JULY 2020 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 37
HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY MIND HOW TO DE-STRESS
BY DANIELLE SULLIVAN
New York Family
I’ve recently rekindled my passion for
crocheting, a creative endeavor that
soothes me. I set aside time for it on
most days. As a result, I have purchased
a large assortment of yarn in shades of
every color. Whenever I go to make
something, I sift through various bags
searching for what I’m looking for.
Likewise, when I was a young mom I was
always frantically searching for a stray
glue stick or my keys. Then I bought
a rack over my desk to keep my keys
securely fastened, and more recently,
storage containers to hold various
yarns, neatly marked by color. I also set
up a school zone in my home where my
kids could do their homework and keep
their school items.
These small changes made a huge difference
in my life, because they brought
more peace, simply by eliminating what
wasn’t working and fostering what
brings me joy. Here’s how to do the same.
ELIMINATE OBLIGATIONS
It is not necessary or healthy to take on
extra work if you don’t want to. Many
people will take on added commitments
in their personal lives just so they do not
upset anyone.
So when you get pressure to join another
committee, bake sale, or group
project, say “no” to anything you have
no interest in. It is a sign of good health
to set boundaries, so you have time for
you and family.
ADD SOLUTIONS
What are the things that drive you
absolutely crazy on a regular basis? At
work, when something isn’t working,
you will likely fix it. Yet at home, I would
encounter recurring obstacles but not
change them.
Whether it is a simple fix like an overcrowded
coat rack, a dish tray that goes
awry, or a junk drawer that takes up
space and serves no purpose, if we take
five minutes in the day to ask ourselves
what is not working organizationally
at home, we can immediately make a
decision and plan to change it.
ELIMINATE COMMUNICATION
This might sound harsh, but consider
how many people call, text, and email
you daily. Have you ever just sat down to
dinner or to help your child with homework
and gotten an urgent text or call
from a frantic friend or co-worker who
needed their problem heard right then?
Just because we have the technological
capability to always be in touch does
not mean that we must be at everyone’s
beck and call. Of course, you will want
to leave your phone on for your spouse
and kids to be able to reach you, but you
can also decide that at a certain time of
day, you will not answer it for anyone
else. It’s not rude, it’s self-sustaining.
ADD IMPOSED RELAXATION
This means something different for
everyone. Some people reach optimal
relaxation when doing yoga. Others
get it from running, painting, or doing
crafts. Often, it can be something
simple like taking a bath or catching
up on your favorite show. No matter
what does it for you, it is key to introduce
recreation and joy into your daily
life on a regular basis. Otherwise, you
will end up frazzled, and possibly
resentful.
ELIMINATE READING UPDATES
Sure, Facebook is good for waiting
rooms and long bus rides to work, but
there are two big reasons to stay away
from making it a daily habit.
So many of the perfect family holidays,
vacations, and celebrations are
falsely re-created snapshots that do
not exist in real life. You might see
your perfect friend with her perfect
kids and perfect home, but not see that
one minute after the photo was taken,
the kids were arguing, the couple was
fighting, and the Cinderella dream was
dead. Comparing oneself to anyone
(and especially on social media sites
where nothing is reality) only sets you
up to feel less than.
ADD MUSIC
There is something about music that
is instantly soothing. When you turn
on your favorite songs, your heart rate
lowers, your mood changes, and you
feel lighter, brighter, and happier. Just
think of how much your home’s tone
changes when you listen to the hostile
news channels on television compared
to turning off the television and playing
your favorite song.
Music is an instant stress buster, so the
next time your home could use a pickme
up, turn up the volume, and sing
your hearts out.
FIT & FABULOUS
The importance of carving out some “me time” cannot be overestimated. (Getty Images)
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