4 A's of Stress Relief

I discovered these 4 A's of Stress Relief by the Mayo Clinic from Pinterest, the source of all knowledge. These tips are so easy and encompass pretty much every area of your life! I'm learning that the journey to a stress-free lifestyle will have to address your whole life and your habits, but your new habits will reap so much more peace. The first key to stress management is changing the level of your stressors, and the second key is increasing your ability to cope with stressors. 

Avoid

Avoid needless stress. "Plan ahead, rearrange your surroundings and reap the benefits of a lighter load." Take control of the things you have control over, even if it means leaving early to beat the morning traffic. Avoid people who bother you. Learn to say no to unnecessary and unwanted responsibility. Label your to-do list with A's, B's, and C's according to importance. If you're having a busy day, its okay to not finish the C's! However, some problems can't be overlooked and need to be dealt with so create a happy medium.

Alter

"One of the best things you can do during times of stress is to take inventory, then attempt to change your situation for the better." Respectfully ask others to change their behavior and do the same. Communicate your feelings. Manage your time better by organizing your day so like tasks will be completed in the same time frame. State time limits in advance before meetings with colleagues or friends. 

Accept

Sometimes there is no choice but to accept the way things are. Talk with people about what you're feeling. Like my pastor always says, it's okay to not be okay but it isn't okay to stay that way. Forgive freely and move on. Practice talking to yourself positively. Learn from your mistakes. 

Adapt

Adjust your standards, realizing that perfection is often unattainable. Redefine success and perfection so you have less guilt to deal with. Practice stopping negative thoughts as they enter your mind. Refuse to see situations as negative situations. Look at the issue from a new vantage point, seeing the positive aspects of it. Adopt a mantra such as "I can do this" and repeat it in stressful situations. Create a column with all of the things you enjoy in life to look at when you feel stressed or hopeless. Look at the big picture- will this stressor now matter in five years?

Which of the A's do you use most in your life? Which do you need to work on?

14 Habits I'm Trying to Keep

This is a quick list of ways to improve your time management. I am especially prone to procrastination because I am easily distracted (anyone else?) and it only results in more stress in my life as deadlines and due dates get nearer. When I manage my time wisely, I am able to devote more of my time to activities I enjoy- like slowly drinking a cup of coffee in the morning, reading my Bible, or adventuring with my friends- rather than always rushing to finish the next task or homework assignment. A professor gave me a worksheet with this list on it last semester and I have it posted in my dorm room; it's a good reminder to plan first so I can enjoy my time later!

1. Relax and "do nothing" for short periods each day.
2. Complete daily tasks by priority.
3. Do multiple errands at one time instead of one errand at one time.
4. Take action to further your goals instead of regretting past failures.
5. Schedule a regular 15 minute planning period to plan the next day.
6. Carry along small tasks you can complete when waiting in line or at the doctor's office.
7. Enjoy whatever you're doing, whether it's work or relaxation.
8. Set reasonable deadlines for yourself and those around you.
9. Determine whether a task is worth your time before beginning it.
10. Realize that some of your time will be spent on things beyond your control.
11. Delegate some of your responsibilities if they overwhelm you.
12. Concentrate on activities that work toward your future benefit instead of wasting time feeling guilty about what you can't do.
13. Remain confident in your judgement of priorities and refer to your prioritized plan when you face difficulty.
14. Complete your daily plan in consecutive order without skipping over difficult tasks.

What are your strategies for time management? Share them below in the comments! 

The Work Plan

Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure. -Confucius

Preparation for the day is my biggest success tool to reducing stress in my life. I have found that when I write down my obligations, tasks, and goals for the day, I'm more motivated to complete them. (Do you feel a sense of satisfaction when you cross things off your list too? Do you write things you've already completed on your list just so you can cross them off?? Guilty.) I have two methods for you to keep yourself sane this semester! 

1. Keep a Planner

I keep a monthly/weekly planner that I write EVERYTHING in. Every meeting, every campus event, every birthday, every homework assignment, little reminders to myself...everything. This is where I plan my weeks and my month overall. Its my way of making sure I know when I have time to schedule things and it allows me to have peace about the upcoming week. I struggle with procrastination on homework (who doesn't) but this planner is my lifesaver. I plan my homework assignments 2 weeks in advance. I can flip to a certain day and see what homework I need to finish that night and whether or not I have free time. If I only have one chapter to read, sure I can go to Qdoba with you. 

Sidenote: I tried an electronic calendar, I really did. It's just not the same as physically writing things down and crossing them off when you finish. Maybe I'll try it again next semester. For now, give me paper and a pen. 

I took this picture so you could see a glimpse of my
February schedule. Write everything down! 

2. Write a Work Plan

In addition to planning my month and upcoming weeks, I like to take a few minutes in the morning to make a Work Plan for the day. Ann Voskamp at aholyexperience.com (one of my very favorite blogs) created a document that has revolutionized the way I plan my days. There is a place for you to write your Dire tasks that need the priority, Definite tasks to build habits- logging water and food intake, scripture memorization, working out, and your relationship focus, Daily tasks that you do every day without fail, Domestic tasks around the house (or dorm!), Doxology to remember to give thanks in every circumstance, a To-Do list for us girls who can't get enough of those, and the Day's Draft to plan out when you'll complete all this.If you don't finish all your tasks for the day, just move them over to the Dire section of tomorrow's Work Plan!

There is so much peace when we prepare and plan what we can. Of course, we cannot completely control what happens to us but when we recognize that there is grace in thankfulness and preparation, there is joy to be found! I'm choosing today to be prepared, thankful, intentional, and joyful. No more stress or sluggishness or confusion. Check out Ann's Work Plan and start the journey to live stress-free! 

What about you? What are your strategies for planning your days? Or if you don't do it the old-fashioned way, please help me understand this obsession with electronic calendars.