Day 10: Identify your largest source of stress and analyze- what can you do to reduce it?
The Blurb: This is what I do when I’m feeling stressed. I make a list of the things that are causing me to worry and figure out the MOST stressful thing.
You need to be honest with yourself and identify if it’s something you can actually change. There’s no sense in worrying about something you don’t have any control over. Here are a few things to help you work through what’s stressing you out:
- If the stress is from a relationship, are you trying to save something that has turned toxic?
- Can you change the timetable?
- Can it be delegated?
- Are you stressed because things is your life are out of balance?
- Are there steps you can take that will put you on the path to accomplishing it? A little preparation can go a long way to mitigate stress. Even making a list of the action items can help.
- Think of the worst possible outcome and figure out how to handle it. If you have a way to deal with the worst case scenario, your stress will drop because you’ll feel more prepared.
- Are you putting more emphasis on it than the situation warrants? My wise grandpa aways says to ask yourself: “Will it matter in 500 years?” When the answer is usually NO, it will help you realize that everything will be ok.
- Do you feel stressed because you haven’t allotted enough Me Time?
- Communicate with the people involved. Sometimes there’s a miscommunication and you may be worrying about something unnecessarily.
- If there’s a way to make a stressful task more fun, try that! For example, if I have a huge list of errands, I make a coffee run on the way, and then break up the errands with one fun detour in the middle. That’s a trite example, but you get the idea.
- Is it a question of having enough time? Can you rearrange your priorities?
- Is it something you’ve been putting off? Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and DO IT.
Suggestions: Another tip my sister taught me years ago is to FIX THE LITTLE THINGS. You’ll be shocked at how much better fixing a little detail can make you feel. It’s eliminating the little drip, drip, drip eroding everything at the back of your mind. If there’s a small thing that’s driving you crazy every day, just take a few minutes to fix it. You may not normally give it attention, but if it lessens your overall stress in the day without much effort, get it done.
For example, my dog barks as if masked murderers are infiltrating our house whenever someone knocks at the door. This was driving everyone in our house crazy because it instantly makes the stress level skyrocket. His bark collar battery had died and I hadn’t been able to find a replacement. A little thing that was annoying several times a day. Finally I looked it up the battery info online and ordered it on amazon. Once I fixed the problem I couldn’t figure out why it took me so long in the first place.
Keeping It Real:
Photo of the Day: (In direct violation of the cutting sugar day) Inspired by the great Elizabeth Taylor:
“Pour yourself a drink. Put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.”
(Obviously, I don’t recommend having wine as an ongoing way to handle stress. That’s my disclaimer. The fabulous wine I’m enjoying tonight was from my Napa Trip!)
Hope you are all feeling the love after making it through 1/3 of the project! I designed the project especially to have you feeling your best leading up to Valentines Day. There’s one focus item per day until then. It’s not to late to join in! The you can find the PREVIOUS POSTS HERE and see below for the diagram outlining each day’s focus.
You survived to the weekend! Make sure to get in a little time for yourself! I promise you’ll feel better for it!
Lots of love,
Brooke