Frazzled Friday?

= totally tense under pressure Friday and boy was it a tense day today...

Last night I thought that I'd get some extra sleep in. Nodded off around 22h45 only to be wide awake at 3.30am...no matter how much I tried, I couldn't fall off to sleep again. Around 4.15am I jumped out of bed, showered and started preparing the days meal for my family...everything was fast tracked....by 6am, I was tired and decided to shower again and get my boy ready for school. I took my third cap for the week and got on with my chores.

had a fairly light breakfast of lettuce, cucumber and tomato on health bread and green tea and set off for the office. Today was much more subdued for me, but I suffered immense thirst and between the water and green tea, until now, I've probably consumed 3.5 litres of liquid. Lunch consisted of a grilled veggie cutlet with steamed cauliflower and a dollop of lentils, not because I was hungry, but again, just to ensure that I'm sustained and not in a forced state of fullness.

In a rush to get business matters sorted before I leave for New York on Wednesday, the raised energy levels were a blessing today, as I was able to get so much done. Tomorrow is a bit of a special breather day for hubby and I as we're off to a day spa for an entire day of pampering...something that we both desperately need. Sunday is probably back to the grindstone, as I've brought work home to complete before Monday.

Just finished a dinner of a small grilled chicken breast, steamed veggies and lentils with a tbsp of baked beans....and that was a very filling meal.

I'm hoping to get to bed by a respectable hour as it's an exciting day of pampering for us tomorrow and I'm also hoping to get in a good nights sleep.
As frazzled as today started out, I'm actually feeling pretty good right now and all that I'm wishing for tonight is for the heavens above to open wide and spew through glorious rain that has been so lacking in our neck of the woods, oh and a good nights sleep too!

Feeling' Frazzled?
Totally Tense
Under Pressure?

Finding yourself in a hectic situation can really stress you out. Are you looking for a safety net for those days that seem to get worse by the second? Could you really use some advice on how to de-stress both your body and your mind? Knowing how to deal can be half the battle!


Put your body in motion.
Moving from the chair to the couch while watching TV is not being physically active! Physical activity is one of the most important ways to keep stress away by clearing your head and lifting your spirits. Physical activity also increases endorphin levels — the natural "feel-good" chemicals in the body which leave you with a naturally happy feeling.

Whether you like full-fledged gym exercising, or you prefer walks with family and friends, it's important to get up, get out, and get moving!


Fuel up.
Start your day off with a full tank — eating breakfast will give you the energy you need to tackle the day. Eating regular meals (this means no skipping dinner) and taking time to enjoy them (nope, eating in the car on the way to the office doesn't count) will make you feel better too.

Make sure to fuel up with fruits, vegetables, proteins (peanut butter, a chicken sandwich, or a tuna salad) and grains (wheat bread, pasta, or some crackers) — these will give you the power you need to make it through those hectic days.

Don't be fooled by the jolt of energy you get from cooldrinks and sugary snacks — this only lasts a short time, and once it wears off, you may feel sluggish and more tired than usual. For that extra boost of energy to sail through the workday and home activities, grab a banana, some cheese, or a granola bar for some power-packed energy!

LOL!
Some say that laughter is the best medicine — well, in many cases, it is! Did you know that it takes 15 facial muscles to laugh? Lots of laughing' can make you feel good — and, that good feeling can stay with you even after the laughter stops. So, head off stress with regular doses of laughter by watching a funny movie or cartoons, reading a joke book (you may even learn some new jokes), or even make up your own riddles…laughter can make you feel like a new person!Everyone has those days when they do something really silly or stupid — instead of getting upset with yourself, laugh out loud! No one's perfect! Life should be about having fun. So, lighten up!

Have fun with friends.
Being with people you like is always a good way to ditch your stress. Get a group together to go to the movies, shoot some hoops, or play a board game — or just hang out and talk. Friends can help you work through your problems and let you see the brighter side of things.

Spill to someone you trust.Instead of keeping your feelings bottled up inside, talk to someone you trust about what's bothering you. It could be a friend, a colleague, someone in your family. Talking out your problems and seeing them from a different view might help you figure out ways to deal with them. Just remember, you don't have to go it alone!

Take time to chill.
Pick a comfy spot to sit and read, daydream, or even take a snooze. Listen to your favorite music. Work on a relaxing project like putting together a puzzle or making jewelry.Stress can sometimes make you feel like a tight rubber band — stretched to the limit! If this happens, take a few deep breaths to help yourself unwind. If you're in the middle of an impossible work problem, take a break! Finding time to relax after (and sometimes during) a hectic day or week can make all the difference.

Keep a journal.
If you're having one of those crazy days when nothing goes right, it's a good idea to write things down in a journal to get it off of your chest — like how you feel, what's going on in your life, and things you'd like to accomplish. You could even write down what you do when you're faced with a stressful situation, and then look back and think about how you handled it later. So, find a quiet spot, grab a notebook and pen, and start writing!

Get it together.
Too much to do but not enough time? Forgot an important errand? Feeling overwhelmed or discombobulated? Being unprepared for work, home commitments or other activities can make for a very stressful day!Getting everything done can be a challenge, but all you have to do is plan a little and get organized.

Lend a hand.
Get involved in an activity that helps others. It's almost impossible to feel stressed out when you're helping someone else. It's also a great way to find out about yourself and the special qualities you never knew you had! The feeling you will get from helping others is greater than you can imagine!

Most importantly, don't sweat the small stuff! Try to pick a few really important things and let the rest slide — getting worked up over every little thing will only increase your stress. So, toughen up and don't let stressful situations get to you! Remember, you're not alone — everyone has stresses in their lives...it's up to you to choose how to deal with them.