Stress!
by Marilyn Moyo RN
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"We forget that there is the 'us' or the
'me' person that needs to be taken cared
of, too"
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Places to go, people to see, things to do. That is our
everyday motto. We have set-up ourselves trying
accomplish everything in our "to do" lists so that we
can relax after we have checked them out , but as you
probably have found out, it never happens. Finding
time for yourself is difficult if not impossible. But
the energizer bunny have to change batteries too
sometime. "Super-human" as we try to perceive
ourselves, we juggle our time between our jobs,
family, friends and other commitments. We forget that
there is the "us" or the "me"
person that needs to be taken care of, too.
So, although trying to beat this deadline and help
relieve some of Vicky's stress, I decided to take some
"time off' first so I can concentrate better. Not that
it will help because I really have no idea what to
write and where to start. But I found this article in
a magazine that quite sums it up.
- Organize:
It is like spring cleaning or whatever "weather "
cleaning that you may want to call it. Make a room in
your closet, donate the clothes that you think you
don't need anymore but others might. I know that you
probably want to hold on to it because by some miracle
you are thinking that it might fit you again, don't.
So, sort the things that you still need, things that
needs to be stored, things that needs to be given away
and the things that you need to throw away. But make
note that you are only doing one room that you think
is most essential.
- Make a list:
You are calm, satisfied with what you have
accomplished. The room is tidy but it doesn't end
there, now you have to make a list of what needs to be
taken care of.
- Set Priorities:
Divide the list into 2
categories:
- things that require immediate attention (ex. family
members that needs to be fed, they behave better when
they are not hungry, bills that needs to be paid)
- and the rest of the list that can be tackled after
the first category has been taken care of
- Accept help:
Martyrdom needs to be thrown out of the
window. Delegate responsibilities among family members
( ex. setting up the table, loading the dishwasher or
the laundry) and a little incentive to go with that
won't hurt, it will probably speed things up a bit. If
there are no family members on hand, enlist a friend.
- If you can afford it, call in a professional:
Let somebody mow your lawn, or a top-to- bottom
housecleaning it might help you accomplish some of
your to-do list while someone is cleaning your house.
- Repeat to yourself "it's not forever":
Flexibility. You will cope better and feel less
guilty about the list that you have not accomplished.
- Treat yourself:
Finally, treat yourself. Take a vacation somewhere
warm and peaceful. But since you are still making
yourself busy, at least, forget cooking tonight and
eat out. You don't have to explain to anyone why.
Bibliography: N.R. Rand, Redbook November, ~998, p.98
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