Stress Management

I’m stressed…

Too much on my plate at the moment, nothing new there. We all have busy periods at work, and we get through them well enough, give or take a few sleepless nights, wrecked diets, and an occasional temper tantrum. But, should we wish to manage our stress levels better, there’s no shortage of helpful advice, in the form of numerous magazine articles, self-help books and blog posts. And they all more or less sum up stress management as eating and sleeping well + physical exercise + mindfulness. And doing less and doing better, of course, or something to that effect. So let’s stop wasting time and get down to the business of managing stress, i.e. me telling you how I plan to get through the busy, stressful period without losing my mind. It’s all about being more efficient, in less time, of course, and trying to avoid temper tantrums in spite of numerous sleepless nights.

OK, first things first: physical well-being.

So, eating well, sure: there’s nothing like a healthy, home-cooked meal to boost the immune system. Only the purest of ingredients, no processed food or sugary treats. Except chocolate, of course. Chocolate is nature’s own Prozac, after all. And it contains protein. And flavonoids, or something… Or maybe that was red wine? Well, I guess I should have both, just to be sure, but only after I’m done with the marking, otherwise it gets a bit too Bad Teacher…

OK, what next? Oh yes, I need to relax… People always rave about meditation, maybe I should try that? How does it work, exactly? You just sort of stare straight ahead and repeat a mantra? I can do that. OK, here goes…

Oh boy, that bookshelf needs dusting!

I should just get the… OK, focus! Right, I’m back: let’s do this. Yes, meditating now…

What was that? Hey, someone just sent me a cute cat video! Aww, I wish I could get a kitten… Oh no, back to business, no distractions… OK, meditating… How hard can it be, just 10 minutes, for heaven’s sake!?

Wait, I need a mantra, right? What the hell’s a mantra, anyway? Is it supposed to mean something?

No! No, thinking! Just go with the flow, relax… the mantra will come to you if you just let it… now, empty your mind, focus… focus… chocolate…. chocolate…

I think I still have a chocolate bar in the fridge… WTF??? Who ate my chocolate??!! Oh, wait, I think I had it for breakfast…

Right, no meditation, then… at least till I have an off switch installed in my brain…

Physical activity! That’s what I need! Nothing to quiet the mind like a good old workout. Now, let’s see… the gym takes too long… But I really should go, I haven’t been there for at least a week.  But I’d need to get dressed and walk there, and that would take at least 5 minutes… And I have a million things to do at home, and it’s cold, and… Is it snowing?!?

YOGA! I can do some yoga! No need to go out, and it’s relaxing, right? And fast, because I can just do it while waiting for the pizza to be delivered. That’s what I call multitasking! Now, where did I put that Yoga DVD? Oh shit, it’s 45 minutes! No problem, I can do it in 20, if I fast-forward all the boring bits. Or in 10, who needs all those repetitions, anyway? Good! Why waste time when you can just be more efficient, right?

Oh blimey! Downton Abbey‘s on in 10 minutes! AND WE’RE OUT OF CHOCOLATE!! Quick, if I run I can still make it to the shop and back… Sorry, no time to chat, catch you later!

Tiina

FOLLOW:

Linking up with: 

Not Dead Yet Style, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, Garay Treasures, High Latitude Style, Sydney Fashion Hunter, The Pleated Poppy, Style Elixir, Get Your Pretty On, Happiness at Mid-Life, A Labour of Life, Doused in Pink, Curly Crafty Mom, Fashion Should Be Fun, Rachel the Hat, Sincerely Jenna Marie, More Pieces of Me, Color and Grace, Not Dressed As Lamb