In the fast-paced world that we live in today, it seems as though it's hard to find enough time to do everything that needs to be done. Days at work are long, but too often don't seem to be long enough? we bring home what we can't finish and end up creating highly stressful situations for those around us. Even worse, it seems like medical science is constantly finding new problems that are caused by overworking and the stress that results from it. If only there were some way to reduce the effects of this stress and make life more work-friendly (and vice versa)?
Luckily, there are ways to negate the harmful effects of working too much? balancing life and work in a way that makes everything more harmonious. It can take a little getting used to at first, especially if you're a "Type A" personality that is used to pushing and driving on to finish the project or complete the proposal.
Counteracting the Negative Effects of Stress
Of course, just because you work long hours every day or put in a lot of overtime doesn't mean that you're doomed to be done in before your time by stress. There are a lot of methods that can be used to counteract the harmful effects of work-related stress and increase both your quality of life and the free time that you have available. The key to living a long and fruitful life is to learn to balance your life and your work, so that what time you have available to yourself is spent in the most enjoyable ways possible. Below are several ways that you can either decrease the harm that stress causes or free up more time for yourself (which in itself can decrease stress in your life.)
? Pets ? Studies have shown that the simple act of petting a dog or cat can cause immediate and significant reductions in stress. Our animal friends have other stress-relieving benefits, as well? for instance, the sound of a cat's purr is an excellent stress reliever, as is the act of playing with a dog or watching fish swim in a tank. Research has also shown that pet owners tend to live five to ten years longer on average than those people who don't own pets.
? Schedule Family Time ? Setting aside a specific time to spend with your family is a great way to reduce stress and make the most of the free time that you have. Ideas such as planning a "Family Game Night" or taking a weekly picnic to the park are gaining in popularity in many areas, and have been shown to not only reduce stress but also produce children who are more social and less likely to misbehave in adulthood. If you're not married or don't have any children, you don't have to miss out? schedule time to spend with siblings or friends, just to enjoy each other's company.
? Read ? Set aside a little time each night to read. What you read doesn't really matter? it can be a tabloid, a magazine, or a novel. The important thing is that you're reading something because you want to do it instead of because you have to, and the act of reading for enjoyment tends to occupy your mind and release some of the pent-up frustrations and stresses of the day. As an added bonus, reading can increase your vocabulary, your reasoning skills, and your overall intelligence and outlook on life.
? Invest in a Filing Cabinet ? It may not seem like much, but being organized can actually be a great stress reliever. File away pay stubs, tax returns, business receipts, and bills so that they're easy to locate should you need them. Not only will this save you time should these records become needed, but the act of organizing can have a calming effect on the mind and reduce stress.
? Lifestyle Management ? Lifestyle management is a growing trend that can greatly increase the amount of free time that you have. Lifestyle management agencies can perform a number of services for you so that you don't have to, from running errands and paying bills to scheduling appointments and performing household tasks. Lifestyle management providers may perform different tasks than the ones listed, so be sure to find out what services an individual provider offers.
? Take a Vacation ? One of the best ways to counteract the harmful effects of working too much is to take time away from work. Even taking a single week's vacation once a year can increase your life expectancy, give you a more positive outlook, and generally make your quality of life much better than it was previously. Just make sure that you follow the cardinal rule of taking a vacation, whether you go on a trip or just stay at home: when you're away from work, leave work behind and enjoy yourself.
Call the Butler is an innovative new lifestyle management company operating in and around Central Scotland. Too much too do and not enough time to do it? Why not Call the Butler?
Call the Butler: lifestyle management
tidy up service Northbrook ..The pace of life seems to quicken every year. More... Read More
If you have never tried combining your breathing exercises with... Read More
Probably the least appreciated form of stress is college stress.... Read More
Life can offer us many challenges having to do with... Read More
Stress is defined as a response by your body to... Read More
In these times when companies are constantly down-sizing and right-sizing... Read More
Stress seems to have become a constant factor in today's... Read More
I came out of a nightmare 5-year period of anxiety... Read More
I had the unpleasant experience of being pulled over the... Read More
Tough leaders are usually seen as ogres. Their exacting demands... Read More
What is the greatest fear of man? Is it death?... Read More
In order to understand stress better, it is a good... Read More
Meditation, relaxation and visualisation are the standard recommendations for reducing... Read More
Among the hardest parts of living in the modern world... Read More
Everyone experiences stress at some point in their life. In... Read More
Of all the sources of stress in our lives, faulty... Read More
One of the best ways to combat stress and depression... Read More
In my experience, most of us spend a lot more... Read More
I once worked with a woman whose zest,joy and enthusiasm... Read More
Did you know that more than half of our adult... Read More
This heading may seem like a contradiction in terms. How... Read More
"Smash!" It was a sunny autumn Saturday. My cousins and... Read More
The number one most popular issue that users of a... Read More
What part of no don't you understand? - Bumper stickerThe... Read More
If you suffer from insomnia of any kind, the chances... Read More
reliable home cleaners Buffalo Grove ..1. Take a relaxing bath. Add music, candles and a... Read More
Most people find it easy to identify the sources of... Read More
Let's face it! The majority of our time is either... Read More
Several studies, including one of medical students around exam time,... Read More
1. The Law of StagnationThis is also known as first... Read More
If there was a way of relaxing quickly and easily... Read More
One of the hardest forms of stress to avoid is... Read More
Do you feel that you just don't have the time... Read More
Use these simple tips to minimize stress in your day... Read More
File this one under the category of "watch your language."The... Read More
I had the unpleasant experience of being pulled over the... Read More
Did you know that taking a short trip, such as... Read More
Many people recognise the warning signs that stress may be... Read More
I'm sure you have heard of IBS, irritable bowel syndrome,... Read More
Many people go through the motions during Christmas. If not... Read More
Feeling stressed? Who isn't!! In today's society, feeling "stressed out,"... Read More
The future is nothing but a fantasy or a daydream,... Read More
If you have recently lost health insurance coverage through your... Read More
At what age does the benefit of play cease? Child... Read More
Anyone who has ever worked knows that stress is part... Read More
Governements and businesses have regularly highlighted the costs of stress... Read More
Part 1: Recognize the importance of family stress managementJoe and... Read More
Every day we are faced with a situation where our... Read More
When it is all said and done, do you feel... Read More
Ask a hundred different people how to deal with stress... Read More
Stress Management |