Lets De-Stress Our Lives

Sleepless Nights   –  Lets De-Stress our Lives

Ugh went to bed at 11:00 pm and at 6:00 am its time to get up and do my workout and I’m still awake, haven’t slept a wink. I don’t know if you are like me but the minute my head hits the pillow my brain starts racing a hundred miles an hour with all of the things I need to get done the next day and in the next week.  I can’t seem to shut off the flow of information pulsing through my brain. Well, I’m here to tell you that stress kills and is the underlying cause of most insomnia and illness.  We as Americans, mother’s, wives, sisters, businesswomen take on too much. We are afraid to say NO. We are afraid that if we don’t please everyone we are not a good person. We feel the need to validate ourselves through our deeds and efforts.  I recommend you read a book called “What you think of me is None of my business” by Terry Cole-Whittaker. 

I know growing up as a child my day started with early scripture prayer, then  I practiced the piano for 30 minutes, completed at least one chore, ate breakfast, packed my lunch, and was off to school. After school it was practicing the violin, more chores, homework and any extracurricular activities, such as dance lessons, etiquette lessons, school activities, choir practice and you name it.   Mothers – We are overstimulating ourselves and our children and demanding more from them and us. We are putting too much stress on ourselves our children and our expectations are too high. We are killing ourselves to be perfect, to be the best, to be everything to everyone.  When all that really matters is being true to ourselves.

Nowadays with the technology world, everyone expects an immediate answer to their email and text. Everything is now, instant gratification and there is so much more demand to produce quicker and faster and to compete. By the time I get home from work my brain is fried and I’m exhausted and I know you are too. But it doesn’t stop there, when you get home from work your second job begins, taking care of the family. Wow, we really are Superwoman.

Then it’s pick up the children, soccer practice, lacrosse, football, dance, music lessons you name it.  Then run home prepare dinner (which I usually like to make the night before and put something in the crockpot so that we can have a healthy meal instead of fast food.  Then it’s helping with homework and school projects, then baths and off to bed, oh and by the way don’t forget to clean the house, do the laundry and be a fabulous spouse, take care of everyone when they are sick and never get sick yourself.  And don’t forget to walk the dog. Then there are religious obligations and being in the service of others in need. We women have to be superwomen and super organized. I applaud you all.

So when do we take time for ourselves? Being a mother is a selfless and thankless job. We, women, need to be supportive of each other,  form support groups where we can just share with each other and laugh and share ideas, love each other, be there with words of kindness and support, share ideas and suggestions about what helps us get through the day. Join a book club, or play in a card group or bunco group, take painting lessons, go to yoga class,  try crafting or scrapbooking, take up biking or hiking or golf, try to fit in at least 30 minutes of personal time for yourself each day, whether its exercise  or  relaxing bath with candles and soft music and therapeutic bath salts.  We must take time to rejuvenate our spirits and our souls.

 

I’ve traveled a lot throughout the world. Americans work longer and harder than any other countries. Other countries relax and have conversations during their meals, they don’t eat lunch at their desks and grab fast food. They take time to enjoy their food and digest it which is much healthier then gulping downloads of coffee or big gulps to keep us running through the day which actually  makes us more tired in the end because we get a big high and then the low and then we need to feed the machine again to keep going. they get 6 weeks off a year and that doesn’t include holidays.

I challenge you to De-stress, learn to say no and cut out things in your life and your daily activities that aren’t necessary. Take time for yourself. You will feel better, be healthier and enjoy life more and most of all you will be happier and find joy in your life.

Please share with me your ideas – what helps you de-stress, what are some great tips for being organized, how do you deal with and handle everything that is dropped into your laps?

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