The Power Of Acceptance.

Stress Management Strategy #4: Accept the things you can't change.

Some sources of stress are unavoidable. You can't prevent or change stressors such as the death of a loved one, a serious illness, or a national recession. In such cases, the best way to cope with stress is to accept things as they are. Acceptance may be difficult, but in the long run, it's easier than railing against a situation you can't change.

One of the keys to accepting the things you can't change is to resist controlling the uncontrollable. Many things in life are beyond our control-- particularly the behavior of other people. Rather than stressing out over them, focus on the things you can control such as the way you choose to react to problems.

As the saying goes, "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger." When facing major challenges, try to look at them as opportunities for personal growth. If your own poor choices contributed to a stressful situation, try reflecting on them. Looking for the upside (a lesson, perhaps) will help you learn from your mistakes.

The theologian Reinhold Niebuhr was the originator of the Serenity Prayer, which emphasizes acceptance of things that can't be changed, the courage to change the things that can be, and the wisdom to know the difference. He also encouraged patience, appreciation, and tolerance.

We can't think of anything that embodies all of the above qualities more than a gift of serenity for a friend or loved one. Have a spa party and share the experience with a group of those you trust and care about. Expressing what you're going through can be very cathartic, even if there's nothing you can do to alter the stressful situation.

You can also deliver the gift of serenity with a gift certificate that the recipient can use for the services of their choice. We now have new themes for the holidays. Plus, you can save time by downloading and printing them directly from your computer.