5 ways to manage stress

People are constantly asking me how I manage my stress load. This is an important task to accomplish because too much stress can bring on a seizure for me. My daily life consists of very little time to sit and relax. On a normal weekday I have on average 3 classes and work at night. When I'm not in class, I'm either at the library, food court catching a quick bite to eat, in my apartment, or in one of the buildings I have classes in. At the end of the week, on Sunday, I will have had worked 2 part-time jobs equaling on average 35-40 hours. In addition, I carry 16 hours of classes at school. If I don't manage stress, stress will overwhelm me.

1) DEFINE YOUR GOALS. Everyone has goals in life they want to achieve at some point. Some want a college degree, a family, and eventually children. Others may want to travel the world and explore as much as they can see. Wherever your goals take you, remember one thing: if you set them too high, or too low, they run the risk of never being achieved. Set yourself realistic goals: If you want to publish a novel, then have a chapter down every 2 months.

2) EXERCISE. Exercise plays a big role in my life. At Walmart, I am constantly lifting heavy items at the register for customers. As a sales associate for 5 years, I did it even more so on a daily basis. Whenever I have the chance, I am normally walking to my classes. Studies show that walking only 20 minutes a day can help reduce stress. I walk much more than this, so I'm sure I'm managing my stress well. Yoga is a good form of exercise that reduces stress, while aerobic exercise also helps calm the nervous system.

3) BE OPTIMISTIC. Studies have shown that those that have a positive attitude are more successful. It's also a good idea to avoid, or manage well, being around negative people. For myself, this will always be a love-hate relationship I have to deal with in my family. I remain optimistic because I have seen the alternative, and my motto has always been to never take life too seriously.

4) RELAX. At the end of the day, pull up a chair and put on some relaxing music. Read a magazine or go out with friends for a night on the town. Don't forget to laugh and have and have a good time. Life is too short to be taken serious all the time. Enjoy yourself, and embrace life as it comes at you.

5) SLEEP. Finally, get enough sleep at night. If you're only getting 4-5 hours each night, then you're going to be exhausted and stressed out. It's recommended that people get 8 hours, but everyone is different. I usually do just fine with 7, and then there's nights I sleep 10 hours. If you get REM sleep a few times a week, which is where you dream, this is considered to be very healthy. This can help bring your stress level down considerably.

Jeff Dunham on Comedy Central

This is my new favorite comedian on Comedy Central. Enjoy.

The Secret of Giving

This is one of my all-time favorite songs by Reba McEntire. I don't consider this a Christmas song, and listen to it all year round. She has inspired me so much, and changed the way I think about myself. Her music is so motivational and inspiring that I consider her one of my favorite artists.

Rising or setting sun?

(Both of these images have came from http://www.ushistory.org)

In my government class last Friday, we had an interesting discussion. For those of you unfamiliar with this chair, it's George Washington's chair he sat in. However, whether the sun is setting or rising is a matter of opinion for everyone. For the past 8 years, I would've said it was setting. For those that know me well, you know I don't care much for George W. Bush. His economic values were bad, and he put us in a war that he his foreign policy leader advised him against in the first place. However, that's water under the bridge and America, especially Barak Obama, must move forward to clean up George W. Bush's mistakes. And, there are many of them.

I agree that the sun is rising. I changed my political party from Republican to Democratic for a variety of reasons. First, I find politics very boring--although writing about them can become very interesting. All the Republicans I have read up on, whether they be governors, senators, or presidents have had much of the same ideas. They want to spend money on wars, raise taxes, and bring the economy down.

Democratics, on the other hand, care about what the people's vote in the country. They realize people themselves run this country, and it's not the politicians. If it wasn't for us, politicians would be out of work. They care about progress and want to see change in America. They want to make it better, lower taxes, and want to see a prospering economy. I tend to trust democratics much more.

I stand behind my vote for Barak Obama. Not only will he bring the rise in the economy we hope to see, but he will bring changes that will benefit society as a whole. In a recession, only hope can prosper the seed of change. Barak Obama will lead us in the transition to get America back to economic wealth.

Jobs I Would Like To Have

With two more years left of school, I can say I'm already looking for jobs. I'm saving every penny I can and doing everything I can to prepare myself for the harshness of the real world. Where there are jobs for Journalism B.A.s, I will have to go. I'm already worried that I won't be able to find work because my friends that are graduating this year are graduating into a struggling economy. However, if you're prepared and qualified then you should be able to find work. I'm a hard worker and take it as it comes to me. Having that said, here are the jobs I'd like to have and I'll be qualified to do with a B.A. in Journalism.

First and foremost, I would like a job as a news reporter. After all, this is the heart of true Journalism--going to the scene and talking to the sources, getting quotes and facts, and writing the story. I love the deadlines. Give me a deadline and I will meet it--every time. I suppose it's wired in me. While I'm just designing for my college paper this semester & last semester, I still have plenty of time here to write. I should be writing for Helium more than I am, and I also have a blog. Reporters, at most papers, start out at $50,000. Not too bad for going out in rain, snow and floods to get a story then going to the office to get it typed up. They have a tough, really rough job but I would be up to the challenges it presents each day.

For about 14 months now, I have been a Freelance Writer. The salary? Not nearly what I have expected, but honestly--this job pays what you put into it. Sorry, boss--I've shown up late for work, skipped a few days and slept in. However, I do end up coming back! If I set myself a realistic goal each month that I could meet, this freelancing could take off. However, I'm up against 2 part-time jobs and 16 hrs of classes (not to mention all the homework that NEVER ENDS!!!) When I find time to sleep, I take advantage of it. However, I do love Helium.com and I think I will always be here.

Next, I think I could find satisfaction in becoming a researcher. I love digging into libraries and seeing what I can find. My organization techniques could be sharpened, but that wouldn't take long to perfect. I can find many things on the Internet in databases including files such as books, journals and magazines. It'd be useful to get to know other research techniques by working with a research assistant. I'm not sure I would look to this as a "permanent" career, but as a temporary one to sharpen my skills as a reporter and journalist. Anything I can do to benefit my career I will take into consideration.

What I really like to do is to design newspaper pages. I have always been really good with computers for about 15 years now, and I know many different Windows platforms. I know several software programs, including Mac software such as InDesign and Photoshop. I have designed pages all year for my college paper, and I think I'd enjoy doing this for a career. We should see how this plan turns out as I get closer to my graduation. I could literally end up anywhere in the United States and while this is exciting, this is very scary.

The one that I would like to have, that may be the toughest and compelling yet, is that of a copyeditor. This is what I do for my college newspaper, but I realize on-the-job in the real world I will have to be more skilled in style, grammar and punctuation. Don't underestimate what I'm saying, please. I'm great at all those (except for perhaps style). My handwriting is excellent, and I hardly ever misspell a word. However, copyeditors have to know everything and make sure everything is flawless. In the end, they still make mistakes simply because they are humans, too. This would not be one of my favorite jobs, but I could do it if I had to at a paper.

When I get into the real world, opportunities will be endless. I could be a technical writer, grant writer, or fiction writer. I could go into several editor positions once I'm into the magazine or newspaper industry long enough. I have the advance of living in a time when a woman has the right to get an education--a college education. Furthermore, for most of it I have paid my way through. I just paid my own laptop and my parents are only helping on my financial aid forms. My two jobs pay for everything I need and once I'm out of school, I'll look back and say it was worth it.

Barak Obama: America's 44th President

Last November, America was faced with difficult choices as they went to the polls. John McCain was our "traditional" candidate, and he's what we've always had in the White House. The opposing side represented change and culture: Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Each had their focus, but Americans cared mostly about two things: Iraq and the economy. Today, on Barak Obama's inauguration day, America is seeing a new moment in history. Barak Obama will be our 1st black president and Americans are hoping he will pull us out of this recession.

One specific thought that comes to mind is how passionate Obama is with people. He seems to be caring and thoughtful, whereas our former president wasn't really involved that much. He only made appearances at natural disasters to hand out borrowed money, and he vetoed bills that could've helped medical research. Also, he got us involved in a war that we never should have gone to in the first place. George W. Bush has sacrificed thousands of lives, and it's only drained our economy of money.

With Obama's $825 billion-dollar stimulus plan being proposed, perhaps he will come through for the working class. He wants to create more jobs and cut taxes. While we've heard all this before, I believe Barak Obama has what it takes to get the job done. This stimulus plan will effect everyone, and I think it shouldn't be too long after he takes office, according to some reports.

All the interviews I have seen with Obama and his family I have enjoyed. I wasn't at all surprised to see Oprah in the crowd on election night. There's a reason that Barak Obama got into the White House. While I have stopped voting Republican and gone Democratic, I think the majority has done this. It's like Hillary Clinton said during her campaign, "The Democratics represent progress." Republicans will only hurt us more if they're in the White House. After 4 years with someone like George W. Bush, who wouldn't vote for change?

I'm happy how I voted and I'm standing my ground for it. Anything is better than the last 8 years we have had in this country. Don't we deserve a shot at something better?

My seizures

There are days I question my existance. I believe God has a purpose for every living creature, but what mine is I couldn't tell you. This is particularly due to my seizure disorder. Most people are only in the hospital when they're born and when their children are born. For myself, my hospital stays began at 10 months old. My temperature was 104 for three days, and my only scars are brain damage, learning disabilities, and difficulty using the muscles in my left hand. I often lose my balance, but don't be alarmed--it's just a side effect of my seizure medicine.

I was diagnosed with encephalitis which is rare in children. I went through all the physical therapy, but I still can't carry things in my left hand. Often times people will ask if I've had a stroke because they see me holding items in my left hand and then then removing them with my right hand to set them down. I do this alot at work as a cashier. Or, I'll hold heavy items close to my body if they're in my left hand. Often the muscles in my hand will tremor and shake and if the item's close to my body it won't fall. It's paranoia to an extent, or perhaps just an uncomfortable feeling.

My last seizure was less than 24 hours ago. It was a petite mal seizure where your brain literally "checks out" for a matter of minutes. It happened in my shower, which for me is the second scariest place to have a seizure. I have had petite mal in my childhood, but my last one was at age 12, 16 years ago. The first would be to awaken to one in bed, but thankfully I never have.

The big finale of seizures is grand mal seizures. These actually cause you to black out and fall to the ground. Your muscles lose power, and you literally collapse where you stand. I have had these my entire life. My last one was seven months ago, and similar to the one yesterday, it was in my shower. I know when one is coming on, but I can't prevent it from happening. I think this is what frustrates me most of this disorder. I don't know when the next one is coming, and I can't stop it.

This has led me to question many things in my life. I began this blog to help others understand why everything is so hard me. I am so terrified of driving because as I get behind the wheel, I fear for my life and the lives of others. Three years ago I blacked out while driving on a country road. Nobody was involved in the accident but me, but I have to face this demon everyday. It could happen again, and I would have no control to stop it.

Someday, after I graduate college and start my career, I hope to work with those who have seizures. As I've been learning, many of my friends have seizures or have had them. It's nothing to be ashamed of if you do. It's just one of my biggest annoyances right now. I wish I had full control over my body. I have to stay healthy, get exercise, and get at least 8 hours each night. I can't smoke or drink due to my medication. It's a barrier I'm still trying to jump over, but instead it keeps gets higher.

I question my existence because each seizure holds back progress. I'm going for my bachelor's in Journalism and have been writing since I was 8 years old. Each seizure holds me back from my writing, and I'm frustrated by this. All my co-workers and most of my friends know I have them, and most know what to do if I go into one. I just wish I could wake up tomorrow and this life-long condition would be gone. I'd like to wake up and not take medication, or not feel my head hurt at night. Why exist with this life if it's going to be like this?