Motivation Monday: Calm Your Nerves

2012 awards ceremony with three of my scholarship students, Jessika, Cynthia and Brittany!

On Tuesday, Words Alive is hosting its 2013 Words Alive Westreich Scholarship awards ceremony. This will be my fourth year presenting the scholars, and for some reason this year I have a lot of pressure - from the founder being in the audience for the first time, potential media, over 50-minutes of presentation and of course, my emotional tribute to Leroy. To say the least, I'm nervous to stumble and cry. Well to be honest, every year I cry which has become a joke amongst the scholarship students - "oh look, Chrissy is crying over us again!" LOL! But this year, I'm not sure I will be even able to speak giving a eulogy-like speech about how much Leroy meant to Words Alive and me. But, I'm employing some relaxation tips. Check 'em out!

Borrowed from Rejuvenation Lounge. Thanks, Carole!

1. Melt the frown. Smile and release the worry.  It takes energy to hold a tense, tight frown on your forehead. Check in with your forehead now – lose the frown then relax the skin across your forehead. Notice how you release the pressure in your temples as well when you melt the frown. Un-clench your jaw, relax your tongue (very important) and part your teeth slightly. This will help release facial and neck tension.  You might even notice your shoulders relaxing and dropping at the same time.
2. Take a chill pill. Close your eyes, cup the palms of your hands over your ears, now listen to the sounds of the ocean playing inside your head. Continue until you feel your nerves a little less frazzled, your thoughts a little calmer and your breathing more relaxed.
3. Repeat a calming mantra: Use your thoughts to fuel your body with a constant stream of calming and relaxing thoughts. Mantras work because they take your focus away from the stress and drama (just for a moment) and invite more peace into your life. 
4. Take a mental health break: A less crowded mind means your nervous system is calmer.  Take regular breaks from too much thinking and bring your awareness back into your body. Do your best to have an enjoyable morning and afternoon tea away from your desk in a pleasant environment. Listen to the requests of your body; drink when thirsty, stretch and move when you need to and never skip a meal. An added bonus; A quiet mind has direct access to wisdom and insight.
5. Hug well and hug often: Give a hug or receive a hug, either way hug well and hug often. Hugging and cuddling is therapeutic, healing and calming.
6. Cancel, clear, delete your energy drains: Notice what zaps your precious energy and reduce your exposure to gossip, shopping centers, busy places, certain friends or family members.
7. Hum your worries away: Time to Hum. Place your hand on top of your head, smile, now start humming.

I actually feel calmer just copying and editing this text. I will definitely try this Tuesday morning!

Least favorite pastime, public speaking. Oh vey!