Prioritize your tasks. Make a list to help you become organized. The list can be daily or weekly tasks and can be checked off as completed. A sample list may include remove all rugs for safety, medication management, nutritious food planning, clean drawers and closets. Don’t forget to include a stress reducer or a spirituality activity may be important to you. Click here for WikiHow’s instructions on How to Prioritize.
Ask for help. Most of us have trouble asking for help. No one wants to be a bother but, you may find that family and friends are often willing to help. It is easier for them if you can be specific on what task they can do to help. For example, go to the post office, water the plants or pick up the children. If you ask for help, you can avoid stress and burnout. Click here for How to Ask Others for Help.
Enjoy a hobby. Although time may be limited, a hobby can be enjoyed a few minutes a day or longer. Explore things you like and it could be as simple as a creating a scrapbook, making crafts, starting a collection or playing solitaire. Pets can be very enjoyable with a caution for time needed for a dog, but fish are much easier. Listening to music and dancing are also great hobbies. Click here for ways to discover a hobby.
Squeeze a stress ball. When you squeeze a stress ball, you are working your muscles and relieving stress instantly. They are easy to find and a good alternative to yelling or saying something you may regret later. Each time you squeeze and release, you relieve a little more of the tension from all the muscles in your body. Squeezing a stress ball can help take your mind off of stressful events. Click here for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention: information on coping with stress.
Learn to say no. It can feel awkward to say no and we may just want to be nice. Practice different polite ways to say no such as “I can’t this time” or “I have too much to do right now”. Saying yes can be more stressful and can impact your health and your life. It is okay to be honest and say no. Click here for Psychology Today article on When, Why and How to Say No.
If you have a life threatening situation, call 9-1-1 immediately or go to the nearest Hospital Emergency Department. This can save your life.
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