Work at Home Productivity Tips –

After a particularly busy (and enjoyable) month, I am finding myself a little stressed this morning because the end result has been that I've fallen behind.

Nothing fails to give me anxiety like falling behind! 

Anxiety and panic attacks are no fun.

Sometimes, as our life takes on the stress of a home based business, we can have symptoms and not even realize that they are not 'us'… and that there are things we can do about them.

I find that this happens to me sometimes when things are especially hectic, and I wake up to find that everything I have carefully put in place has somehow fallen apart – overnight of course! 

The first step is recognizing the signs. 

Anxiety and panic disorders can be overwhelming conditions, and many of us suffer from them at one time or the other.

Not everyone is the same, but these are some of the most common symptoms:

1.    A feeling of your heart racing, or that you can’t breathe normally

2.    Uncontrollable fears of things like crowded places, driving, or being in a position where you may have to converse in front of a group of people

3.    The strong belief that something bad and disastrous will happen if things are not done in an exact and precise way

4.    The inability to concentrate and the feeling of your mind wandering

5.    Repetitive movements, such as walking around the same area over and over again, or repetitively twitching your fingers or toes

6.    A feeling of doom, like something bad is getting ready to happen to you. You may feel like an accident, heart attack, or even death is impending, ready to happen at any moment.

7.    Numbness in your hands, fingers, toes, and legs, or feeling like you can’t stand up

8.    Trouble swallowing or unusual dry mouth episodes

9.    Fear of people around you and the desire to be alone

10. The inability to even leave your home

11.    Normal activities you’re always involved in become overwhelming to you

If you find that some or all of these symptoms are part of your normal state of being, you are not living your life to it's fullest, or best.

There are things that you can do!

A FEW TIPS TO REDUCE WORK AT HOME STRESS 

1 – Reduce, cut back, put the brakes on. Many times we think that we can't. That feeling of being out of control is a large part of our anxiety. It's important to get rid of what ever you can right away so that you will have time to tackle those things that are causing you anxiety. Sometimes you can just remove them and never have to deal with them anymore.

2 – Exercise. If you are not exercising regularly, it's time to get up and move that booty. And you can do it at any age. Exercise releases all kinds of endorphins and wonderful things that will make you feel better, sometimes instantly. Get out and go for a nice walk in nature, it's a great therapist, and it's cheap too! 

3 – What are you eating? If you are eating too many 'dead foods', the guilt alone is probably causing a huge swell of anxiety. Get rid of the crackers, cookies, chips etc and get some nice, organic fruits and veggies in the house. Start working green smoothies into your diet.  You will start feeling a difference right away. NOTE: You have to be sure to add the green – baby spinach, mixed leaves, kale, watercress and parsley are all excellent choices. Rotate them so that you don't get too much of the same. 

4 – Mingle. Chances are that all of the stress you are feeling is not unusual. Check out some work at home forums and touch base with others in your position. You will probably be surprised at the support you receive and how much better you feel.

5 –  Take time for you and your family. Spend time in nature and doing things you love. Gardening is one of the best activities for this that I know of, even if your take on gardening is nurturing one indoor plant. Center yourself at all times in what ever way possible. Don't forget your roots. Don't scatter your energy 'out there', breath deeply and come into yourself when ever possible. That translates into a focused calm, where being scattered in mind, activity and energy will deplete you eventually.

These could be considered relaxation techniques. If you are stressed, making a concrete effort to relax may sound like a contradiction, but it really does help.

THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP

ACCEPTANCE: In today's world, we all seem to be running like lemmings to be the first to the perfection finish line. There is so much to do, so much to be, and we must keep up with the Jone's at all costs.

Unless your name is Jone's, don't sweat it. Set your own pace. Remember that NOBODY is perfect, even if they do manage to perfect the facade of perfection. 

Do the best you can, and that's all that you need to do.

Let go of all of the rest and enjoy your life. Love is the ultimate stress reducer, take the time give love, to feel good about it and watch the stress fade.

In the end, that's all you really need to do. 

WHAT IF YOU CAN'T HELP YOURSELF?

Sometimes it takes more than just your own efforts when life gets too overwhelming, or there may even be a physical cause.

If you've tried the above and nothing seems to be giving you relief, it wouldn't hurt to go talk to someone. Maybe there are a few issues that you need to resolve that are coming out in busyness and overwhelm.

Understanding your condition may be your best bet to overcoming your panic attacks. Once you understand why these things are happening to you, you’ll be better informed and able do something to relieve them.

One caution, be sure to go to someone who doesn't hand out pills like candy. Most of them are dangerously addictive and can destroy lives. I've personally seen this happen and it isn't something to be taken lightly. In fact it is a serious problem.

I had counselling at one period of my life and have thanked my lucky stars many times over that she didn't prescribe anything for me when I asked about it after finding myself with a budding codeine addiction after taking pain killers from the dentist!  

Just something to be aware of, but nothing to stress about :0)