I have recently joined the Athena Network, an inspirational networking organisation for women in business. The meetings are supportive as well as practical - check it out. There is bound to a group near you.

At our lunch this week the talk was inevitably about the alleged recession, how it was affecting us individually and what we could do to protect ourselves from its effects on our own lives.
As you know, I am already working with people who have been affected by redudancy or unplanned early retirement to help them change what may seem a body blow into an opportunity to set off on a new exciting road.

Many people out there who are still in a job will also be being affected by stress. Maybe they are in a role they dislike or find unfulfilling but are scared to seek a change in the uncertain economic climate. Or perhaps they are being put under ever increasing pressure to deliver in the wake of staff cuts. Whatever the situation, more and more people are experiencing increased stress which can be so detrimental to health so I am pleased to offer you my Ten Top Tips for Stress Reduction in your busy life:

1. Write down the things that are worrying you. If you are harbouring resentful or angry feelings, write them down and (safely) burn or shred the paper. This extra step will increase the purging therapeutic effect.

2. Keep things in perspective. Ask yourself, “What’s the worst thing that can happen?” It’s seldom a matter of life and death!

3. Stop what you’re doing and focus on your breathing. Observe the breath entering and leaving your body. Can you feel it brushing your lip? Can you feel you chest rising a falling? Notice other sensations in your body. Bring them into your awareness and observe them. Let tension leave tight muscles as you breathe out.

4. As you being to feel more relaxed, try a visualisation. Maybe you can imagine walking along beside a wide, gently flowing river. Hear the breeze in the trees, the song of the birds, the water rippling by, see the white clouds scudding across the blue summer sky, feel the warm sun on your shoulders. Maybe there is the scent of pines or flowers in the air. As you walk, put your hands into your pockets and pull out one by one the rocks you are carrying which are weighing you down. Throw them far out into the river, watching the ripples spread as the stones disappear one by one without trace. When you have thrown the last rock into the river as far out as you can, walk on feeling lighter and freer than you have felt for a very long time. Once again, enjoy your beautiful, relaxing surroundings until you feel ready to come back and be present in the present.

5. Take some exercise, a brisk walk, punch the punch bag at the gym. Exercise is a great way of getting rid of anger and tension.

6. Take a moment to write down three good things that have happened to you today. Did someone make you smile? Did you have an easy journey to work? It’s so easy to focus on all the negative stuff and block out the positive. Make a conscious effort to bring positive to mind.

7. Remember, What we resist persists. Focus on what you do want, not on all the stuff you don’t want.

8. Learn to say, “No”. Or, if not “no”, then at least, “Yes, but not right now”. Your time is valuable. You are valuable. Don’t overload yourself just to please others. You will be the only one to lose.

9. Get involved in a voluntary activity to help others. You will feel good and develop a sense of belonging and being appreciated which is so important to a flagging self esteem.

10. Plan a treat for yourself – a meal out, a massage, an evening with good friends. Something to look forward to just for you. To coin a very hackneyed phrase, “You deserve it”.