Managing Stress

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Things have been overwhelming lately. Balancing work and family life has been hectic and the amount of negativity we are bombarded with at the moment seems at an all-time record. It has been a huge mental challenge to keep positive and not be dragged under the wave of fear . . . a challenge I’ve failed many times in recent weeks.

A few days ago, a friend suggested we have a “mental health day”. I was resistant at first because of the amount of work I had piled up. I really didn’t need another distraction.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In reality, I wasn’t being very productive anyway. Being stressed, I was easily triggered and was working reactively and not effectively. The amount of time I was spending at my desk was not reflected in my work output. I was short tempered and thinking the worst of every situation. I had no energy to get the work done and motivation was low.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]So my friend and I headed to the beach; a beach that is only 20 minutes from home, but I don’t take the time out to visit nearly enough. We had a naughty cocktail (or two) with breakfast, we chatted about mundane things, we gossiped and then we put our feet in the warm sand and the cool water. I delighted in the view and breathed in the salty air.

I felt a sense of peace roll through me . . . a calmness that I hadn’t felt for ages. I stopped thinking about work, politics, war, disasters and all the other things that had been overwhelming me.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I felt content to JUST BE.

Though it’s still a bit chilly, I went for a swim. The waves and cool water were invigorating and gave me energy.

I soaked up the sun and felt my body relax.

It was the best day I’ve had in a very long time.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When I returned to work, I felt like I’ve had a week’s holidays. I have more clarity, I can make better decisions, I get more work done and I am a nicer person to be around. I’m making better decisions around maintaining my energy and emotional state – walking the dog more, taking time out to relax, eating healthier, avoiding negativity in the social media, turning off that damn TV and checking my attitude regularly.

I choose to be grateful . . . my reality is awesome, so why am I wasting it on negative people and situations that are not my reality?

I’ve made a promise to myself to take a regular ‘time out’.

How are you looking after yourself?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][templatera id=”3607″][/vc_column][/vc_row]