While I am no expert at managing stress, I have discovered a few useful tips during the past (extremely busy) month. Keep reading if you’re also experiencing the business and stress of this time of year.
Utilize Your Planner
Seems obvious, but on super busy days, it’s easy to forget to even open or reference your planner. Be sure to have a set time (I prefer morning) to at least jot down your top priorities for the day. This will help keep it fresh in your mind and also remind you of what tasks can be delegated or moved to another day. Using my planner helps me feel like I am gaining a little bit of control over my day, as far as what I am spending my time on. The feeling of gaining control helps ease my stress and gives me a game plan for the day.
Taking Intentional Breaks
I like to take a break after I have completed a large task, that way I feel accomplished and don’t feel guilty for stopping to take a break. This doesn’t have to be long, 10–15 minutes works perfectly for me. I usually listen to music, continue a podcast, watch a youtube video, or even just sit quietly. I like having the short time and space to get out of my own head for a few minutes and just be present. It is almost like hitting the reset button.
I do find I have to be extremely intentional about this though, because the 15 minutes can pass while I am just scrolling through instagram or checking emails, and then my break passes without feeling like I have reset.
I try to make a mental note to myself that I am taking a break and that the goal is to relax or reset. That way, I am setting an intention and signaling to my brain that I am switching gears. It probably sounds cheesy but it works like a charm.
Movement
On super busy days, when I’m stressed and just don’t feel like working out, I set a timer for 20–30 minutes and walk. I find I can always make myself walk, even if I can’t do a more intense workout. This way I am still making an intentional effort to get exercise without overextending myself. Of course if you are too physically exhausted to workout, then listen to your body and rest. But I find some movement is so beneficial to my mental state.
Take a Breath
During a super stressful day at work, I was texting my boyfriend about how overwhelmed I was. He called me, spoke to me calmly, and told me to just breath through it. I have since been telling myself this during busy days, and it is so helpful (thanks, babe). Highly recommend this for those moments where everything feels heavy and overwhelming.
Change of Scenery
I recently had a task for work that required me to get out of the office and drive about 30 minutes one-way to make a delivery. I am usually chained to my desk and / or the phones all day and buried in my work. Getting out of the office, feeling the sunshine, and experiencing different surroundings helped me remove myself mentally from the stress I was feeling. It helped me gain a new perspective and outlook for the rest of the day.
Give Grace to Receive Grace
Just remember that we are all human, we all screw up from time-to-time. We all have limited daily capacities (as much as we would like to think we don’t). We can only do so much in a single day. So if you want others around you to give you grace during these stressful times, do the same for them. We are all dealing with things and we all react differently in every situation. Just try to be understanding with others, it really does go a long way.
Stay In Touch!
Enjoyed this post or would like to discuss further?
Come chat with me on instagram! @prints.by.kaitlyn
Visit my Etsy shop for 2024 printable planner inserts, decorative dashboards, journaling cards, and more. PrintsbyKaitlyn
Leave a Reply