Simpleology Blog

With the holidays over, we're back in full swing at my house these days. There's job pressure, school, soccer practice, tennis lessons, plumbing problems, and appointments with the dentist. You get the picture.

I figured it was time to regroup and remind myself of all the stress management techniques that help us get it all done and keep us from going nuts.

Here are my top 10 "sanity tips:"

1. Identify and stick to your priorities. Make a list of tasks you must accomplish. Include a deadline or a clear time commitment for each item on your list.

2. Be organized. Use the list you made to organize your life and calendar. Treat tasks as appointments with yourself just as you'd make appointments with others. Respect your own time.

3. Keep communication lines open. You have to communicate well with the people around you such as your your family, your friends, and your workmates. The motto that you should keep in mind is this: "Communicate early and communicate often." Remember also that communication is a learned skill. Practice it until it becomes second nature.

4. Expect the unexpected. One morning, when you have a really important meeting at work or a deadline looming over your head, you'll wake up to a flooded basement or maybe your child is down with the flu. These are the kind of days when you have to take one for the team, so to speak. When these unforeseen setbacks happen, do your best to keep your cool and cope. It happens to all of us.

5. Save time by spending a little more money. In the long run, you have only two things to spend: time and money. If you want to save on one, you'll have to spend the other. For instance, if you want to get your spring cleaning done without having to miss your child's soccer match, then it may be a good idea to spend money for a cleaning crew to come to your house.

6. Pick your battles. Decide what things are non-negotiable for you and which ones really are not that big a deal at home and at work. For example, there are so many things I used to get worked up about that I just don't sweat anymore. It's really not wise to waste energy complaining about people who, say, don't believe in saying "Please" or "Excuse me."

7. Make the most of your time. Help your son with his homework while you're waiting for the wash to finish. Plan your errands so that everything in one neighborhood is done in the same trip. Catch up on your email while waiting for your kid off school.

8. Learn to say, "No!" Clearly, there are some things you can't say no to, such as when your boss asks you to do an important task or your baby needs to go to the doctor. But there are plenty of things you can say no to--like when a lazy co-worker tries to make you do his or her work.

9. Ask for help. When there's too much to do at home or at work, ask for help. This totally goes against the "Superparent" self-concept many of us have of ourselves, but, let's face it, we all know that we cannot do it everything well by ourselves all the time.

10. Be kind to yourself and others. Be sure to take care of yourself and your family by spending time together. You and your spouse should also have time together without the kids. And, of course, you need to take time out for yourself as well. A little "me" time can do a lot to recharge body and mind.

Bottom line? To take care of others and to take care of business, you have to take care of yourself. Be as thoughtful of yourself as you are of others, and respect your own time and energy. That respect and balance will translate into the work you do with and for others.

Credits: Photo by Petr Kratochvil, courtesy of Public Domain Pictures.

The author is a professor of Psychology and Health and Behavioral Science at the University of Colorado Denver. She is the founder of Powerful Mind Consulting and Coaching, LLC. Mary is a seasoned speaker, facilitator, and higher education and coaching professional who has been "living the dream" as a working mom, professor, scientist, university administrator, and executive and life coach for over 15 years. Her professional background is concentrated in human behavior, stress management, and mind-body relationships.

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