Think & Create

by Colette Carlson

How many of you want to grow old faster? What, no takers?! Yet, we’re accelerating our aging when we regularly experience stress or anxiety. It’s no surprise that research indicates working moms are the most highly stressed group with changes in their chromosomes equal to having aged 9 to 17 years. If that doesn’t stress you out enough to change your behavior, I don’t know what will! Seriously, if you’re too tired or too wired, take note of the first 4 of 7 strategies below to help you stress less.

1. Give up the Daily Guilt to Feel Balanced
Let’s get some perspective. Too many of us waste time feeling guilty that our life is out of balance, but you’ll never feel balanced as long as you have goals and dreams. Why? There’s always way too much to do, to learn, to accomplish. If you’re like me, and have passion for your work, it’s easy to lose yourself in your tasks and projects since they bring you joy. At a certain point, however, I have to consciously ditch work to spend time with friends and family (minus my Blackberry). Quit thinking you need to “touch” everything each day, and look at how “balanced” your life is over a period of time, not a specific day of the week. Take this one step farther and realize that it’s about being balanced over your lifetime. When my kids were young there was no way I could invest as much time as I do now in either my business or the gym. It all evens out.

2. Good is Good Enough
Any other recovering perfectionists out there? Stop wasting time creating the “perfect” proposal, letter or marketing brochure, seeking the ideal gift for your nephew, the best comforter for your bedroom, or the supremely clean house. Stop at 80% and move on to the next task. Hours of your life are wasted and nobody notices the difference but you. Get over yourself and take a step closer to acceptance.

3. If You Don’t Snooze, You Lose
Yea, I can hear you stress puppies already, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” but the point is you will be dead sooner as a result. Exhaustion is not a badge of honor. Without sleep you are worthless to yourself and those around you. Staying up even one hour later to finish a task or watch Grey’s Anatomy costs you more than your health. Try irritability, trouble retaining information, minor illness, poor judgment, increased mistakes and even weight gain. A Harvard Business Review study of 975 global managers determined that 45% of high-earning managers are too pooped to even speak to their spouse or partner after work. This is your wake up call to get your zzzzz’s.

4. Scale Back on Drive Time
When choosing a new doctor, dentist, hair dresser, etc. find one as close to home as possible. Bonus: with ever fluctuating gas prices, think of the savings! The same holds true when finding activities for any family members – stay local. Sure the ideal preschool, soccer club or SAT study group may be a longer commute, but add up all the drive time in advance and ask if it’s really worth it before committing to rush hour jams and early alarm clocks. Still determined? Set up carpools and recognize you don’t have to be at every activity. Sure it’s fun to participate, but you’re child will not turn in to a serial killer if you miss a few games or performances.
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kennethg Life, self improvement less stress, stress relief