[Inspiration] Stress to Serenity: 5 Simple Tools

By Kimberly Carroll

”I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.
- Jennifer Yane

Ahhhh…the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer!  For many, summer can be a wonderful balm to bring you to life and soothe all that ails you. However, if you’re dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety in your life right now, then frolicking summer and all her participants can feel like they are mocking you with their easy joy and carefree spirit. ; )

Whether it’s still the after-effects of the recession or just the continual amping up of our work week productivity, so many people have been coming to me lately feeling so generally stressed and anxious. These frenetic qualities can be very insidious in the way they take up permanent residence not only in your life, but in your body. So much so that you find yourself not even being able to relax during “down” time or even…gasp…vacations!  Well, in my 6-Week Body/Mind/Spirit Bootcamp we work with a lot of tools for moving out of a place of anxiety. I want to share a few of the simple and easy ones for you to try out right here and now to help rescue the rest of your summer from the clutches of stress…

1. Reality Check – Anxiety is usually only present if you’re not. If you’re feeling anxious it means your mind is stuck in the past or future where it’s building big scary scenarios (that presentation you’re going to blow, the inadequacies you must have that drove your ex away, etc.) So, today whenever you find yourself feeling stress or anxiety, I want you to stop for a moment and ask yourself: “Am I in grave danger right NOW?“  Then, I want you to ask: “What is so right now?” and take a moment to sink into the truth and experience of this very moment. For the most part you’ll find that you’re actually in a relatively safe place surrounded by potentially soothing or inspiring people/things. This little check-in reminds you that you’re not really in any mortal danger even though your mind has just tricked your body into feeling that you are, and done consistently will start relaxing your fight or flight response.  (Caveat: If you actually are in mortal danger, you have my permission to feel a whack-load of stress and RUN!)

“If your teeth are clenched and your fists are clenched, your lifespan is probably clenched.”
- Terry Guillemets

2. Mind Dump – If you wake up or go to bed feeling stressed, this is a great daily practice to do first thing in the morning or last thing at night (or both!). Grab a journal or have some loose paper handy and simply start writing whatever thoughts are whirling around your head…good, bad, or ugly.  Go for about 5 minutes of uninterrupted pen-never-leaving-the-paper writing — no censoring, no pausing and thinking before you write, and remember that it doesn’t have to be well-written or even that legible. Think of it as pouring all the stuff that’s clogging up your brain onto the paper. Not only will this help to neutralize your mind for the day or sleep ahead, it will sometimes even help you to discover some deeper, less obvious underlying anxieties you weren’t aware of or even solve a dilemma for you. You can also draw/doodle, colour, or paint instead of write.

3. Laughter – When I was little and in tears over some fleeting upset, my Grampa would look at me and say, “Oh! I see a smile… Here it comes… There it is!!”  As much as I tried to resist that damn smile, it never failed to come…along with full-blown giggles and a complete shift out of my momentary tragedy. So, today I want you to try some laughter to break you out of the clutches of anxiety, blow off some stress, and raise your vibration. Ask your mate or a friend to tickle you, watch one of the funniest scenes from one of your favourite comedies on youtube, tell somebody a joke that never fails to make you smile (even if you’re a terrible joke teller — that can be even more amusing!), or even try faking a great big ole’ belly laugh! That’s right – slap your knee, force some snorts, roll around on the floor… It may start off feeling way fake (and silly as hell), but after rolling around on the ground for a bit, you can bet you’ll be experiencing the real deal in no time at all.  Oh, stop rolling your eyes and just give it a try already, ole’ Stuffy Pants!

“Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you”
- John De Paola

4. Say “No” – Philanthropic tycoon Warren Buffet says: “The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say “no” to almost everything.” So, start practicing the one little word that might have kept you out of this stressful mess to begin with!  Today I challenge you to say “no” once more than you regularly would during the day. Your “no” may be anything from not answering the ringing phone when you don’t feel up to talking to telling your boss who asks you to work overtime for the umpteenth time that you have something else scheduled (yeah, your sanity!)  Even if you disappoint someone with your “no”, let yourself sit with that, but then savour the idea that you just said YES to yourself for a change.  Remember, you will eventually not be able to say yes to anyone if you burn through everything you’ve got without a chance for rejuvenation.

5. Shake It Off - Close yourself off alone in a room, put on a powerful or frenetic piece of music (I love using Prodigy’s “Breathe”, for example) and start moving as if you’re shaking all these feelings of stress and anxiety right out of your body. Stomp it out of your feet, shake it out of your head, wring it out your hands, pull it out of your center — just start shaking those stuck sensations of heaviness, panic, fogginess, or frenzy loose. Allow your body to shake and vibrate from inside and out. Get wild and SHAKE FREE of this feeling that you’ve been feeling trapped in. See it leaving you and dissolving. When the song is over, let yourself drop to floor and savour your breath flowing freely and softly through the energetic space you’ve cleared in your body.

“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.”
- Chinese Proverb

I wish to all of us an August of love, freedom, and serenity…let’s not let this beautiful season go by without fully tasting it, breathing it, and loving it!

Kimberly Carroll is a certified Soul Coach and a television host/producer.  She is one of the authors of the award-winning anthology “Soul Whispers” and her popular 6-Week Body/Mind/Spirit Bootcamp has been transforming lives from the inside out.  Through her coaching, speaking engagements, and workshops, Kimberly lovingly guides women and men in a wild journey to ignite their body, mind, heart, and spirit!  Her next 6-Week Body/Mind/Spirit Bootcamp starts Sept.13  in Toronto and Sept. 14  for the Online/Tele-Program. For about Kimberly, please visit www.soulcoaching.org

Eco Goddess | Sept 17

A mini retreat designed to help women to embrace a greener lifestyle, more balanced lifestyle, by unleashing the eco goddess within – presented by Fit Your Style, Shop Socials & DivaGirl Inc.

Join us for an afternoon at the prestigious Verity Club, to unwind and become more aware of easy ways to live a more conscious lifestyle through inspiring presenters, eco-friendly vendors and enjoy the opportunity to mingle with 50+ fabulous women at this refreshing, exclusive, women’s only retreat. Visit us on Facebook!

ABOUT THE ECO GODDESS EXPERIENCE:

• Listen to Guest Presenters who will share their tips for fashion, fitness, and wellbeing, the eco-fabulous way. Topics include:
• “Finding your Inner Goddess-“ Fit Your Style (Jennifer Ettinger)
• The Eco Fashionista-“ Shop Socials (Tamika Auwai)
• “Living a Divalicious Lifestyle-“ DivaGirl (Laura Furtado)
• Shop the Eco Goddess mini market featuring 6 eco-friendly vendors
• Opportunity to experience an organic body wrap while you workshop with Fit Your Style
• Salad bar lunch and “green” snack sampling
• Attend an exclusive event at an elite, women’s only, venue in Toronto, Verity Club

NOTES:

• Dress code: Comfortable and chic
• Policies: Females only. Limited tickets available at the door.
• Ticket rate includes healthy, light lunch and swag bag filled with eco-goodies
• ONLY 50 TICKETS AVAILABLE. $45 door tickets (if applicable).

Date: Sept 17, 2011
Time: 11:00 am-2:00 pm
Location: Verity Club
Address: 111d Queen Street East, Toronto
Tickets: $35

Purchase Tickets now at http://ecogoddess.eventbrite.com/

[SOLD OUT!] Soul Art Workshop (March 26)

Unleash your creative genius and experience a Divine Love Affair.

Your business and life will take off when you learn how to express your unique creative spirit in every area of your life. Soul Art is a profound tool to heighten your creativity, your beauty and your wealth. When you do Soul Art you become magnetic!

During this workshop:

• You will learn how to connect with your spirit and express it creatively through your life and business. This will make you stand out from everyone else!
• You will uncover your Iconic Spirit Trait. Once you know this you can use it your marketing, your branding (and attracting a mate if you want)!
• You will discover innovative ways to express your creative spirit so you can experience more joy and fulfillment in your life!

There is no art experience required to fully enjoy this workshop. All you need is the desire to connect with your spirit and express it. You’ll be surprised and delighted by what is waiting to flow through you.

To prepare yourself for a profound transformation, start by taking the free Soul Art quiz called: ‘What kind of Creative Spirit are you?. This will clarify your unique creative spiritual purpose and path. You can get it at www.soulartstudio.com

About Laura Hollick Laura Hollick is an award winning artist and shaman. She is the creator of Soul Art studio, a business devoted to guiding people to  connect with their creative spirit and design a life and business to express it. BRAVO TV created a documentary about Laura’s art and life called ‘The Artist’s Life-Laura Hollick’. She has hosted and produced over 500 radio shows for 93.3 FM CFMU called ‘The Artist’s Lifestyle’. Laura’s art and ideas have been exhibited around the world, and she was nominated for ‘Woman of Distinction in the Arts’ for her Soul Art work. Laura is guided by her purpose to grow spirit on Earth. She describes her life as a Divine Love Affair.

For more about Laura Hollick, please visit www.soulartstudio.com Soul Art Workshop Date: March 26, 2011 Time: 2:00 pm-4:30 pm Location: Centre for Social Innovation Address: 215 Spadina Avenue, Toronto Cost: $35 SORRY THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT!

Continuum Conference (Mar 5-6)

Wisdom Annex presents:

Continuum – Soul’s Greatest Journey, Past, Present, Future

A forum that may answer that one question you always wondered about.

Continuum is a powerful weekend event with some of North America’s foremost researchers, leading edge authors and presenters brought together for the first time in Toronto, Canada. Each presentation will conclude with an interactive dialogue with the audience, where they will provide insights with first-hand experiences, real-life documentations and clinical studies on:

• Carol Bowman: Past Lives of Children and Adults with a group regression
• Carol Bowman: Life between Lives explores the soul’s process between incarnations
• Dr. Raymond Moody: Near Death Experiences
• Danielle Mackinnon: Soul contracts with people in our lives that affect us positively or negatively
• Joseph Tittel: Communicating with our loved ones who have crossed over
• David Kessler: Making peace with death and meeting the needs of the dying
• Dr. Bradley Nelson: Emotion Code: A cutting-edge process to release negative emotions in your body
• Danielle Mackinnon: Animal Communication and Soul Contracts with our pets

Ticket prices for the 2-day conference is $120. VIP seats are available for $300. Enter Coupon Code – 241 and get 2 tickets for the price of one.

FEELING LUCKY? Enter coupon code: LUCKY for your chance to win 2 full-conference tickets!

Tickets available online. http://www.wisdomannex.com/continuum/registration.html

Date: March 5-6, 2011

Location: John Bassett Theatre, Metro Convention Center. 255 Front Street West, Toronto.

Optional workshops are being held on Friday 4th and Monday 7th.

Time: 9:00am – 7:00pm Saturday and Sunday.

About Wisdom Annex

Wisdom Annex, a non-profit company, was founded by Sheena Singh, The mission is to bring about a sense of higher awareness about the esoteric side of our lives through transformational conferences and workshops such as ‘Continuum’ and ‘2012: A Point In Time” coming up in October 2011.

For more information, please visit www.wisdomannex.com or you can call 416-203-3595.

WOMEN OF WISDOM & POWER: The Power Within – Movie & Discussion (Jan 27)

DISCOVER THE POWER OF YOUR FEMININE SPIRIT!

Revealing the keys to authentic power and wisdom, this unprecedented gathering of some of today’s most phenomenal women explores the relationship between the beauty myth and our self esteem; how we find emotional strength and wisdom in times of crisis, loss and grief; and how we can bring spirituality into our daily lives. The Power Within inspires women to break through what is holding them back, realize their dreams, and put their visions into action!

Profiles include: Jane Goodall, Gloria Steinem, Shirley MacLaine, Alanis Morissette, China Galland, Naomi Wolf, and Lynne twist.

This provocative and profoundly moving video imparts powerful insights to help every woman achieve optimum well being, and become physically, emotionally, and spiritually, the best she’s ever been. A unique celebration of the power and influence of women at the dawn of the century, it challenges women to express their voices and become catalysts for positive change in the world.

When: Thursday, January 27, 2011 7:00 PM

Where: Chalkers Pub Billiards & Bistro
247 Marlee Avenue (North of Eglinton; West of Allen Rd. Off Glencairn Subway – min from Glencairn Subway station, south exit)

Mingling & Dinner (Optional): 7:00 pm
Movie: 7:45-8:45 pm

Followed by discussion
Cash at the Door: $10.00 per person

New Year, New FAB You Program

Let’s Rock It. Together.

We know you are eager to start creating the life of your dreams. We are totally committed and excited to provide you with all the tools and support you need to take action and stay on track towards your goals.

We have created an incredible no-excuse program, with tons of perks and treats to keep you inspired and connected. In addition, we are offering you 3 different options to choose from, depending on your location, needs and desired level of involvement.

Check out the options below for the one that best suits your needs and sign-up today to start your journey to a magnificent 2011!

Also, check out our Affiliate Program to find out how you can have your program pay for itself!

Labyrinth Walk + Brunch (Dec 5)

Join us to walk the public labyrinth in downtown Toronto. The walk will be led by Jan Marie Dore, who will share a brief history of the labyrinth and show us how this ancient tool has been used by different cultures for meditation, contemplation, healing, and guidance on your spiritual path. This focused walking meditation can also serve to reduce stress and connect you with your wise, intuitive self. You can use the labyrinth as a blueprint for your own journey through your personal challenges of family, work, entrepreneurship, study, or major life transitions.

Jan Marie Dore is a mentor and coach to women entrepreneurs, professionals and executives worldwide who are committed to fulfilling their own inner calling and making a difference in the world. She leads women’s retreats and spiritual journeys in environments that help women connect with their authentic feminine purpose, passion and power. Find out more at her website www.janmariedore.com Don’t miss this special opportunity to connect with other women on a spiritual journey!

Following the walk, we will head to Eggspectations inside the Eaton’s Centre for a yummy brunch to further connect and share our insights & experiences.

Walk at 11:30 am-12:30 pm

Meet just by the labyrinth, outside the Church of the Holy Trinity, 10 Trinity Sq., by the Eaton Centre (see MAP for details)

Brunch to follow (optional; cost of meal not included)

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Early-Bird Payment by Nov 28: $10 ; Regular Payment $12.50

Fee includes the talk, guided walk, and handout on the Labyrinth. Please note that the brunch is optional, and the cost of the meal is NOT included.

SIGN-UP TODAY!

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