How to unlock your hidden potential and unleash your creative genius with stress management techniques

When you're under stress, your body secretes hormones that signal a 'fight or flight' situation to the brain, placing you in survival mode.  This can affect your overall health and even lead to weight gain if not properly managed.  Some people live in this heightened state of stress on a daily basis either through stressful jobs or turbulent home life situations.  Often divorce, marital issues and even job loss can lead to increased stress.

But there's a thing called good stress that can actually help you become more successful in life.

Properly harnessed stress can help you develop laser sharp focus; increased creativity and production.

With that in mind, here are seven things you can do right now to reduce the bad stress and minimize it's effect on your life, while enhancing the positive effects of stress.

1. Avoid doom and gloom people.

Some people have nothing better to do than gripe and complain.  They'd rather spend their day speculating about the possibilities of war and famine than actually lift a finger to cure those problems.  For them, stress and complaints are entertaining.  After just a few minutes of deal with the gloom and doom type, you'll find your heart racing and your stress level rising.  

2. Take time for the things you enjoy.  
There's more to life than work.
Running your engines full speed night and day can lead to burn out.  To avoid this situation, take one hour daily to devote to a completely selfish activity.  This could be a favorite hobby, television show or other enjoyable past time.

3.  Breathe through the stress

Breathe in slowly for a count of six, then hold the breath for a count of five and then carefully exhale through an open mouth.

Repeat ten to fifteen times, with your eyes closed until your heart rate and pulse slows.  Chant a soothing mantra.  During this breif respite, imagine yourself on a beach or grass covered hillside far away from stressful situations.   

If possible, assume your favorite yoga pose and release tension from your muscles.

4.  Squelch negative thoughts before they have a chance to bloom into stress.  It's easy to let yourself get wrapped up in 'what-if' scenarios. What if I am audited?  Will my house be foreclosed if I lose my job?

Most of these worst case scenarios never happen.  And, even if they do, they're more easily solved than imagined.
If you're really worried about something, write it down on a list and prepare a concrete emergency plan for handling those situations.

5.  Know your stressors and manage them.  
Everyone has their stress trigger points, whether it's dinner with the in-laws or a business presentation before an audience.

Make a list of your stress triggers and then write out a positive action you will take to make you feel more in control.

6.  Practice good health habits for more stress free days.

Lack of sleep, inactivity and poor diet can put your body and mind out of balance.  Adopt healthier habits to prevent stress. Next time you feel your heart race, take a break and go for a walk.  Get up early in the morning and practice some soothing yoga moves while listening to relaxing chants.  

7.  Use positive stress to unlock your creative potential

Make friends with stress.

Some pressure is normal and can even help you feel more productive or focused on the job.  It all depends on how you handle the situation.

Once you feel the pressure coming on, take a moment to focus yourself.  

You'll feel the increased burst of energy that comes along with the 'fight or flight' sensation.  During this time, you may be more capable of finishing long forgotten projects; work tasks or home improvements.  You might even notice a temporary increase in creativity. Keep a notebook with you at all times, so you can jot down creative ideas as they come to you.

Don't fight your body's desire to move around.  During this phase of stress you'll be more capable of performing physical activities, so get up from your desk and find something useful to do.

However you manage stress, it's important to remember that stress can be your worst enemy or your best friend.  Allow stress to rule your life and you become the servant.  Become the master of stress and you will control your own destiny.