Dear Stress, Let's Break Up!

Liz Fernandez

HOW do they do it? Sometimes, that is what I think when I see my co-workers kicking butt at their job, being parents of the year, making it to happy hour on occasion, working out regularly and looking good while doing it ALL. Let’s be honest—I don’t have kids (and don’t work out enough to count it) and yet the life struggle is still real. I applaud those co-workers because I’m exhausted just thinking about their schedules.

So, how can we all stay sane in a world that is exhausting without going back to the days before the internet (work was 8 to 5—what?!?) and before kids were expected to be in a minimum of 5 scheduled activities a week (make up games outside with the neighbors and just be home by dark—what??!)?

1. Make Time for Dinner (at least 2x/wk)

Doesn’t matter if it is just you, or you and 5 kids; make time to sit-down for dinner and turn off all the phones and other connections to the outside world. If everyone does this, you might just learn more about their day or about that story they heard on NPR or what has been bothering them all day. And if it is just you and your dog (or cat)? Take the time to reflect on your day and all the thoughts swirling in your head. Take a deep breath and relax.

2. The Skimm Life

Everything you need to know about what’s going on in the world sent to you in a daily email so you can make small talk and know what your co-workers are talking about. Caution: Includes sarcastic humor so you may laugh at 6am when you read it sitting in bed on your phone as you struggle to start your day. Click here to get in on it!

3. Talk to Other Women

Make sure you have other women to talk to, whether it is co-workers, your best friend or even your mom. It helps to know you aren’t the only one with problems and anxieties. We all have daily struggles, we just like to put on the persona that everything is awesome so we can keep up with the Joneses.

4. Stay Organized

With your life: Have a planner to stay organized (Outlook or a physical planner—whatever works best for YOU). Say no if you are getting overbooked. Thing about use Microsoft’s OneNote, so you can take notes on your phone, on your computer, on your tablet…and then share the ones you want to share. Realize that some things can be done at 75% and some need to be at 100%, but not all need to be at 110%.

With your things: Invest in some sort of system. Where do you file important documents? Do you have a specific place you set your mail everyday so it isn’t all over the counter? If you can contain the mess and come home to a semi-organized house (it will never be perfect), you will feel calmer. I promise.

4. Pump up that Jam!

Put those headphones on and crank up that Pandora. Sometimes all you need is a little Taylor Swift in  your life or to Let it Go to help you get out of a funk and de-stress. Or, try some of these de-stress tips from lifehack.

5. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Ask yourself, “Will this matter in 5 yrs, and will I even remember it?” Easier said than done, right? Let’s all commit to focusing on this. After all, life is never going to be perfect.

 XOXO,

A Twist-ed Young Professional