Bloggers:

Victoria from Life Staring Ellie and Eve:

If I am stressing about something I generally just put everything away and do something that I want to do: read a book, take a shower, paint my toes, take a nap.  Something that doesn’t have to do with business, kids, blogging, or cleaning.

Trisha from MomDot:

I don’t bother panicking about anything ever. First of all..its a waste of energy. If i have that much time to put into being upset, I have time to fix the problem. Second, nothing lasts forever but death. So unless someone died, its just not that important.

Heather from Maternal Spark:

After the mental agony I went through when Hannah was born – nothing phases me anymore.  I try and think about the event in a big picture kind of way.  Like, in relation to having my family safe and happy – how does this issue fit in.  Most of the time that comparison makes what ever event this is feel as minute as a grain of rice and I can then focus on fixing the problem.

Trisha From Sweet n Sassy Girls:

Usually when I start freaking out about something, I step back, take a deep breath, and put it in perspective.  Over time it has caused me to not freak out about a lot of things.  Everything happens for some reason, and it’s up to us to learn from all our experiences.

AJ from A Nutty Mom:

I try to not worry or freak out over things I can’t control. If I can I figure out how to fix it. Those times I do freak out…I clean. Yup, I’m a cleaning machine when I’m stressed, angry or freaking out. LOL

Clarissa from The Posh Parent:

I tend to panic a lot–when I feel it coming on I walk away from the situation and talk to my kiddos…change the subject or just go to the Dollar Tree and spend $5! LOL Retail therapy always does the trick for me!

Amber from Miracles on Mama Street:

I’m a people pleaser, so I tend to stress out if I feel I did something wrong.
I work out.

 

Sing in the car as loud as I can.
I call a friend.

Christy from The Write Gal:

Ever since my Dad died in Jan. at age 66 honestly I have stopped agonizing over stuff. Life is way too short and it is just wasted energy. Sorry-I don’t feel like I helped you. I do suggest retail therapy if you are stressed.

Lisa from The Crazy Adventures in Parenting:

I clean. Something about taking it out on grime helps LOL

Laura from Household Treasures:

I tell myself I’m overreacting and to chill- even if I’m convinced I’m not [this has got to be why my maid of honor- a wedding planner- told me I was the coolest bride she's dealt with!]. My whole pregnancy I told myself it was the hormones over reacting and to act ‘normal’. It worked… some of the time
My hubby’s also a great sounding board… even if he doesn’t respond it feels good to talk about it.

What I agree with

As my grandmother is always telling me “don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff”. I know this, yes, I know it’s a waist of time to stress. I know it would be better to do something useful. I try, I do. People are just made differently.

I love to spend money as a way to relieve stress, so does my sister and my husband. Retail therapy is wonderful, but how often is a big pain in the budget.

I try very hard to have a positive attitude. My children have a public appearance and I try to have one as well. I do however; consider myself to be extremely naturally carefree. So most of the time I really don’t care and I’m not worked up, it’s just those occasional times, I freak out and can’t deal. So I’m going to try harder to stop and take a breath and do something else, like read a book.

Thank you to all of the bloggers that contributed to this article.