WHAT TO DO WHEN CHALLENGES OCCUR

MOST OF US FEEL STRESS AND GET OVERWHELMED NOT BECAUSE

WE'RE TAKING ON TO MUCH, BUT BECAUSE WE'RE TAKING ON

TO LITTLE OF WHAT REALLY STRENGTHENS US.

In most cases, new habits are successful at first. It is definitely easier when motivation and enthusiasm are high. However there are distractions that can make these new habits we formed more challenging. Vacations, illnesses, and other unforeseen circumstances can result in a few days of not putting our new habits into action suddenly turning into weeks.

CONSIDER THESE STRATEGIES TO GET PAST THE HURDLES WHEN IMPLEMENTING YOUR NEW HABITS:

1) HAVE A CONTINGENCY PLAN. If you normally run after work, have a back-up plan in case it's raining or you have to work late.

Consider the potential obstacles to each habit and create solutions to deal

with them effectively.

Have a back-up plan ready to go before you need it.

2) MAKE A LIST OF YOUR NEGATIVE TRIGGERS. Negative triggers are things that distract you from your new behaviors. It might be a particular friend that focuses on negative topics. Perhaps flipping through the channels before bedtime leads to you watching a movie until 2:00 AM.

3) MANAGE YOUR EXPECTATIONS. Expecting too much, too soon, can have negative consequences. It isn't necessary to be perfect. A FEW SLIP-UPS AREN'T A REASON TO GET UPSET AND DISCARD YOUR NEW ROUTINE. Expect to experience a few challenges.

Avoid putting too much pressure on yourself. Giving a task to much emphasis can make it appear less appealing.

4) START OVER EVEN SMALLER. If you're consistently struggling, start over at the beginning. But this time, make it easier on yourself. Maybe 30 minutes of exercise is too overwhelming at the beginning. Start with one minute. Even though one minute of exercise doesn't have a lot of practical value, it makes getting to 2 minutes of exercise a little easier.

TAKING SMALL STEPS AND MAKING ADJUSTMENTS CAN ENSURE YOUR LONG-TERM SUCCESS!

Let me help you to succeed!

Tara Genusa

Stress Coach/COR.E Wellbeing Dynamics Specialist

Stressreliefsolutions.net

tara@stressreliefsolutions.net