Stress Free Time

It’s officially fall and you could say the start of the “holiday season.” The time of year that many obligations will start taking over your life and calendar. Those of you with kids may feel this all year round regardless! Some of us squeal in delight with all the upcoming festivities while others cringe at the thought of planning every weekend, buying sweets, presents, and running here or there to complete a never-ending list of errands.

Holidays can seem to infringe on your daily or weekly routines and any chance of time to yourself. Thinking about the next couple of months and whittling it down into how much time you do have (or don't) may make you start to prioritize your obligations. Sometimes it is just plain overwhelming enough to not do anything at all. Avoidance can be the easy path.

October 1st: 30 Days until Halloween. 7 Saturdays until Thanksgiving. 12 Saturdays until Christmas. 13 Saturdays until 2019.

Stress can creep in when you start debating who you choose to spend your time with and who or what takes the back seat. The time you normally have set aside for you may end up being sacrificed in order to please others. (maybe this sentence could a tag line/eye-catcher/ different color?) 
Stressing over time, or lack of, can impact sleep, cognitive functioning and start to take a physical toll on your body. It may be even worse when sleep is sacrificed for work, to finish a project, wrap presents, run errands, or fulfilling your friend or family obligations. This is where the guilt might start creeping in for some of us... How dare you enjoy your favorite beverage while watching Netflix after work instead of sewing your child's Halloween costume?!
 
The problem with time is it does not stop for you to "catch up." Your list may continue to grow and it feels impossible to check it all off before the deadline. Don't forget work, laundry, and dishes… always with the dishes! If reading this has made you start sweating or write a to-do-list, stay with it.
 
Let’s spin the outlook: stress can be a great motivator. There are a lot of us who procrastinate just to feel that pressure or stress to get a job done well.
 
How to use time to your advantage:

1. Pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard).  Whether it's the "ingredients" or the "whole recipe", write it out and you are less likely to forget something and more able to make informed decisions.
2. Prioritize your life.  It's hard to enjoy a night out with friends when you don't have any clean clothes to wear. Keep on top of the mundane and you'll thank yourself later.
3. Be realistic with your time.  Breakfast with your bestie. Drive 30 miles to watch a football game. Celebrate the win before dinner 45 miles in another direction. See where this is going? If you're up for the challenge then try some meditation or relaxation while traveling with an audiobook, podcast, or soothing music.
4. Check in with your body.  Do you feel rushed? Are you easily forgetful lately? Take a breath. Slow down. Listen to what your body needs. Maybe an extra cup of coffee is fine today, but a nap tomorrow could be better.

​What works for you to keep stress away? How can you turn a potential stressful couple months into an exciting and relaxing time? Every single person has the SAME amount of time in a day, how will you spend yours?

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