Do you ever feel like being stress-free is elusive?  Like an exclusive party that your friends get invited to year after year, and you wish you could go, but your name never makes the cut?

Oh sure, you are stress-free at times – when you have a good laugh over drinks with some colleagues, or look into the eyes of your sweet child.  You are not stressed when you read something inspiring or make a big sale.

But, what about living life MOSTLY stress free?  Is it possible to feel stress free most of the time with a few dips here and there as we navigate life?

What if it was possible to go on a stress free diet?

Every once in a while you would allow yourself a splurge of anxiety, overwhelm or anger.  But for the most part, you would stick to your diet.  Stress-Free would become the new normal and like any successful diet, there would be lots of flexibility built in so that you could truly incorporate less stress as a lifestyle.

Of course, it is possible and you just made it to the invitation list.  So let’s get going!

Coach Me Quick tips for Getting on the Stress-Free Diet:

1. Cupcakes for breakfast:

Cupcakes are moments without stress.  You are probably thinking that you would never miss a cupcake moment.  But, if we are not expecting moments without stress to show up encased in pretty paper wrappers with lots of frosting, we won’t see them.

For the next 30 days, jot down those cupcakes (stress free moments) in your phone or journal.  Notice any patterns?  Can you create more cupcakes in your life?

2. Eliminate parsley:

Parsley is the action you take that causes you pain.  It may be over-volunteering, or repeatedly trusting the wrong people.  It may be that you don’t make time for you, your spouse or family.

Whatever the parsley is for you – take the steps to remove it from your diet.

3. The BEST French Fries EVER for lunch:

French fries are the thoughts you have all day long.  Some of them come from the local fast food chain and are filled with chemicals, Trans fats and everything but potatoes.  They tell you that you are not a very good mother and that you are not smart enough for your job.

The BEST French fries EVER are freshly made to order from the finest potatoes.  These fries are the thoughts that support and empower you.  They remind you that you are kind and loving and deserve to succeed at work and at home.

Life is too short for bad French fries.

4. Toss the Cod Liver Oil:

Cod liver oil is the gunk that the negative people in your life, ooze.  Friends, family and colleagues alike have probably offered you some cod liver oil at one time or another.  When people are negative about themselves, the world, you or your life, they take some of your energy with them.

Find a way to deflect or eliminate the cod liver oil by letting certain relationships go and/or having a frank discussion with those people who you love – they will benefit from letting go too.

5. Comfort food for dinner.

Whether it is Chicken Pot Pie, Vegetable Lasagna or a nice big steak – splurge.  Comfort food is how you give yourself comfort.  It’s your daily self-care.  What can you do for yourself every day?

A daily habit, whether it is meditation, yoga, walking, chatting with your spouse after work or reading a few pages of your book, is so powerful when it is ritualized.

Identify your comfort food and make sure you have some every day.

6. Apple Pie for dessert:

Apple pie is trust in yourself, the people you love and the world you live in.  What do you trust right now?  Maybe you trust your ability to keep your children safe?  You might trust the love and commitment between you and your spouse.  Perhaps you trust your ability to do your job well?

Make a list of all that you trust and add to it each and every day. 

Focus on where you are trusting and see if any of that trust can translate to the areas that challenge you.  If you don’t trust yourself in one area of your life, what would it take to build trust? 

What would it take to eat more apple pie?

Remember you cannot make any mistakes with this diet – only less stress.  Enjoy!

Cooking up some Chicken Pot Pie in LA,

Jamee

P.S. Happy Mother’s DAY!!!  Here are my 7 Simple Hacks for Saving Time and Energy!

Photo credit: Rachel Kramer Bussel via Compfight