What one thing could help you reduce stress related to your home, finances, time, energy and emotions? It's something we don't often think about across multiple categories like this.
Good stress management is based on having resilience.
Resilience means having reserves, hidden stores to draw upon in time of need.
It means you're not always scrambling just to stay even with the daily demands of your life.
Think about it.
How much of your This-Is-Driving-Me-Crazy-stress is related to running to the store at the last minute, almost every day?Or to bouncing checks because you cut it too close at the end of your pay period?Or time slipping away as you chauffeur the kids to their different activities?How much of your stress is about your energy leaking out as the day winds down but you still have umpteen things to accomplish?How about when you're snapping at everyone because you have lost your emotional resilience? Each one of these episodes may seem like a relatively small, annoying event.
But when several hit at once, you can be left reeling with stress.
In each case, more reserves and resilience could mean much less stress! How to Create Reserves With just a little attention ahead of time you can create reserves to cushion the shock of stress and allow you to respond with more healthy resilience.
Here are some tips to get you started.
Be creative and adapt these ideas to your specific needs.
1.
Supplies.
When items that you use frequently are on special, buy one or two extra to have in reserve.
Gradually build up your pantry and stock of spare parts:batteries, toilet paper, tuna, frozen peas, dog food.
Whatever you frequently have to run to buy would be great to keep stocked so you never run out.
Next time you don't have to make a special run to the store, congratulate yourself thoroughly! 2.
Money.
This takes a bit of discipline -- or self-trickery.
Don't allow yourself to write checks reducing your account below your comfort level for a safety margin.
Or, write out an amount to be a "cushion" each payday.
Deduct it like a payment, but it's purpose is to build that level of reserves in your account, and to make you forget that it's there so you won't be tempted to write the account down too low.
(Remember to account for this amount when you balance your checkbook, but just keep adding to it to build those reserves.
)An old fashioned savings account helps too!Pay yourself first every month.
3.
Time.
Thinking ahead is critical to allow for reserves of time.
If other people are involved, you may need to calculate time for their procrastination, lost boots, and so on.
If you drive high traffic routes, have seasonal road construction or icy roads, you need to allow extra drive time as well.
Especially the first time through, whether for a major project, a home repair task, or a complex drive, add 50 percent more time than you think it should take, to allow for stress free completion.
4.
Energy.
Building energy (consistently eating well, staying hydrated, exercising regularly), and getting enough sleep are two keys for having energy in reserve.
Caffeine and sports drinks only give a temporary boost and often an energy let down in a short time.
While it's not intuitively obvious, when your energy is flagging, taking time for a tennis game, a walk, a stretch routine, or a dance break to lively music could be just the thing to boost your vitality.
5.
Emotions.
Creating emotional resilience requires paying attention to your own needs.
Self-nurturing could include things like a bubble bath, a cup of hot chocolate or special tea, fresh flowers on the table, a massage, or a long chat with a friend.
Building emotional reserves could also mean a need for counseling or a support group, finding an outlet for creativity (anything from scrapbooking to writing your first novel), or deepening the practice of your faith or spiritual approach to life.
How can you better love, accept, forgive, support, and nurture yourself? Begin Where You Find the Greatest Need For each of the strategies above, taking small steps consistently will yield impressive results.
Begin where you find the greatest need and take one step now.
You're worth having reserves on hand, inwardly and outwardly, and your lowered stress levels will let you know you are on the right track.
Good stress management is based on having resilience.
Resilience means having reserves, hidden stores to draw upon in time of need.
It means you're not always scrambling just to stay even with the daily demands of your life.
Think about it.
How much of your This-Is-Driving-Me-Crazy-stress is related to running to the store at the last minute, almost every day?Or to bouncing checks because you cut it too close at the end of your pay period?Or time slipping away as you chauffeur the kids to their different activities?How much of your stress is about your energy leaking out as the day winds down but you still have umpteen things to accomplish?How about when you're snapping at everyone because you have lost your emotional resilience? Each one of these episodes may seem like a relatively small, annoying event.
But when several hit at once, you can be left reeling with stress.
In each case, more reserves and resilience could mean much less stress! How to Create Reserves With just a little attention ahead of time you can create reserves to cushion the shock of stress and allow you to respond with more healthy resilience.
Here are some tips to get you started.
Be creative and adapt these ideas to your specific needs.
1.
Supplies.
When items that you use frequently are on special, buy one or two extra to have in reserve.
Gradually build up your pantry and stock of spare parts:batteries, toilet paper, tuna, frozen peas, dog food.
Whatever you frequently have to run to buy would be great to keep stocked so you never run out.
Next time you don't have to make a special run to the store, congratulate yourself thoroughly! 2.
Money.
This takes a bit of discipline -- or self-trickery.
Don't allow yourself to write checks reducing your account below your comfort level for a safety margin.
Or, write out an amount to be a "cushion" each payday.
Deduct it like a payment, but it's purpose is to build that level of reserves in your account, and to make you forget that it's there so you won't be tempted to write the account down too low.
(Remember to account for this amount when you balance your checkbook, but just keep adding to it to build those reserves.
)An old fashioned savings account helps too!Pay yourself first every month.
3.
Time.
Thinking ahead is critical to allow for reserves of time.
If other people are involved, you may need to calculate time for their procrastination, lost boots, and so on.
If you drive high traffic routes, have seasonal road construction or icy roads, you need to allow extra drive time as well.
Especially the first time through, whether for a major project, a home repair task, or a complex drive, add 50 percent more time than you think it should take, to allow for stress free completion.
4.
Energy.
Building energy (consistently eating well, staying hydrated, exercising regularly), and getting enough sleep are two keys for having energy in reserve.
Caffeine and sports drinks only give a temporary boost and often an energy let down in a short time.
While it's not intuitively obvious, when your energy is flagging, taking time for a tennis game, a walk, a stretch routine, or a dance break to lively music could be just the thing to boost your vitality.
5.
Emotions.
Creating emotional resilience requires paying attention to your own needs.
Self-nurturing could include things like a bubble bath, a cup of hot chocolate or special tea, fresh flowers on the table, a massage, or a long chat with a friend.
Building emotional reserves could also mean a need for counseling or a support group, finding an outlet for creativity (anything from scrapbooking to writing your first novel), or deepening the practice of your faith or spiritual approach to life.
How can you better love, accept, forgive, support, and nurture yourself? Begin Where You Find the Greatest Need For each of the strategies above, taking small steps consistently will yield impressive results.
Begin where you find the greatest need and take one step now.
You're worth having reserves on hand, inwardly and outwardly, and your lowered stress levels will let you know you are on the right track.
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