Last week, I let stress get the best of me. So, this weekend I cancelled all my plans and did what I needed to do. I relaxed, slept, organized and did things for just me. Not too ironically, I woke up this morning migraine free for the first time in weeks. I couldn’t be more relieved.
These are the things I’m going to focus on to help keep my stress levels down:
Find the Joy in my Accomplishments: As my husband reminded me the other day, I need to find joy in all that I have accomplished the past few years. I’m in a good place with life and need to enjoy it.
Slow down: I’ve been rushing through my daily life way too much, so I’m going to slow down as much as possible and just let breathe.
Embrace Doing Nothing: As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that sometimes doing nothing is exactly what I need to do. I need this time to recharge and decompress. I need to make this a habit.
Don’t Be So Hard on Myself: I’m not perfect and there is no rule that I have to be Superwoman. Enough said.
Don’t fall for the comparison trap: With Facebook and Pinterest, it’s so easy to get sucked into the idea that you’re not keeping up with the Joneses. So I’m going to quit trying, it only causes me stress.
Practice Gratitude Daily: The only way I’m going to live in the moment is if I realize the good things that surround me. I’m going to finish reading The Magic and report back on this.
So there you have it, a few reminders of what I need to focus on to manage my stress. Eventually, I know I will find the balance I have been looking for.
What do you do to destress yourself? Anything you do regularly that helps keep your stress levels at bay?
YAY for migraine free mornings!! Loving these tips! I need to remember to slow down and just enjoy the moment, that’s a hard one for me!
I struggle with it too! I think as women were always planning, organizing and focusing on the next thing. We need to remember to enjoy!
Great post! The best thing for me to do to decompress is to turn off the tv, unplug my laptop, and read a book. Getting lost in a story helps me forget what was stressing me out to begin with and usually by the time I’m done reading, whatever was stressing me out is not as big as an issue.
I love this. I’ve been trying to read more and look forward to at the end of the night. But then life seems to get in the way, sigh…
Great post, Katie! I need to do the same. I have a hard time sleeping on Sunday nights (before the big work week), so I’ve tried lots of bubble baths, hot tea and books! I love your suggestions, too!
Thanks! Bubble baths are my favorite. And agree, sleeping on Sunday nights is SO hard!
These are all good tips! I do try to celebrate ANY accomplishment, since sometimes it’s easy to feel like you haven’t done much, or could do more/better.
The most important way for me to keep stress at bay (or try!) is to talk about it – if I don’t, I bottle things up and that never goes very well. Shopping also helps too, but I’m trying to cut down on that
You are so right. I’m a total bottler too. I’ve been working on it though, but admittedly sometimes it all comes out at once and it’s like a bomb went off! Haha
I think points 3, 4, and 5 are fantastic and very true. While it’s (embarrassingly) easy for me to do nothing all day, the feeling of guilt sometimes lingers when it shouldn’t. There’s nothing wrong with dedicating an entire day to doing absolutely nothing. Sometimes it’s what we really need. I also used to be very hard on myself back in my school years (especially in high school and college), and the biggest lesson I took away from my experiences is to forgive myself. It was (and continues) to be one of the most challenging things to do personally but I’ve gotten better with time! Finally, the dreaded comparison trap is the worst! Facebook makes it all too easy for people to glamorize their lives so I’ve learned to take everything I see with a grain of salt. Nothing is ever as it appears…
Happy Tuesday!
You are so wise! I love your attitude on life!