“Living With Margin in Your Life” Presented By: Jo Lynn Bright, LCMFT, CST

Margin Defined… The space between my _____ and my _____.

Do You Have Too Much? Activity Choices Work Debt Media Exposure Change

Modern Advances in MY Lifetime Microwave Oven Cell Phone Drive-Thru Windows Laptop Computers Pizza Delivery E-Reader Media Private Phone Line Arena of Medicine 24/7 Convenience Affordable Air Travel Super Highways Day Care Centers WNBA Exploring Space

The Result… _ _ _ _ _ _

Question: Are you doing the things that are _________ to you?

Mental Wellness Stats 75% – 90% of all doctor visits are for stress-related ailments/complaints Approximately 20.9 million American adults have a mood disorder; 40 million have anxiety disorder Women are affected by depression almost twice as often as men Major depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States; costing $30 billion/year One in six cases of depression may be caused by unhappiness at work 2/3 of those depressed never seek treatment 80% – 90% of those seeking treatment feel better within a few weeks

56 Effective Stress Management Activities Read favorite magazine List 7 things you are grateful for today Cook or bake something Search for a new book Garden Listen to a podcast Call a friend Listen to music Pray Write a thank you note Search for a new recipe Visit a friend Volunteer Play a card game Play a computer game Write a letter Look over your goals for the year List 7 things you are excited about today

56 Effective Stress Management Activities Try a new food Plan out your evening Plan out your next day Organize Memorize scripture Explore somewhere new Play a board game Brew coffee or tea Research a topic online Rearrange furniture Think about a favorite hobby Read a book Visit a museum Ride your bike Write down 3 goals for the month Take pictures (of people you know) Organize & edit pictures

56 Effective Stress Management Activities Breathe deeply Stretch Take a walk Go fishing Search for music Exercise Walk a nature trail Care for a pet Write Watch a favorite movie Watch a documentary Make something crafty Do a puzzle Draw or paint Juggle Play a sport Play an instrument Make a to-do list Look at old family pictures Take a nap

What is “Mental Wellness?” Balance Sense of Humor Decision-Making Ability Coping Skills Clear Communication Consistent Self Care Hardiness Healthy Relationships Ability to Focus

Exercise: Core Values The center circle represents your core values and sense of purpose. Determine what you really value in life. Place a mark by each core value that resonates with you. Narrow your choices down to 5-8 core values. Take steps to live a value-centered life. Let your core values guide your daily life decisions.

Exercise: Life Wheel The center circle represents your core values and sense of purpose. Each area represents your desired life On a scale of 0 – 10, shade each area according to how close it comes to your core values. Does your life wheel match up with your core values? Focus on one area—list steps you can take to move closer to your core values.

Building & Maintaining Margin Emotional Energy ________ Energy Economic _________ _________ Health Relationship ____________

What Needs to Change?

Best/Worst Analysis What is the best thing that will happen if I do this? What is the worst thing that will happen if I do this? What is the best thing that will happen if I don’t do this? What is the worst thing that will happen if I don’t do this?

Resources “Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives” (Richard A. Swenson, M.D.) “Take the Risk” (Ben Carson, M.D.)