Stop Stressing - Building Your Support Team

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Stop Stressing - Building Your Support Team

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There are many ways that we can allow others to help and

encourage us in our efforts. The ultimate responsibility may

come down on our shoulders, but that doesn't mean we're

islands that have to stand entirely on our own. Families,

friends, and oddly enough even entire strangers can be an

amazing resource in our efforts to de-stress our lives.

Here, we focus on some of the ways we can build a strong

support group as we endeavor to kick the stress habit.

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Distribution Date and Time: 2010-04-16 10:30:00

Written By: Larry Tobin

Copyright: 2010

Contact Email: mailto:larry.tobin@...

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Stop Stressing - Building Your Support Team

Copyright © 2010 Larry Tobin

Habit Changer

http://www.HabitChanger.com/

One of the most difficult facts about building strong habits is

that so much of it lies directly on our shoulders. We have to

exercise the willpower to reduce the influence of stress in our

lives; we have to make the choices that will help us feel better

at the end of the day. However, many of us focus so much on this

challenge that we forget that there are other people in our lives

willing to help us, if we just let them.

There are many ways that we can allow others to help and

encourage us in our efforts. The ultimate responsibility may come

down on our shoulders, but that doesn't mean we're islands that

have to stand entirely on our own. Families, friends, and oddly

enough even entire strangers can be an amazing resource in our

efforts to de-stress our lives. Here, we focus on some of the

ways we can build a strong support group as we endeavor to kick

the stress habit.

Step 1 - Don't Be Embarrassed

There is no shame at all in asking for help with a problem.

Houses are built by large teams, cars are designed by groups, and

town councils usually have more than one member. A big enough

project will benefit from having outside help, so there's no

harm in asking for a little of it. After all, wouldn't you feel

honored and pleased if your friends came to you for your help and

advice?

As you decide who you want to ask for help, take the following

habit building step if you feel embarrassed or worried about

asking for help. Remind yourself of something you've done to

help someone else and recognize that this is no different. Affirm

that it's not a weakness to ask for help with something

important. Do this every time you need to ask for help, and in

time it will be part of the healthy habit of seeking out others'

support.

Step 2 - Start Close

Easy steps are the best way to build a new, strong habit. Having

to bend and wrack yourself to bring a new element into your life

is a surefire way to get discouraged, so it's best to start

where you feel comfortable. For the first member of your support

group, choose someone you already trust with things you need help

with. A friend you're used to talking to or a family member you

confide in regularly is a great choice because the connection

will feel natural. This will help the habit grow naturally,

instead of being forced into your life.

Step 3 - Rely on Experience

Again, there's no sense in making more work for yourself than

necessary. The goal is to reduce stress, not increase it! When

picking out your stress support team, consider asking for help

from someone who has dealt with stress themselves, or may even be

dealing with it now. Their insights will give you a fresh angle

on things, and you will both be able to share that sense of

camaraderie that comes with mutual understanding of a problem.

Step 4 - Keep it Light, and Be Flexible

Remember that your support group isn't your life-instructor.

They're friends you've chosen to help you as you deal with your

problem, not to deal with it for you. Don't feel you have to

talk to them nonstop about everything. Instead, set up a time to

talk once or twice a week. This will give you time to build up

things to talk about, so the conversations can be more varied and

dynamic, but will also be frequent enough not to leave you

hanging when needed.

As you speak to your support friends, remember to keep the

conversation flexible as well. If you need to talk to them about

things that are stressing you and worrying you, do so. Getting it

out can help matters, and let you talk through to solutions. On

the other hand, sometimes the best therapy is just a friendly

conversation about the newest movie or a great book you've both

read. Talk about what feels natural, and most relaxing for you,

instead of feeling you have to focus on talking points.

Step 5 - Help Your Team Grow

Numbers aren't everything, and bigger may not always be better,

but you want your support group to grow beyond an initial one or

two people. Different people have different experiences that you

can draw upon, and having an assortment of confidantes who can

help you out is of greater benefit than relying solely on one

person.

Consider adding a new link in your support chain each week for

the next two months. Sixty days is the upper limit of a good

habit building timeline, so by the time you've gathered these

eight helpers around you, you'll be very used to seeking out

their advice and the whole process will feel very second nature.

And once you've acquired these habits, you will have an even

stronger network of friends to form a lifelong safety net against

stress.. Good luck, and healthy habits to you.

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Larry Tobin is the co-creator of

http://www.HabitChanger.com/ offering effective

and empowering solutions for losing weight.

Try our 42-day weight loss program at:

http://www.habitchanger.com/losingweight