Belt Drive Betty's Blog

Coping Strategies from My Friends....

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQ2W3_X_rKltkaRat9B0846mOjcsxmfA3pOFwIY742P_qVVnK-v0PHm3lVTkDw2apQ2JPp-4Rc6DyfsjggfSCCxs_m_6Bv4Gwgfk1Z8cqYh7scj3o5yO1w25QujcyOAtewdIH/s1600/mental-health-3285625_640.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="640" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQ2W3_X_rKltkaRat9B0846mOjcsxmfA3pOFwIY742P_qVVnK-v0PHm3lVTkDw2apQ2JPp-4Rc6DyfsjggfSCCxs_m_6Bv4Gwgfk1Z8cqYh7scj3o5yO1w25QujcyOAtewdIH/s320/mental-health-3285625_640.png" width="320" /></a></div>
 
Coping Strategies from My Friends 
 
I recently posted on my Facebook page about how I have been feeling very overwhelmed this last while.  And with the holidays upon us, I wanted some additional ideas on how to stay a little more centered. 
 
I asked my friends for their coping methods and man did I get some amazing suggestions: 
 
From Patty: Riding my motorcycle. In the winter I colour, listen to good music, and I know this is sick but I clean. 
 
From Georgina: Have you tried putting yourself in a quiet, darkened room with no electronics on except some nature music and just focus on the nature music? Mellow spa type music works too. 
Deep relaxed breathing. 
Try it for 15 min to start. 
Once you let yourself have that time, you can easily work up to 30 min a day. Or more if u need it. 
The less sensory interruptions (light, noise, touch) the better. 
 
From Maureen:  I've always cleaned when stressed. When my husband came home and saw a dust rag in my back pocket, he'd throw his hat in the door first, lol 
 
From Gary: Nap, 30 minutes can give you a new outlook! 
 
From Deborah: Driving with the radio on loud 
 
From Louise: Music. I drive to my special spot and sit and listen to music loud. Mine is at the water. 
 
From Michelle: I use mindless games to distract my brain... Candy Crush, Jelly Crush, Soda Crush, Farm Saga, about 8 different ones. Run out of lives switch games.. Since their on my phone I don't need Wi-Fi, can play sitting in an office waiting room, in crowds.. Focusing on that slows my racing thoughts... Or I jog 
 
From Shannon: I use Himalayan Salt Lamps in my home. It changes the ions in the air and makes the atmosphere calm and peaceful. I also use music and meditation tapes. 
 
From Joan: Stop trying to do it all! Don’t take things persona. 
And think ... This to shall pass... what seems so important today will not be so important in a day or two! Have a hoot once in a while! Don’t worry about what others think! 
 
From Barry: I don't get overwhelmed anymore since starting to meditate 2 years ago and letting go of my Past. If I did get those feelings now I would meditate. 
 
From Robert: I listen to ambient trance while working. It keeps me calm and does wonders for my depression. You can download it from you tube. 
 
From Floyd:  I use the three rule of stress management. 
1) Don't sweat the small stuff 
2) Consider it all small stuff 
3) If the stuff is big enough to give you stress, then f@<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/k?hc_location=ufi">#K</a> it, it will soon take care of itself. 
If by following these three simple rules you still have stress refer back to Rule #1. 
 
By following these rules you should be able to maintain a stress level of 3 or less on a scale of 10. 
 
From Dave: Break it down into small pieces one thing at a time. Think of it like this... if you had to see all the dishes you were going to wash for the rest your life at one time you would be overwhelmed. If you watch your dishes every day or even better yet right after every meal does not seem to be such a formidable task that. Good luck and I really hope whatever’s going on you can find serenity peace and calmness. 
Remember too, you’ve already survived the worst days of your life and you made it. 
 
From Shauna: I knit or crochet or color in my kids coloring books. And I bake and eat and color in my swears colouring book as well. 
 
As you can see there is no one size fits all answer, but there are some strategies I can see me implementing! 
 
Colouring - HMMM, this might be a great time to announce our COLOURING BOOKS! 
 
The Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association is hosting a membership drive! 
Individual Membership is $50 per year and there are some fantastic perks. 
And this is our initial membership drive! 
 
There are memberships for associations and business too that also come with some wonderful perks. 
 
Find out more at: 
 
<a href="http://www.motorcycletourism.ca/" target="_blank">Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Website</a>

Coping Strategies from My Friends....

Coping Strategies from My Friends I recently posted on my Facebook page about how I have been feeling very overwhelmed this last while....

Our 2018 Christmas Gift Guide, helping you find great products from Rider Owned, Rider Friendly Businesses...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizscQmUlgmoTXZfxOK9CijkhiHyDE26S39Shrs4j9Ej5RbCQiWIC4GZWY0S5OkFBHKFlkkJf51HhquVtUl_6OT9ZkbQPCfPbOw3A3-r9AlV06gtM0a-qPOwA1IiBU4Owve-RrF/s1600/rfba-gift-guide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizscQmUlgmoTXZfxOK9CijkhiHyDE26S39Shrs4j9Ej5RbCQiWIC4GZWY0S5OkFBHKFlkkJf51HhquVtUl_6OT9ZkbQPCfPbOw3A3-r9AlV06gtM0a-qPOwA1IiBU4Owve-RrF/s320/rfba-gift-guide.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Our 2018 Christmas Gift Guide, helping you find great products from Rider Owned, Rider Friendly Businesses... 
 
The Rider Friendly Business Association is filled with small businesses that truly want to help you find that perfect gift, piece of jewelry, clothing, book, bike, hotel, motel, experience.... 
 
Our 2018 Gift Guide has some incredible ideas in it! 
 
The gift ideas numbering system is based on when the idea was sent in to us, not by any special rating or ranking. 
 
The First 8 Gift Ideas come from U Need Parts dot CA. 
 
Oil coolers, primary covers, brake pedals, audio headsets, grips and more await at <a href="http://uneedparts.ca/">uneedparts.ca</a> 
 
Gift idea number 9 is a real winner - a trip to ride BMW motorcycles in Tibet! 
This 10 day vacation includes 6 days of riding, your motorcycle rental and insurance, all attraction passes, your Chinese Visitors Visa, your Chinese Motorcycle License, and all of your hotel rooms, and breakfasts not to mention transfers to and from the hotel and airport and a tour guide and chase truck!  A special damage deposit agreement was arranged at $1000 US for the F800GS, there are other bikes available. 
 
Easy Rider Tours in Tibet has arranged for a special Airfare price which is $600 Canadian ROUND TRIP, with 2 bags and a meal included. The entire trip will cost you roughly $3000 - $3,200 American per person including your lunches, suppers, fuel and spending money. (depending on your appetite) 
 
Visit <a href="https://www.riderfriendly.com/for-riders/riding-tibet">https://www.riderfriendly.com/for-riders/riding-tibet</a> to find out more. 
 
We are featuring two books this season from two of my most favourite lady riders and authors. 
 
Tamela Rich's book"Hit the Road" a Woman's Guide to Motorcycle Touring is an amazing resource on solo riding and Liz Jansen's book "Crash Landing"  tells the tale of a life very well lived. 
 
Both books are incredible! 
 
You can get Tamela's Book at <a href="http://tamelarich.com/">tamelarich.com</a> and Liz's book at l<a href="http://izjansen.com/">izjansen.com</a>. 
 
Gift idea number 12 is also a book, but is geared towards kids.  The Bikers are Animals series by Paul Jamiol help kids understand the different bikes and people who ride them in a fun and imaginative way and his cartooning skills really shine through. In every book there are colouring pages so that parents, grand parents and kids can get in on the action! 
Check them out at: <a href="http://bikersareanimals.com/">bikersareanimals.com</a> 
 
MotoChic Gear has some incredible offerings this year, of course there is the trusty Lauren Bag that is becoming a staple in the urban lady rider's wardrobe which is our gift guide idea #13. MotoChic Gear is also offering up the Bess Bag and the Ladies Antimicrobial Muscle Tee as well in spots 17 & 18. See all their great ideas at: <a href="http://motochicgear.com/">motochicgear.com</a> 
 
Gigi Montrose has her amazing "Fearless" jacket up for grabs in position 14. This is a wonderfully functional jacket that will protect you with it's kevlar and make you feel feminine all at the same time ladies! 
 
Check out the "Fearless Jacket" at <a href="http://gigimontrose.com/">gigimontrose.com</a> 
 
My friend and all round talented gal Shaunagh McLeod is offering up her hand wrapped pendants. 
These unique pieces are perfect that for the special gal in your life guys - or for yourself ladies... 
Email Shaunagh at shaunaghmcl @ gmail.com  (Fix the spaces!) 
 
Freedom Heated Clothing from Esterhazy Saskatchewan has a way to help extend that riding season. With vests, jackets, chap liners and gauntlets, you never have to truly be cold on your motorcycle again and, you can get a set of gloves, a jacket and chap liners for about the price of heated grips! 
 
Check them out at <a href="http://heatedclothing.ca/">heatedclothing.ca</a> 
 
Another amazing gift idea is number 20 and it comes from Marion Redpath over at Calgary Harley-Davidson and Betty from <a href="https://www.riderfriendly.com/index.php/bettys-bnb" target="_blank">Betty's BnB with Air BnB</a>.  A Two Day Rental and Two Nights at Betty's! That's right, get the one you love a gift certificate for travel and accommodations from two wonderful owner operators and combine them into that perfect weekend getaway. Ideal for the person who works away and only has a short period for days off! 
Contact Marion at <a href="https://www.calgaryharleydavidson.ca/--rent-a-harley-davidson" target="_blank">Calgary Harley-Davidson</a> for more details. 
 
We also have some great stocking stuffer ideas from a couple of the riding clubs we promote - the Harley-Davidson of Edmonton Community Ladies of Harley Calendar that raises money for Kipnes House AND tickets on a motorcycle raffle from the Canadian Legion of Riders in North Battleford SK!!!! 
 
Check them out too! 
 
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Rider Friendly Business Association and Belt Drive Betty Media - Helping Riders Shop with Rider Owned, Rider Friendly Businesses!</div>
 
Visit our online gift guide to see all of the gift ideas up close and personal - visit: 
<a href="https://riderfriendly.com/for-riders/gift-guide-2018">https://riderfriendly.com/for-riders/gift-guide-2018</a> 
 
If you are blessed enough to live where you can be riding, please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you and PLEASE, put a few miles on for me! 
 
Belt Drive Betty, 
Editor & Rider