Healthy Body Image Challenge Day 6: "Stress Reducers"

Stress is a part of life. It can motivate you or it can immobilize you. No matter what you do, it's going to always be there, but it doesn't have to rule your life. I have already confessed that I have a tough time doing "first things first". I put off those important tasks that should be done for tomorrow, for the things that will happen far in the future. It is not bad to plan for the future, it is just important to do what is important first. I have worked on writing lists and I know that they can help. The problem is it takes time to plan out my list. I want to be as efficient as possible with my lists, but I still haven't perfected the art of using the list correctly.
I've used different methods:

• Priority Lists (A, B, C, D)
• Timed lists (write the actual time I will work on the task)
• Week Lists (write one or two things down for each day)
• Subject lists (home to do list/school to do list)
• Room lists (things to do in the home)
• Subject lists (what to do at school)

I guess it's not an exhaustive list, but it's what I've tried. I guess the next step in my ability to de-stress is to follow that list. Maybe I need to plan in my day to plan for the next day. I should be better at this because I'm a teacher, but I'm still learning. I admit that this is a weakness, but I want it to be a strength. In my planning, I need to remember to not over plan.

I was talking to my mom last week about this subject. She mentioned that she knew someone that planned out her days with things they needed to get done, but also time to relax. This is an important thing that I forget to do. That might actually be what could help me to continue writing lists.

As I started out writing about these topics, I really thought that it would be more about my weight and how to be healthy, but maybe it was divine intervention that I got sick with pneumonia so I could start out focusing on my mental health. I can't do a lot about exercising right now. I can do a lot more about how I think about my health. It is important to learn how to deal with life in general and all of it's unpredictable events. I know you can't plan for everything, but "If you fail to plan, than you plan to fail."

I've noticed that I still have a tightening on my left side. The doctor called today and told me that my lung is completely normal. Either I still have stuff that is working it's way out or it's a stress ball that has always been there, I just didn't recognize it until now. Either way, I'm going to work on getting more sleep and relaxing by making lists that are attainable and smart.

If you have any tricks on how to write a better list or stay motivated please leave a comment.