I’ve recently learned a trick on how to prevent stress. It’s simple and it works! Being a parent of a teenager is inherently stressful – I think the words teenager and stress are actually synonyms – and any way you can figure out how to prevent stress while dealing with them is a huge help.

One of my favorite stress reducing techniques is getting centered. What is ‘getting centered’? That is for you to figure out. Everyone has their own individual way to do this. Some even have more than one. But let me tell you once you figure it out, you will be able to start using it immediately.

Why do I have anxiety?

I believe that anxiety or stress comes from lives or parts of our lives that are out-of-control. It could be anything, money, children, lack of time freedom, and sickness are a few of the main areas that can become out of whack. Our world is complicated and we are required to run at breakneck speed to keep up. And as far as I can see it there is no way to get past that. Even living alone on a desert island, knowing what we know now, would be stressful.

Any best ways to reduce stress?

I do solemnly believe that stress cannot be actually reduce just handled. And the way I do this is to get centered.

Tell me how to get centered.

Getting centered means figuring out something that you can do that will give you a sense of control in your life, even if it’s in a tiny way. It might not even be anything that needs controlling, but it has to be something you can control. So even if you can’t control any or all of the big things, if you can control something small, it can do wonders for your overall stress level.

Centering Ideas

All you need to do is find an activity that helps you to feel relaxed. These come in all different sizes and shapes and are what you like to do, so don’t use your neighbors idea as a measure of the effectiveness of your centering ways. If it works for you, do it. I must tell you I love to mow the lawn. The sense of relief and completeness I feel in looking at the completed project, grass all neatly in a row, reduces my stress at once.

Like I said you can have more than one stress reducing way and I do. I love making the bed! Military tight corners, smooth sheets and blankets. And the spouse gets centered here too as it is one less chore on her list.

My wife also has her own way of reducing anxiety and stress. When her life is spinning out-of-control, you will find her muttering under the laundry room seek as she digs out the Windex and paper towels. She cleans the sliding glass door with a vengeance and then a smile. She is centered.

Every paper clip has its place!

A friend of ours, who actually told us about centering, shared a story about a head of a large corporation who found his center by sorting paper clips. One of his co-workers one day stated that they did have people who they paid that could do that for him. The man just nodded and said this job is all mine!

So there you go. Is your life out-of-control? Well, figure out what gets you centered, and you’re well on your way to figuring out how to prevent stress.

Reduce your stress – find out how to control anxiety today, including panic attacks, job-related stress, or just a general feeling of anxiety. Do it now – you don’t have to continue to live this way!