Breathe

I was looking through the Dr. Oz website and found something that caught my attention. My life these days consist of stress, stress, and more stress. I've been meaning to work on that. really... I have. When I came across his Ultimate Stress Reduction Plan, I figured it couldn't hurt to try.

Day 1: Easing into the Plan

To ease into the first day, follow these 4 simple Day 1 rules: Start a gratitude journal and write in it for 5 minutes each day, even if you’re just jotting down 3 things for which you are grateful. People who stop and take note of what is right in their lives are more active, healthier and more resilient in times of stress.

Take 10 slow, deep conscious breaths this morning and evening.Smile when you make eye contact with another person. It will make you BOTH feel better.

Here are my 3 things I'm grateful for:

1. I own a car (This may not seem like a big thing to some, but I didn't have a car for 4 years. It made getting anywhere and everywhere difficult at times, so it's a big thing for me)

2. I'm finally saving some money. For the first time in a long time I have money in a savings account and it feels GOOOOOD!!!

3. I'm grateful to have a roof over my head. I have to be honest, this isn't something I would have thought much about in the past. It's not that I'm heartless and don't care about other people. I just never really thought about it... I took it for granted. With everything happening lately with Haiti and Chile, I can honestly say that I now think a lot about how lucky I am to have a house, a bed, four walls, and heat.

Anyway... gotta go. it's time for my "10 slow, deep conscious breaths"!

Join me again tomorrow for my Day 2 steps.