Clarksville, TN – Okay, we all have things that make us crazy. It might be the neighbor next door, our tendency to try to control everything and everyone around us, the world situation, or just the fact that mail carrier keeps putting someone else’s mail in our mailbox.
Whatever it is, each of us needs to have coping mechanisms to keep these annoyances from driving us nuts on a daily basis.
Here are a few ways you can at least turn loose of these irritants for a while.
Recognize your limitations and act accordingly.
If the world situation is driving you to distraction, stop watching the news six hours a day and getting yourself upset over something over which you have no control.
If your neighbor is playing music until 3:00am preventing your sleep, kindly ask if he could lower the volume at midnight. If he refuses, call the police and see if they can impress on him that his behavior is inappropriate. If that is not an option you choose, move away!
If your mother-in-law tries to tell you how to cook meatloaf, offer to let her cook for you one night a week so that you can learn how she does it. If she keeps on trying to tell you how to cook, ask her to cook for you five nights a week until she figures out that she needs to get a life of her own. Kill her with kindness!
If the mail keeps getting in the wrong mailbox, call the postmaster. He can have a special notice posted in your mailbox that indicates to the mail carrier that the right mail had been be placed in your box or repercussions will follow.
If your job is making you unhappy, change jobs. Don’t let the unemployment rate stop you. You need one job at the time (or two or three to make ends meet). Just focus on what you can do that will make you feel worthwhile and find that work. You’ll be much more successful and will contribute more to the job itself if you are happy there.
Do whatever is within reason to solve your problem. Don’t just stew over it and let it make you sick.
Learn how to relieve your stress
Relieve stress through exercise, meditation or whatever works for you—and then do it!
I used to have a friend whose mother-in-law lived with her husband and her. The elderly lady was a martinet and my friend who did not want to start another World War would not confront her.
Some people can relieve their anguish by walking or jogging to relieve tension. Others find solace in closing the door to a room they find calming and meditating for a while each day. Still others learn that deep breathing when something begins to irritate them can head off anxiety.
Fill your life with activities that feed your sense of well-being.
Everyone knows someone who is lonely. Visit that person, even if it’s only 10 minutes a week. Show her that you care.
Find some volunteer work that not only helps others but gives you a higher purpose in life.
Get a pet. People who have a cat or dog or bird live happier lives because that animal doesn’t care if you’re the president of the company or the custodian. It loves you for yourself.
Give yourself something special every day, even if it’s just an ice cream cone or a manicure or a trip to the hairdresser. You’re worth taking care of too.
We all have frustrations. Focusing on them for a few minutes is perfectly acceptable so that you are acknowledging that the problem is there. Set a time limit of five minutes and then move on.
It’s when you give too much time to grinding over and over in your mind the thing that is bothering you that you get into trouble. We see people every day who have “gone over the top” and start shooting themselves and/or others. These people have lost all sense of balance.
Get therapy if you need it.
Whatever the problem, help is available. You are the only one like you in this world. Your talents are needed.
Don’t let anything drive you over the edge!
