| What one thing could help you reduce stress | | | | payment, but it's purpose is to build that level of |
| related to your home, finances, time, energy and | | | | reserves in your account, and to make you |
| emotions? | | | | forget that it's there so you won't be tempted to |
| It's something we don't often think about across | | | | write the account down too low. (Remember to |
| multiple categories like this. | | | | account for this amount when you balance your |
| Good stress management is based on having | | | | checkbook, but just keep adding to it to build |
| resilience. Resilience means having reserves, | | | | those reserves.) An old fashioned savings account |
| hidden stores to draw upon in time of need. It | | | | helps too! Pay yourself first every month. |
| means you're not always scrambling just to stay | | | | 3. Time. Thinking ahead is critical to allow for |
| even with the daily demands of your life. | | | | reserves of time. If other people are involved, |
| Think about it. | | | | you may need to calculate time for their |
| How much of your | | | | procrastination, lost boots, and so on. If you drive |
| This-Is-Driving-Me-Crazy-stress is related to | | | | high traffic routes, have seasonal road |
| running to the store at the last minute, almost | | | | construction or icy roads, you need to allow extra |
| every day? Or to bouncing checks because you | | | | drive time as well. Especially the first time through, |
| cut it too close at the end of your pay period? Or | | | | whether for a major project, a home repair task, |
| time slipping away as you chauffeur the kids to | | | | or a complex drive, add 50 percent more time |
| their different activities? How much of your | | | | than you think it should take, to allow for stress |
| stress is about your energy leaking out as the | | | | free completion. |
| day winds down but you still have umpteen things | | | | 4. Energy. Building energy (consistently eating well, |
| to accomplish? How about when you're snapping | | | | staying hydrated, exercising regularly), and getting |
| at everyone because you have lost your | | | | enough sleep are two keys for having energy in |
| emotional resilience? | | | | reserve. Caffeine and sports drinks only give a |
| Each one of these episodes may seem like a | | | | temporary boost and often an energy let down in |
| relatively small, annoying event. But when several | | | | a short time. While it's not intuitively obvious, |
| hit at once, you can be left reeling with stress. In | | | | when your energy is flagging, taking time for a |
| each case, more reserves and resilience could | | | | tennis game, a walk, a stretch routine, or a dance |
| mean much less stress! | | | | break to lively music could be just the thing to |
| | | | boost your vitality. |
| How to Create Reserves | | | | 5. Emotions. Creating emotional resilience requires |
| With just a little attention ahead of time you can | | | | paying attention to your own needs. Self-nurturing |
| create reserves to cushion the shock of stress | | | | could include things like a bubble bath, a cup of hot |
| and allow you to respond with more healthy | | | | chocolate or special tea, fresh flowers on the |
| resilience. Here are some tips to get you started. | | | | table, a massage, or a long chat with a friend. |
| Be creative and adapt these ideas to your specific | | | | Building emotional reserves could also mean a |
| needs. | | | | need for counseling or a support group, finding an |
| 1. Supplies. When items that you use frequently | | | | outlet for creativity (anything from scrapbooking |
| are on special, buy one or two extra to have in | | | | to writing your first novel), or deepening the |
| reserve. Gradually build up your pantry and stock | | | | practice of your faith or spiritual approach to life. |
| of spare parts: batteries, toilet paper, tuna, frozen | | | | How can you better love, accept, forgive, |
| peas, dog food. Whatever you frequently have to | | | | support, and nurture yourself? |
| run to buy would be great to keep stocked so | | | | Begin Where You Find the Greatest Need |
| you never run out. Next time you don't have to | | | | For each of the strategies above, taking small |
| make a special run to the store, congratulate | | | | steps consistently will yield impressive results. |
| yourself thoroughly! | | | | Begin where you find the greatest need and take |
| 2. Money. This takes a bit of discipline -- or | | | | one step now. You're worth having reserves on |
| self-trickery. Don't allow yourself to write checks | | | | hand, inwardly and outwardly, and your lowered |
| reducing your account below your comfort level | | | | stress levels will let you know you are on the |
| for a safety margin. Or, write out an amount to | | | | right track. |
| be a "cushion" each payday. Deduct it like a | | | | |