I don’t like whinging and whining (Ok, I do it a lot but I’m trying to curb the habit) but sometimes in life, we get stressed up to our eyeballs and we feel like our heads are about to explode. You don’t get that? Ah just me then 😛 Please tell me I’m not alone.
It could be a combination of various factors – work, life, relationships, family etc. I was experiencing a combination of factors and it had gotten so bad I was having trouble sleeping. When I did sleep, it wasn’t a restful sleep and I’d wake up feeling more tired than when I went to bed. I knew then that I had reached my breaking point. I wasn’t being productive in anything I did and it felt like everything was spiralling out of control. I could throw my hands up and crawl into a hole and never come out again, or I could take a break.
The thing about taking a break is this. It doesn’t have to be a holiday. All you need, is a break from your routine to remind yourself that YOU and your wellbeing are just as important as everything else. In fact, I’d highly recommend taking a work day off. Knowing you do not have to go to work when everyone else does lifts your spirits already 😀
I’d like to just share some tips I have because I just recovered from a very highly stressed period when I just felt highly strung all the time, and when nothing I did seemed to be productive at all. If you have your tips to share, please do. We can all benefit from learning from each other 🙂
Realising you need a break from your daily life
This is the most important thing of all. Often, we get so caught up in our daily lives – work, family, blogging (oh yeah!) – that we forget just how much we give ourselves to others without taking time for ourselves. I was feeling highly strung all the time, and nothing seemed to go right. I swear, the thing about the universe listening is very true. When you feel out of sorts and when your world seems to be wobbling on its axis, the universe only adds to that wobble.
What you need is to sit back, say “Stop!” and take a break. Not realising this can be detrimental for your physical and mental health. I was feeling out of sorts healthwise, tired all the time, and I’d be snapping at everyone. I sat back one day and said “Enough. I need a break and I’m taking the day off” and I did.
Take a day off
I know, its easier said than done for many of us, but do it anyway. The fact is, no one is indispensable. The sooner you realise this, the less you will raise yourself on your own pedestal. Of course, don’t go and run out in the middle of a crisis or in the middle of a project. Finish what you have to do and then take time out for yourself.
As I said above, I highly recommend taking a working day off. (Students, I do not recommend taking a school day off so this doesn’t apply to you 😛 ) Book your day off and I promise you, the minute you wake up in the morning with the realisation that you don’t have to go into work that day while everyone has to, will make you feel much better already 😀
Do something you love for yourself
So what do you do on your day off? Something you love. Don’t take the opportunity to run errands or finish up chores. This is a day for YOU. So do something fun, something you enjoy. Know what I did? I went to a theme park.
I’m an adrenaline junkie and I really needed to get the stress out of my system. So, I went to the nearest theme park we have, up in Genting Highlands – a local hilltop resort just about an hour away from KL. The rides were a little tame for me, but it was enough. I could vent my energy screaming my head off on all the big thrill rides (which I did on purpose) and when I wanted a little breather, I paddled a boat in the middle of a lake, allowing myself to drift along with the current.
It was, for me, therapeutic. My pent up energy went somewhere, I got my adrenaline pumping and importantly, I did something I thoroughly enjoyed and my disposition improved dramatically.
If you aren’t an adrenaline junkie as I am, then do something for yourself. Go hiking, book yourself into a spa, get a 3 hour massage, sit at a cafe and people watch all day. But do something for YOU.
Have something to look forward to
If you can’t take the day off immediately, schedule one in the near future. Plan a short holiday, a weekend away or even a nice meal out. Its easier to get through a rough stressful time when you have something to look forward to. A light at the end of the tunnel, as it were. It gives you hope, and something to look forward to, and that can sometimes be what helps you focus on completing what you have to do now, so you can get to that prize.
What I’ve realised after my short day off is that I feel much better. I am a little more productive and find it easier to focus on what I’m doing. I no longer feel overwhelmed all the time, and my world seems to be spinning properly again. No more wobbling on its axis. Its been good for the soul and I highly recommend it 😀
Have you experienced intense life stresses and how do you deal with it?
The most important thing I’ve learnt, is to realise that we aren’t infallible. Juggling our lives is like spinning plates. When they’re all spinning well, life’s a beach. But when they start to wobble, its all we can do to keep them all from falling down, and that places a lot of stress on us. In this situation, I like to hit what I call the “Pause” button. Take a short time out, do something for myself, re-energize and when I come back, things always work out better and the plates go on spinning happily 🙂
Paris B
p/s Picture No. 1 was taken up in Genting Highlands. London calls but she’ll have to wait her turn 🙂
Very valid points. Thanks for this wonderful sharing and reminder. I feel bad for myself because for the longest time, I have been subjecting myself to a lot of stress and torment work, relationship, self and a lot of other things. Work seem to be running my world these days. In a way, it is an escape for me for I willingly enslave myself to the long hours, lack of sleep, anxiety and panic. I am shy to admit that when a stranger or friend asked me what’s my hobby or favourite past time, I am speechless. Oh well, I do love reading blogs (yours in particular) and I love to go shopping and dine on my own. People expected more – like gym, hiking, swimming, painting etc.
Not sure when I hit rock bottom or maybe I will emerge as a stronger person. But then again, how strong do I really need to be? Lovely pictures you have there. As always, reading your blog is a beauty experience with discovery inside out. Thank you Paris. You’re a great inspiration to me 🙂
Ah Jennifer, I’ve been down that road too. Its sometimes easy to take solace in work but it also pays to remember that you can’t function as a person if work is all consuming. I made the conscious effort a few years ago that I wouldn’t stay past a certain time at the office unless I had to, that I wouldn’t take work home unless it was absolutely crucial (like life and death crucial) and that I would not work on weekends. Its actually helped made me balance things out, be more productive and not feel like I have to be on call all the time. Try it if you can.
Plus I don’t know what to say when people ask me about hobbies too. I mean, “collecting Meteorites” sounds pretty dumb, don’t you agree? 😉 Time to give more to yourself and the way the universe works, you’ll find it coming back a more friendly place 🙂
hahaha. I thought that you went to London for a holiday! Yeah, i experience that few years ago. i was too inexperience to handle emotional stress all at one go- family, study, break up and even friends. In the end, i had to go to see a therapist because on the verge on going suicidal. Yeah, taking a break is good ^^.
I wished I was in London for a holiday 🙂 Seeing a therapist was good idea. Many people feel insecure going to one so I think if we realise that we can’t handle things ourselves anymore, its time to seek help!
Well, most people would have a general bad idea about one person after that person went to see a therapist and some would have assumption that this person is crazy to be unable to handle emotional stress. I am glad i did when things seem to fall apart rather than forcing ourselves to hold on to it.
I think its just society but so long as it helps you, I don’t see why seeing a therapist is a bad thing 🙂 Good to know it’s helped you and that its got you back on track! 🙂
I’m very stressed too!!! So much so a day off is not enough. 🙁 Stress busters, anyone?
One of the best ways if I really really want to beat the stress is to swim or do something physical. It gets you tired and the adrenaline going, and makes me feel better. Sedentary pursuits while fun, doesn’t quite get it out of the system for me. If all else fails, go on a giant roller coaster ride and scream away. Guarantee you’ll feel better hehe
I don’t think you whine a lot, to be honest! You are very grounded and deserve all that the success that you enjoy. 🙂
Sometimes (as you prolly know), the blog gives me so much grief and pressure that I just disappear for weeks!
Thank you Mag 🙂 I whine a bit in real life but am trying to curb that habit too 😉 I totally understand blog pressures. Its rewarding yet can be so stressful when we don’t meet deadlines or have a backlog. I have finally worked out a schedule and happily, most people I work with don’t bug me anymore 🙂
I agree with you. When I feel I have too much to handle, I will take a day or a half day off from work and wonder about. It usually happens about a period of time at work and being there for my family. I usually will go window shop, have a meal alone, drink coffee alone, or go for a hair cut etc. I consider this ‘me time’ 😉
Oh I love going for haircuts when I need a short break from work. The head and shoulder massage plus the cut and blowdry that leaves you feeling fabulous really perks up the spirits! 😀
I guess we all go through this period somewhere in our lives. I just came back from a lovely holiday with hubby in Singapore and I still cannot forget the scariest roller coaster ride in USS Battlestar Galatica. Hahaha. The funny thing about taking a short break or holidays is that you really wish it will never end. The thought of going back to work today was certainly not appealing at all to me. But hey, we need to work to pay the bills unless of course I win the lottery. Lol. My work is not stressful at all and it is more of me trying to make the best of my situation. Just need to learn to be grateful for the little things that come my way 🙂
Ahhhh now I want to go on that USS Battlestar Galactica! 😀 I shall have to plot a trip down to Singapore soon. I know what you mean about taking holidays. Its so carefree and going back to work is such a bummer! I hate coming back to unpack and do the laundry. OMG! Madness! 😛 Hence I suggest a day off, rather than a holiday because that’s less stressful 😉
whenever i get stressed up and feel unproductive. I will usually pamper myself with a good spa and mani pedi. If it doesnt work, i will also go to theme parks for a little adrenaline rush !
Ah nothing beats the theme park for surging adrenaline! 🙂
Love this! Releasing stress at a theme park is right up my alley 😛
At least when you scream there, it makes sense and screaming is therapeutic! 😀
Excellent post! I agree with having something to look forward to, whether it be a lipstick, a bag of crisps or a holiday. It just makes those long days somewhat bearable!
I organised a day off last year after a two week stint – it did me good, but some called me ‘princess!’ Trust me, I’m a lot easier to deal with when I’ve had time to be me!
A bag of crisps! I have to restrict the bags of crisps I have at home so I don’t turn into a blimp LOL Lucky (or maybe not) for me, its pricey to get good crisps here so I don’t indulge so much. But when I do, I sure look forward to it! 😀 I think you have every right to be a princess, if only for a day 😉