Manage Stress by Eliminating Negativity

Working to manage negativity in your life is a big first step towards relieving personal stress. By resolving personal insecurities or our reaction to another person's words or actions, we can lead a more positive and happy life. What does it take to eliminate such negativity? Here are some tips:

Steps

 * 1)  Personal acceptance: When you catch yourself being critical of yourself, or comparing yourself negatively to another, this is due to low self esteem. Low self esteem can be the result of a person's opinion of themselves, or a result of negativity from outside sources. It takes time, but when you have these feelings, you have to find something or some person or place to refocus your attention in a positive manner.[[Image:Manage Stress by Eliminating Negativity Step 1.jpg|center]]
 * 2)  Negativity towards others: When we have negative feelings because of an action(s) of another person, ask yourself why you are reacting that way. Use the situation as a challenge to see if you could give it a positive spin, or at the very least, curb the negativity that arises. We run into plenty of such opportunities in our daily lives.[[Image:Manage Stress by Eliminating Negativity Step 2.jpg|center]]
 * 3)  Walk in another's shoes: When you cannot justify your negative feelings toward someone, try understanding where they are coming from. Put yourself in the person's shoes to understand why they acted a particular way or responded in the manner they did. Realize you cannot change others. Change yourself by learning to see another person's point of view.[[Image:Manage Stress by Eliminating Negativity Step 3.jpg|center]]
 * 4)  Ignore other people's weaknesses: Do you feel insulted by what someone has said? You have probably won the battle already, because by needing to insult you, the other person has put his weakness on display. Now win the war, by ignoring that weakness and moving on.[[Image:Manage Stress by Eliminating Negativity Step 4.jpg|center]]
 * 5)  Give others the benefit of the doubt: Subjected to a joke you didn't like? Laugh at it with others. Maybe they did it because they like you, and that is how they show it. Perhaps they did not realize their words would hurt you. Give them the benefit of doubt. Also, learn to laugh at yourself.[[Image:Manage Stress by Eliminating Negativity Step 5.jpg|center]]
 * 6)  Avoid focusing negatively on other people's success: Is the next person doing better than you in some regard? Good for him; and good for you, if you can be happy for them. If you are feeling envy or jealousy, do not dwell it. Chances are, you will earn your own successes. Do not waste your time dwelling on the success of another.[[Image:Manage Stress by Eliminating Negativity Step 6.jpg|center]]
 * 7)  Do not take things personally: The key to these stress management tips is to avoid taking things personally. Do not jump to conclusions about the other person's attitude or agenda. Be happy and content being the best person you can be.[[Image:Manage Stress by Eliminating Negativity Step 7.jpg|center]]

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