When you wake up in the morning do you think to yourself 'today I'll be more like Martha Stewart' but by 4 o'clock you're about as frazzled as Ally McBeal. Maybe it begins something like this. Your phone won't stop ringing and you look down at your watch only to realize that you were supposed to be at a meeting fifteen minutes ago. As you hop in the car and race across town your head begins to throb and panic sets in because you forgot about your daughters dance recital later that evening.
Does this sound like a typical day in your life? Do you find yourself committing to two or three projects at once and no matter how neatly you pencil it into your leather organizer you still can't seem to juggle it. Do you even remember the last time you did something for yourself? The good new is your not alone. But, it's definitely time to take a stress break and reprioritize your self.
Although it may seem efficient to constantly be on the go and taking on multiple tasks, the reality is that you may be doing more harm than good says Stephen Rechtschaffen, M.D., author of Time Shifting: Creating More Time to Enjoy Your Life in an interview with Shape Magazine. "We believe that going faster is the way to get more time. We think that if only we go faster and do more, then time will somehow magically appear. The problem is, that's not what happens."
When we feel anxiety or pressure in our daily routine, we often cut out the things that keep us grounded like exercise, family, relationships, and most importantly rest. Ultimately your attitude and body pay the price. Now what can you do to make a change? Obviously quitting your job and hiring Mary Poppins to take care of the kids is out of the question. What you can do is cut back on your daily commitments. Make time for what's important, but first you need to determine what that is says Stephanie Winston, author of Getting Out From Under: Redefining Your Priorities in and Overwhelming World. Winston says to start with making a list. Setting short-term must be done today tasks and long-term must be done this month goals.
Also, identify what your daily stress factors are, can you change just one of them to lighten the load. It can be as simple as switching off with another mom on who takes the kids to soccer practice on Tuesday nights. Take a moment alone every day. Even just a five-minute bath, a couple pages of your favorite novel, or deep breathing in a quiet room will change your entire outlook. The steps are simple and will most definitely result in a healthier lifestyle for you and your family.
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