1,202 words of content including 19 AMAZINGLY SIMPLE ways to reduce stress, plus a Critical study for leaders on the cost of workplace stress. Approximate reading time: 4.81 minutes. And isn't your Happiness worth it?

Welcome to my e-newsletter, which focuses on defining and applying the Principles of Happiness and Positive Emotion in your life and work.

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1. Reduce Stress in 60 Seconds
2. In the Workplace: Stress Costs You Money!
3. Take Your Coaching to New Heights
4. About the Coach

"Your mind is a very dangerous place. You should not be in there without adult supervision" ~Life Coach Lurlene

It is no News Flash to reveal that 100% of your stress is self-created. Pain is just pain; clouds are just weather; a badly-behaving boss is just that. Stress comes not from the stuff - it comes from the story you tell yourself about it (for more on "Suffering" and stress, see edition 51).

Small amounts of stress help us improve productivity, meet deadlines, and take action. Too much, or for prolonged periods, and that stress starts to take a physical toll. Sleep suffers, the body starts to break down, and as stress takes permanent root, happiness and joy disappear from your life as illness replaces wellness.

I've written extensively about working with your head to shift your stress, but that's a tough road - your brain constantly Time Travels, obsessing on the past and dreading the future. So let's take another path - through the body.

Stress works like a balloon - it keeps getting bigger and bigger till it pops. When you train your body to release stress, it's like releasing air from the balloon. Each time, you recapture some of your capacity.

Try one or two of these practices several times daily for 30 days, and I promise you'll notice a difference in your stress levels. Enjoy!

1. Notice Your Feet. Uncurl, unfold, uncross, and place them flat on the ground to create a sense of being rooted and grounded and in the Now.
2. Drop Your Shoulders. You hold so much stress there. If they will not drop, scrunch them up close to your ears for a few seconds, then release. Ahhh!
3. Follow Your Breath. For the next 3 breath cycles, simply watch it go in and out. In that moment, you are present.
4. Breathe Deeply. Purposely shift your pattern. E.g. Pull the breath deeper, into your core, or imagine you are breathing through the soles of your feet.
5. Smile With Intention. Put one on as you walk and notice how others mirror it back.
6. Let Your Body Move to the Music. Whether it's tapping your fingers or moving your entire self, feel the rhythm and go with it. (Tip: this is a great one in the car.)
7. Watch a Child. Small children do not yet understand how to Time Travel. Join them in THIS moment.
8. Watch Clouds. Just look up and drift with them for a moment. Enjoy the colors at sunrise or sunset.
9. Sit In Quiet. What do you hear that is normally "invisible"? A ticking clock. The creaky door. Traffic. The hum of ventilation. Your own heartbeat and breath...
10. Go To Black. Place the palms of your hands over your eyes and let your eyes relax for 60 seconds. Observe how all the muscles in your head and upper face release themselves.
11. Pet Your Pet. All Kitty or Rover care about is...Now. Bend over and pet them, or pick up and rub behind the ears. Let their calm emotional state wash over you.
12. Let Gravity Win. From when you arise until you retire, you fight the force of gravity. Lie down - on a bed, a couch, or the floor - and for a moment, let gravity support you.
13. Melt. Sit upright with your back fully supported, feet flat, arms on your lap. Allow everything about you - bones, muscles, breath - to feel heavier and imagine you are melting like chocolate on a hot day.
14. Relax Your Jaw. Using your three middle fingers, find the place just below your ears where your lower jaw hinges. Massage that for a moment, as you let your lower jaw open slightly. Notice how this releases your neck, shoulders, and breath.
15. Go Barefoot. Take off your shoes and sit or walk in bare or stocking feet for 5 minutes.
16. Stand On One Foot. The dynamic tension in your body will shift. Now, stand on the other foot. Hold each side for a few seconds. Bring your attention to how differently your body holds itself when you return to both feet.
17. Shift Position. No matter how you are sitting or standing, take a moment to notice centers of tension, and adjust one part of your posture to release the tension (e.g. unlock your knees, lift your chin, open your shoulders, or otherwise unfold, uncurl, or unclench).
18. Lengthen Your Spine. Access your full height. This subtle shift releases tension and increases confidence whether you are sitting or standing. ("I have a backbone!")

And with a nod to the brain, remember you can still:

19. Change a Thought. The judgment you hold about a person or situation contributes more to your stress than anything physical. Let go of the "story." (If your reaction to that is, "easier said than done," refer to 1-18 above.)

The 13 Principles of Happiness provide more ideas for living a happier, less-stress life. Download a copy to post at your desk or on your fridge at home.

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If you are in HR, you know that the hottest trending topic in the field is wellness. Creating healthier, more positive workplace cultures may very well be THE biggest opportunity leaders (especially HR pros) have ever had to impact the bottom line through people.

The Universe must agree with me. As I wrote this ezine, I received a new study from the Gallup Organization with some scary new data on the cost of stress in the workplace. Here's a number for you:

The average ADDITIONAL cost for healthcare between a "suffering" unhappy employee and one who is happy and well is $7,314 annually, or 62% more. And that gap increase annually as healthcare costs outpace inflation. Whoa!

I invite you to read the executive summary here. This is real data, folks. Share it with your leaders. It all starts with them!

Direct link:
http://businessjournal.gallup.com/content/154643/Unhealthy-Stressed-Employees-Hurting-Business.aspx

Remember, Leadership is not about a title: Anyone can be a leader who strives to build a healthier workplace.

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"As a result of my experience with Jim, I was able to pass my certification on the first try, and I am a stronger and more confident coach now." ~Margarita Plasencia, Miami, FL

For four years I've served as Mentor Coach for two global coaching programs. For me, this is a great opportunity to Give Back to the profession I love AND support the emergence of strong, skilled coaches for the world.

In late 2011 I was approached by a group of coaches seeking a mentor for their private group. I created a one-off process - but then out of nowhere other groups materialized, and they are raving about the value. So I recently added a new service to my offerings, specifically for coaches seeking to become better, faster.

If you are an internal or external coach with an interest in taking your coaching skills to higher levels, I invite you to check out the Build-Your-Own-Group option on my website.

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Hi, I'm Jim Smith, PCC, The Executive Happiness Coach^®. I work with smart, successful people like you, who secretly struggle with stress and overwhelm as you strive to succeed at the next level. I help you become a better leader AND dump the stress.

I have helped thousands of leaders and business owners just like you to increase effectiveness at work AND live a happier, more balanced life. Contact me to learn how you can create a less-stress leadership presence.

If you received this from a friend, SUBSCRIBE now to get your own copy in the future, plus you'll get a valuable leadership report!

All things Happiness Coach:

Blog: www.LifeWithHappiness.com. Connect on LinkedIn, Facebook.

            

View past editions at http://www.TheExecutiveHappinessCoach.com/newsletter/archives.cfm.

Copyright © 2012, All Rights Reserved. Reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: "From HAPPINESS@THESPEEDOFLIFE, by Jim Smith, PCC, The Executive Happiness Coach®. For more tips on Leading with Less Stress, visit www.TheExecutiveHappinessCoach.com." If you choose to do otherwise, I will be very unhappy.

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