It sounds easy, doesn't it? It can be. Look at your list and
identify a couple of the things that cause you the most stress and that you are
not the only one who can handle it. Are there things you can get rid of
entirely? If not, look for items you can at least partially delegate. Be
creative. Can you buy pre-made cupcakes for your turn to bring preschool treats?
If your mornings are too hectic, maybe you can hire a college student to help
get your kids ready for school. If you ordered lunch in, would it be easier to
get out of the office on time every night? If you cannot get rid of things that
are already on your plate, think about how to say no to future commitments.
Saying "no" when someone asks for your time can make a big difference
in how you spend your time.
4. Eliminate things that make stress worse and fend off
stress with good health
Skipping meals or not getting enough sleep may not actually
be the cause of your stress, but they can certainly exacerbate it. Make sure
you take care of yourself, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Eat healthy
nutritious foods and avoid junk food. While junk food may give you a short-term
energy boost, over the long-term whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and
lean proteins will keep you ready for action. Often, how you deal with stress
is more important than the stress itself actually is.
5. Exercise
Another great way to alleviate the negative impact of stress
in your life is to get physical exercise. You do not have to run marathons or
become a body builder to see health benefits; taking walks, swimming, doing
toning exercises, biking and other performing moderate activities regularly can
dramatically improve your physical condition, Not only does exercise improve
your physical health, it improves energy levels and contributes to a sense of
emotional well-being.
6. Find emotional support
While you may not be able to remove all the stress from your
life, you can often lighten the load just by talking about it. Whether you
confide in trusted friends, family members or a mental health professional,
discussing the difficulties you encounter is very helpful for many women. Share
not only the problems you face, but the feelings they cause you to have.