Stress Management

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

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14 Comments

  1. fashionandfoodandotherstuff
    26 November 2015 / 7:02 am

    Haha lovely post, so reconizable! Count to ten and breath!😜www.fashionandfoodandotherstuff.com

    • Tiina L
      28 November 2015 / 5:14 am

      I will try… It's almost December, it will slow down soon.

  2. No Fear of Fashion
    26 November 2015 / 7:06 pm

    hahaha… yep, that's life in a nutshell. Very funny.Greetje

    • Tiina L
      28 November 2015 / 5:14 am

      Indeed.

  3. Suzanne Carillo
    26 November 2015 / 11:57 pm

    Hahahahahahah! This was hilarious! I always have a family sized stock of dark chocolate on hand…in case of emergencies, or just any regular day really. bisousSuzanne

    • Tiina L
      28 November 2015 / 5:29 am

      How do you manage that, keeping the chocolate??!? I mean, it's a universal fact that chocolate starts going bad the minute you get it home, if not earlier, maybe even the moment you buy it… It certainly won't last long in my kitchen cupboards. Wait, is it because I eat it the moment I see it? Hello, my name is Tiina and I'm a chocoholic…

  4. Patti
    27 November 2015 / 1:13 pm

    So funny – you're describing my meditation to a T! xo-Pattihttp://notdeadyetstyle.com

    • Tiina L
      28 November 2015 / 5:24 am

      šŸ˜‰

    • Tiina L
      28 November 2015 / 5:24 am

      Thanks!

  5. Jazzy Jack
    28 November 2015 / 11:46 am

    Hee!Hope you had a good workout running for the chocolate, and then a nice meditative TV watch while eating your healthy chocolate? Hope the stress slows down soon. Nothing like marking to empty the brain! xo Jazzy Jack

    • Tiina L
      29 November 2015 / 2:04 pm

      Ha ha! Well, my brain is empty, that's for sure…

  6. wwluvs2sew
    18 December 2015 / 5:16 pm

    Red tail lights at the end of the driveway (his), my easy chair, a cup of coffee with real cream & reading your post on stress…I'll save the chocolate and Pinot for later. Thanks! You made my morning!

    • Tiina L
      19 December 2015 / 8:48 am

      šŸ˜‰

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