Tips on how to get through a very stressful day

Sound familiar? You wake up and just one second before you step out of bed it hits you; it’s going to be a very busy day. Your agenda is too full, your to-do list too long and you want to tuck in early tonight because you’ve been tired for days on end. This would be a good moment to take a couple of very deep breaths, or you’ll totally lose your mind. The next step would be to write down a priority list, write down all the stuff that “must” be done. Unfortunately you run the risk of looking at this list and already knowing it’s going to be impossible to get done. As you are now in a state of panic (or is that just me?) it will be time to swipe. Cross out the things that have to be done, but can also be done tomorrow or the day after. Don’t swipe that sport class you had planned, as this can bring a breath of fresh air to your busy day. You will end up being even more stressed out at the end of the day if you don’t work out. Right?

Everyone suffers on days like these, it’s okay, as long as you get through them and go back to being relaxed as soon as possible. Try to come up with things you like doing, things that make you relax and don’t forget to give yourself the time to do them. Have dinner with friends, visit the sauna, go for a run, stretch out on the sofa and watch a series or cook a huge meal. Be committed and free some time in your schedule to actually do it. I’ll give you some more tips to help you cope with your stress day, little things that will make it just a little easier for you.

If you know it’s going to be a busy day tomorrow, plan ahead. Make a list the night before. It will give you some space.

Make sure your house is clean. Waking up in a pig-stall (I call it my bedroom) causes chaos in your head.

I don’t know if you stand there staring blankly at your wardrobe every morning but lay out your clothes the night before. Saves loads of time.

Put your favorite music on. I tend to reach for my headphones when I start feeling a little nervous.

Lighting a few candles eases my mind and calms me down. Very cosy.

It’s also important to go easy on the “must” or “have to”. If I must or have to do too much I tend to crawl back under the duvet. It’s much more fun if you “want” to do something. So turn those words around in your head.

It may sound silly but: hug someone. Just a quickie. Seriously it helps to de-stress.

Move, move move, I can say it a thousand times. Sport relaxes your mind.

Forgive yourself if you didn’t get around to everything on your list. Be nice to yourself. That’s the most important thing.