Stress-free Life !

Some of my friends who follow me on Facebook asked if at all I have any worries or problems ! The reason for the query was that my posts on FB are always about having joy, fun and entertainment with family and friends :).  It does not mean that I don't have any problems. I do have some and some new ones keep coming up and I am sure that would be the case for all of us !

My approach to a problem is to first try and overcome it; if not possible, I look at ways to mitigate it; if that is not possible, I try to manage it; and if nothing works, I just carry on with my life !  No point in worrying and developing stress about something that I can't do anything with !

And I don't share my problems in FB or any other means, because it will send a negative vibe to my friends and family. I just want to remain positive and want everyone around me to stay positive and motivated !

Talking about managing stress brings the memories of my first NZ Trade Commissioner in New Delhi. He was a great human and a highly talented leader ! I first found out that he was not good at managing stress when we got a message from Wellington that our monthly report for March 1989 was not received by them. He was very tense and deeply worried. His face became red showing the stress building in him. I asked him to stay cool. We did not have a fax at that time (not to talk about computers and emails) - perhaps I am sounding like I was born ages ago or one that lived in the Stone Age :).

We used a telex machine then. Every month when I sent out a report, I kept the perforated white tape (something the current generation would not have seen) containing the report until the next month's report was sent. I did it exactly for the same situation like the one Tony and I faced. I took out the tape and sent it off again by telex. Wellington confirmed receipt this time.  I could see him slowly getting back to normal.

Unfortunately, at the young age of 43, he died of a massive heart attack in 1993 I think while working out in a gym in Seoul while he was the NZ Senior Trade Commissioner in South Korea. While the news was shocking to me, the first thing that came to my mind was his inability to stay cool while under a stress.  The second thing that came to my mind was his practice of doing physical exercises 'irregularly' !  I used to tell him while he was in New Delhi that he should either exercise regularly (not necessarily daily, but a routine like 4 times a week) or don't do, but his excuse was that he was too busy and so he went to the gym when he had the time i.e. irregularly !

Some simple tips for a stress-free life :

* Stay cool :). That means we should have our own time daily, say about 30 minutes - going for a walk; deep breathing; listening to music; or simply reflecting on memories by looking at photos.

* Regularity in any physical exercise, even if it is just a 20 minute walk ! At least 4 times a week if not daily.

* Living our life the way we want, the way we love, the way we do things and enjoy doing so - without trying to meet the expectations of the so called society :).

* Surround ourself with people who are positive; who love us and who make us happy.

* No overthinking.