So, yes, I missed the deadline to have the first draft of A Love of His Own completed. I am still wrestling with it, along with significant work stress. Oh, and we still don’t have a kitchen.
We know stress kills creativity. And, given my current circumstances, it isn’t going anywhere.
So, what can we do about it? How do we tame the stress so our muse will come hang out with us and bring some inspiration along with her?
Here are 10 Things “experts” Say Will Reduce Stress
1. Get enough sleep
Because it’s so easy to sleep when you’re already stressed. It’s not like stress causes insomnia or anything. Oh wait.
2. Eat Well-Balance meals
Already doing this, though this can also be a source of stress. It’s a lot easier to pick up something on my way home that to spend thirty minutes I don’t have trying to put together a healthy choice. In a non-existent kitchen.
3. Limit Alcohol and Caffeine
Gave up both when I was pregnant, and I never started back on either. Very liberating to not need that cup of coffee in the morning, though I was awful to be around for the two months it took to break the habit.
Frankly, I’m not sure if this just transfers your stress from you to your family members as they now have to deal with you without coffee…
4. Count to 10 (or 20 or 1,000)
This has helped me when dealing with my children, but not for the bigger things like when those children are ill. Or washing dishes in a bathtub while my youngest insists she must take her bath right now.
5. Take Deep Breaths
Okay… Feel like medical science might be stretching a little here.
6. Take a time-out.
No, not the kind you give your children.
Although maybe.
They recommend things like practicing yoga, listening to music, meditating, getting a massage, or learning relaxation techniques. According to the experts, stepping back from the problem helps clear your head. Because I totally have time for this! If I did, I might not be as stressed out…
7. Learn what triggers your anxiety.
What triggers mine? Not having a kitchen.
Or impossible goals like trying to balance work, children, a spouse, a household, and writing. You know, modern American life.
8. Maintain a positive attitude.
I think I actually flipped off the computer monitor when I read this. Mature, I know.
9. Get involved.
Volunteer or find another way to be active in your community, which creates a support network and gives you a break from everyday stress. Which totally works because I’m not already stressed over not having enough time meet all my current obligations.
10. Welcome humor. A good laugh goes a long way.
Clearly what some of these coping strategies are. For me, anyway.
If nothing else, I suppose it did make me smile a little. Sometimes, science can’t solve all your problems. Although a good contractor would go a long way to solving mine.
