{"id":205,"date":"2013-06-20T06:02:09","date_gmt":"2013-06-20T06:02:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/momsnetwork.com\/workathomeblog\/?p=205"},"modified":"2013-07-12T06:10:23","modified_gmt":"2013-07-12T06:10:23","slug":"stressful-times-tips-to-get-you-through-the-rough-patches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/momsnetwork.com\/workathomeblog\/2013\/06\/20\/stressful-times-tips-to-get-you-through-the-rough-patches\/","title":{"rendered":"Stressful Times&#8211;Tips to Get You Through the Rough Patches"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0 <\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p align=\"center\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">&nbsp;<script type=\"text\/javascript\"><!--\ngoogle_ad_client = \"pub-3923845094689161\";\ngoogle_ad_width = 468;\ngoogle_ad_height = 60;\ngoogle_ad_format = \"468x60_as\";\ngoogle_ad_type = \"text\";\ngoogle_ad_channel =\"\";\ngoogle_color_border = \"FFFFFF\";\ngoogle_color_bg = \"FFFFFF\";\ngoogle_color_link = \"000880\";\ngoogle_color_url = \"000880\";\ngoogle_color_text = \"000000\";\n\/\/--><\/script><br \/>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\n  src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p align=\"center\"><strong>Are You Okay?: Caring for Yourself in the Midst of Stress<\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Marla Tomazin shares seven strategies that will help you to focus on your own <\/em><em><br \/>\n<em>well-being\u2014and to feel a little bit better\u2014in the midst of one of life\u2019s rough patches.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 New York, NY<\/strong> (June 2013)\u2014Everyone goes through rough spots in life\u2014it\u2019s an unfortunate but unavoidable fact. You might feel worried about an upcoming move, overwhelmed as you try to deal with an illness in your family, or anxious about a looming project at work. Maybe you\u2019re simply worn down by the never-ending stress and relentlessly hectic pace of modern life. If so, you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI can sympathize\u2014I went through a rough spot myself recently,\u201d says <a title=\"This external link will open in a new window\" href=\"http:\/\/www.mmsend2.com\/link.cfm?r=126435764&amp;sid=25130517&amp;m=2710882&amp;u=RocksPR&amp;j=14301946&amp;s=http:\/\/www.marlatomazin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Marla Tomazin<\/a>, who has been an image consultant for twenty years after earlier experience in the fashion industry.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDue to several different factors, I was extremely busy for several months,\u201d she explains. \u201cWhen I\u2019m under pressure, I become stressed (no surprise there, I imagine!) and feel \u2018wired,\u2019 meaning that I go to sleep later at night and wake up early each morning. And, of course, because I\u2019m perpetually tired, I tend to worry more about significant <em>and<\/em> insignificant things. Not a very healthy cycle to be caught in.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After one particularly crazy day, Tomazin says, it occurred to her that she should take her own advice.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I\u2019m working with clients, I focus not just on outward appearance but on the whole mind-body-spirit connection,\u201d she shares. \u201cI always urge my clients to take care of and honor themselves in all situations, but <em>especially<\/em> when life is chaotic. If you don\u2019t focus on your own well-being when times are tough, you won\u2019t have the mental, emotional, or physical energy you need to change external circumstances for the better, either.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Here, Tomazin shares a few taking-care-of-yourself strategies that have been helpful to her, and that you can put into practice to help you make it through the next rough spot in your life, too.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Realize that things will get better.<\/strong> When you\u2019re in the midst of a tough time, it\u2019s easy to believe that things will never change. But sooner or later, there\u2019s always a light at the end of the tunnel. No matter how you feel right now, the truth is that you won\u2019t be stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed for the rest of your life.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThink back on past obstacles you\u2019ve overcome to give yourself motivation to press on and ask a trusted friend or family member to help you put your current struggle into perspective,\u201d Tomazin suggests. \u201cThis last strategy is particularly effective because not only will sharing your burden help to lighten it; the other person might be able to help you think of solutions you were unable to see on your own.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hydrate.<\/strong> Drinking water might seem a little odd at first glance, but it\u2019s actually one of the best things you can do to keep yourself looking and feeling good when you\u2019re under stress. Staying hydrated helps you stay energized, ensures that your body operates optimally, and can even improve the appearance of your skin (a welcome gift when you\u2019re worried and tired!).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPersonally, I drink a quart of water every morning, and I carry a bottle with me throughout the day,\u201d Tomazin says. \u201cI can tell that it makes a difference!\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Exercise.<\/strong> Working out is often the last thing you want to do when life is tough. (Flopping onto the couch probably sounds a lot more attractive!) But the truth is, even a little bit of physical activity can work wonders in terms of how you feel. Exercise makes you feel more capable mentally <em>and<\/em> physically. It can help you sleep better, reduce feelings of stress, and even relieve symptoms of depression <a title=\"This external link will open in a new window\" href=\"http:\/\/www.mmsend2.com\/link.cfm?r=126435764&amp;sid=25130518&amp;m=2710882&amp;u=RocksPR&amp;j=14301946&amp;s=http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/dr-tian-dayton\/exercise-the-best-antidep_b_106683.html\" target=\"_blank\">as effectively as medication<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn other words, a half-hour at the gym or a walk around the block is one of the best decisions you can make,\u201d Tomazin asserts. \u201cThat\u2019s why, no matter how busy or unmotivated I am, I commit to working out at least two days a week.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Give yourself credit.<\/strong> When you\u2019re upset or worried about one aspect of your life, those feelings can easily spill over into your general attitude and outlook. You start looking at your whole life through a negative lens, and you might start to focus on the mistakes you\u2019ve made and the things you could have done better.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf that sounds familiar,<em> stop<\/em>!\u201d Tomazin urges. \u201cThink of one, or two, or ten or twenty things you\u2019ve done well in the recent past and give yourself credit for accomplishing them. Remember, nobody is even remotely close to perfect. Don\u2019t make a tough situation even worse by remaining your own worst critic.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prioritize.<\/strong> Especially when you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed or stressed, it\u2019s tempting to fixate on each shiny ball that rolls past instead of directing your energy and attention to the problem at hand. When your efforts are scattered, though, nothing gets done, and you end up feeling even more frazzled than you did at first. Remember, you can focus only on one or two big goals at a time, no matter how adept you are at multitasking.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs you work through the next rough spot in your life, sit down and decide what is most important to you,\u201d Tomazin recommends. \u201cIf spending time with your family is at the top of your list, for example, put them first and consciously make sure that other things remain on the back burner.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Say no.<\/strong> Many of us have trouble saying no for a variety of reasons: We don\u2019t want to let others down, we don\u2019t want to be seen as weak, we\u2019re afraid to refuse, etc. However, until you learn to say no when you need to, you\u2019ll never be in the driver\u2019s seat of your own life, and it will be more difficult to steer yourself out of draining, stressful situations.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRealize that you don\u2019t have to do it all\u2014nor should you,\u201d Tomazin points out. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to make every decision, supervise every person\u2019s schedule, chair every event, host every party, and come to the rescue every time something goes wrong. Again, decide <em>ahead of time <\/em>what\u2019s most important to you and prioritize those things. Then you can feel okay about saying no to some of the rest and focus on working toward your own well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Take time for yourself.<\/strong> Whether the current demands on your energy and time are coming from your family, your job, your friends, your finances, or something else, it\u2019s important to \u201cget away\u201d every so often\u2014literally or at least metaphorically.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo make sure that you don\u2019t become too drained and burned out, do something for yourself,\u201d Tomazin urges. \u201cMaybe it\u2019s sitting down to enjoy a cup of coffee in the midst of running errands, locking the bathroom door and taking a bubble bath, reading a motivational book during your lunch break, or going on a walk through the park. When you unwind and take a breather, your perspective will stay clearer and your stress will be more manageable.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn the end, you can\u2019t avoid going through rough times in life, but you <em>can<\/em> decide how to respond to them,\u201d Tomazin concludes. \u201cRemember that your own health and sanity are paramount, and most of all, have confidence that the sun will emerge from behind the clouds soon!\u201d<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"># # #<\/p>\n<p><strong>About Marla Tomazin:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a title=\"This external link will open in a new window\" href=\"http:\/\/www.mmsend2.com\/link.cfm?r=126435764&amp;sid=25130519&amp;m=2710882&amp;u=RocksPR&amp;j=14301946&amp;s=http:\/\/www.marlatomazin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Marla Tomazin<\/a>, Certified Image Consultant, established her image consulting business in 1990 with the goal of helping clients identify an authentic image and develop its effective expression. From a successful career in the fashion industry, Marla gained expertise in retail buying, merchandising, sales, and marketing. She began with May Company in Denver after earning a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Denver. Marla moved to New York where she worked with several well-known Seventh Avenue design firms. As she developed her business skills, Marla made a serendipitous discovery\u2014an innate sense of style and facility for working with fabrics and colors to maximum advantage.<\/p>\n<p>The progression to Certified Image Consultant was a natural transition. Marla utilizes her abilities in evaluating body shape, movement, and coloring as well as synthesizing optimal cuts, lines, colors, and textures. This results in balance and proportion that accentuate attributes and conceal flaws. Her clients include women, men, and corporations seeking external revitalization that mirrors their internal development.<\/p>\n<p><strong>For more information, please visit <a title=\"This external link will open in a new window\" href=\"http:\/\/www.mmsend2.com\/link.cfm?r=126435764&amp;sid=25130520&amp;m=2710882&amp;u=RocksPR&amp;j=14301946&amp;s=http:\/\/www.marlatomazin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">www.marlatomazin.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p align=\"center\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">&nbsp;<script type=\"text\/javascript\"><!--\ngoogle_ad_client = \"pub-3923845094689161\";\ngoogle_ad_width = 468;\ngoogle_ad_height = 60;\ngoogle_ad_format = \"468x60_as\";\ngoogle_ad_type = \"text\";\ngoogle_ad_channel =\"\";\ngoogle_color_border = \"FFFFFF\";\ngoogle_color_bg = \"FFFFFF\";\ngoogle_color_link = \"000880\";\ngoogle_color_url = \"000880\";\ngoogle_color_text = \"000000\";\n\/\/--><\/script><br 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&nbsp; Are You Okay?: Caring for Yourself in the Midst of Stress Marla Tomazin shares seven strategies that will help you to focus on your own well-being\u2014and to feel a little bit better\u2014in the midst of one of life\u2019s rough patches. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 New York, NY (June 2013)\u2014Everyone goes through rough spots in life\u2014it\u2019s an [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[70],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/momsnetwork.com\/workathomeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/205"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/momsnetwork.com\/workathomeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/momsnetwork.com\/workathomeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/momsnetwork.com\/workathomeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/momsnetwork.com\/workathomeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=205"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/momsnetwork.com\/workathomeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/205\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":207,"href":"http:\/\/momsnetwork.com\/workathomeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/205\/revisions\/207"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/momsnetwork.com\/workathomeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=205"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/momsnetwork.com\/workathomeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=205"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/momsnetwork.com\/workathomeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=205"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}