Take Control of your Life

It is easy to feel that your life is uncertain and outside your control. We can feel controlled by work, by conforming to social pressures, by family pressures. With more businesses reducing staff even what were once regarded as secure jobs may no longer be secure in the future. These are the pressures that can make us feel anxious all the time. A constant state of anxiety causes raised levels of cortisol and adrenaline that can lead to serious illness. On the other side, you can learn to boost the happy hormones - endorphins, serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. Here are my top tips for getting control over your life and improving your health and happiness. Enjoy your work I always made the most of my work, when when it was not necessarily what I felt like doing at the time. If you are working on a boring or repetitive task, set yourself a challenge. It might be a personal target or a challenge with workmates. The time will pass much more quickly. If you work in retail or hospitality, challenge yourself to lift every customer’s day because they met you. I guarantee that you, your customer and the world will feel better at day’s end. If all else fails, seriously look for another job that you are more in tune with. Start a home or small business I have been fortunate that I was able to manage a successful family business for much of my working life. It enabled me to flexibly manage my work time whilst raising a family. Family businesses can also allow you to include your children seamlessly in your life, rather than separating work and family time. In 2005 turned our hobby into a business and a charity. In all that time we never felt “deprived” because we were able to choose the time we put into our work. If you feel that your job may not be secure in the future or you would like to supplement your income, start a home business. There was never a better time. The barriers to entry have never been lower. Online businesses, multi level marketing, and personal service businesses are easy to start and to market locally or widely. Turn your passion into a part or full-time business.

Being your own boss can be very fulfilling because, even when you are working harder, you effort is for you and your family. Plan your time I am fortunate to be a natural “planner”. I like to start the day by listing, either in my mind or on paper or phone, the things I want to achieve during the day. I always start with the daily routine tasks. I like to get them out of the way. I do not let routine tasks build up so that they weigh on my mind. At the end of they day you will look back with a sense of achievement and satisfaction, even if you don’t get to everything you may have planned. Volunteer Volunteering is a great way to take your focus off yourself and your troubles and woes. and it can give you a deep sense of perspective about what is important in life. When our children were in school I volunteered at school and with meals-on-wheels. I helped found a charitable non-profit in 2002 to help disadvantaged children in Argentina as a way of “paying back” the gift of the Argentine culture, dance and music that we so enjoy. Over the years we have contributed to foster homes, schools and education with the hope that our small contribution will offer some children a better life than might have been possible. In the process we have travelled to Latin America and made life-long friends at home and around the world. Volunteering has been a fulfilling part of my life. Choose something you have a passion for or an interest in and go for it. Family time If you can, gather your family together every day for breakfast and dinner. You will all eat better, communicate better, reduce TV / social media time. Everyone feels closer and more involved in family life. Hug someone you love Remember to hug your loved ones and friends every day. Human touch has an amazing effect on our wellbeing increasing your “happy hormones” and reducing your stress hormones. In our world of social dancing we are continually amazed at the benefit friends and strangers alike can get from the gentle, caring touch of another person. Many countries have a "hugging" culture. After breaking initial reservations, it is a warm, friendly and beneficial habit. Reduce the toxins in your life I eliminated all toxic cleaning and personal care items from our home and our life some years ago. We have avoided poisons and insecticides by using more natural and environmental friendly options. Strange as it seems, I have found them more effective and more economical too. I feel much better not exposing my family to potentially harmful products around the home. In doing so we have significantly reduced disposable plastics, a problem now recognised as a world-wide crisis. Do something for yourself Is there something you have always wanted to do, but put it off? Get started today. My husband and I started dancing social Argentine Tango almost 20 years ago. It has given us a common social interest, it is active and very healthy. In fact, you may be surprised to know social dancing is one of the healthiest things you can do. TV and social media Each time you see the same tragic news item your body reacts as if it’s happening again. It is especially the case with children who can become agitated and neurotic from a constant stream of bad news. When we see disaster stories from around the world we begin to feel more insecure about our own and our children personal safety. Often there is no reason to feel this way and we rarely have the ability to influence the outcome, but we just worry more. Talk with the family about their day; listen to music; play an instrument; learn a language; learn to dance; go to the gym. These are activities over which you have direct control and that are much more uplifting and fun. Did you know that electronic devices all emit electromagnetic fields that are harmful to your health. Reducing your “device time” including phone, tablet and fitness wearables reduces your exposure to emf radiation. Children (and adults) should not fall asleep with a phone or tablet under their pillow. It’s not a good idea to sleep with “wearables”, even if they do monitor your sleep patterns. There are other ways to reduce the effects of man-made radiation in your home. Get off the treadmill (reduce your needs) Unmanageable debt is one of the biggest stressors for modern families. As yourself, “Do I really need that new phone/TV/car/takeaway; or would I rather have more time and less worry?” There are so many ways to reduce the stresses of modern life. I hope these few tips may help to kick-start a positive move to re-take control of your life.

A big hug, 'til next time,

Cheryl

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