The festive period is meant to be a time for getting together, enjoying each other’s company, exchanging presents and having a good time. Unfortunately, this time of year can also be the most stressful for all manner of reasons. So, I would like to introduce you to my daily mantra “10 Commandments to Reduce Stress”.
This list was given to me by an ex-colleague when I used to work for an Older Person’s Mental Health Team. At the time I was suffering from pretty bad anxiety, which I have done now for last 10 years on and off. When I first I read through it, I thought: “Hmm, yeah right this is really gonna help me” but I decided to stick with it anyway. I placed a copy on my bathroom mirror, so I read it first thing in the morning whilst getting ready, and there is also a copy on the board in the kitchen.
After a short while I began to realise that this list did actually help me because it made me realise and wake up to how I was feeling. Now I read this list daily just as a reminder for me to think about me and how I feel.
Stress can affect us in a variety of different ways including nausea, constant butterflies, lack of sleep, weight-loss and not being able to think clearly. Sometimes you don’t even realise you’re stressed, as at times I didn’t, until something happens that you really can’t cope with.
Here are the “10 Commandments to Reduce Stress” (from www.medical-masterclass.com). I hope this helps you as much as it has helped me.
- Thou shalt not be perfect or even try
- Thou shalt not try to be all things to all people
- Thou shalt leave undone things that ought to be done
- Thou shalt not spread thyself too thin
- Thou shalt learn to say “NO”
- Thou shalt make time for thyself
- Thou shalt learn to switch off and do nothing regularly
- Thou shalt be boring, untidy and unattractive at times
- Thou shalt not feel guilty
- Thou shalt not be thine own enemy
If you feel like:
- there aren’t enough hours in the day
- you can’t think of what day it is
- you haven’t done anything that YOU want to do for ages
- you can’t see too far into the future
...then these commandments are for you.
