The Ultimate Stress Management Plan: Part 2

Continued from Part 1

Work on One Household Project a Week

Your home is your sanctuary, the one place you should feel most comfortable. When it is in disarray, you cannot get the full relaxation you need. Nevertheless, the concept of cleaning and organizing the whole house can be daunting. That is why we recommend breaking up the project into smaller tasks.

Choose one household project to complete each week. This could be anything from organizing a closet to deep cleaning your cabinets. Many of these projects can be finished in 15-30 minutes. If you can handle more than one a week, go for it! Don’t put too much pressure on yourself though.

As you move through the house, try to come up with systems that will prevent the space from getting cluttered in the future. Make the items you need constant access to as accessible as possible. Create homes for common sources of clutter, and donate/throw away items that no longer add value to your life. This gives you less to worry about in the future.

Evaluate Your Support System (Remove Toxic Influences)

You deserve to have a positive support system. If someone in your life is persistently negative, that may not be a good person to have around. You do not have to cut ties completely, but you should prioritize your time well. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and make you feel important.

Take a Mental Health Day

Many employers now offer mental health days in addition to sick days and vacation time. Mental health days are designed to give workers a much-needed break. If you have persistently been overworked or you have a lot going on right now, consider taking a day off work. Talk to your employer first to see what the company’s policy is. Is the day paid or unpaid? How long in advance do you need to request the day off? Plan accordingly so you can make the most of this opportunity.

Find a Therapist You Can Trust

Your therapist can be an integral contributor to your stress management plan. As you discuss your personal struggles, your stress will naturally dissipate. Your therapist will also provide personalized advice you can use to overcome stress. These strategies will fit your lifestyle, personality, and past experiences.

If you have a therapist already, talk to him or her about the stress you are experiencing. If you do not have a therapist, feel free to contact Midwest Psychological Services. We have specialists on staff for many areas, including depression treatment, anxiety treatment, family counseling, anger management, marriage counseling and more. Give us a call at (715) 381-1980 to get matched with a therapist near you.