taking care Of Yourself

Sometimes, you can tell it is going to be a bad day as soon as your feet hit the floor. Since going back to bed and pulling the covers over your head is not an option I want you to try these coping techniques to help get you through the day without losing a client, filing for divorce, or selling your children to the highest bidder.

Take a quick hot shower – focus on running the hot water on your neck, shoulders and back. You are not after cleanliness- you are after a way to relax those muscles that are so tight that your jaw is aching. Get completely dressed from head to toe – simpler is better.

This is the day to drag out your favorite something to wear – whether it is a certain shirt, jeans, or pair of shoes. Add a dash of perfume – even if you planned to scrub the floors there is no reason you cannot scrub while smelling perfectly delicious!

Do not skip breakfast or lunch. It is especially important to eat a nutriously rich breakfast. If you are not a breakfast person whip up a fruit smoothie with juice, milk, and whatever fruit is on hand. A slice of toast with fruit spread or peanut butter. Eat brain food for lunch – even the quick food places have good salads if you skimp on the salad dressing a little.

Yes, you may have a cup of coffee or tea – but try to drink as much water as you can hold and stay away from the caffeine. Just for today. Part of that dry eyes and slight headache you are feeling might be simple dehydration from the five cups of coffee you had yesterday!

Look at your To-do list and start eliminating things. Try to delegate a few of those tasks to family members who are going to be in the area and are old enough to help. Skip the household tasks you normally do before heading out the door – nobody cares that the beds are unmade and there are dishes in the sink while the dishwasher sits there empty. Plan to order takeout – use the delivery service even if the budget can only afford cheese pizzas and the tip will be $2

The most powerful word I ever learned to use is to say no. Quietly. Simply. Do not offer an excuse. Say, “thank you for asking but I am afraid I have to say no right now”. Repeat it until the person asking understands you mean it. I am giving you permission. Being available every minute to everyone in your life today is not a good thing. As a WAHM you spend your days taking care of others as well as your clients and handling all those work projects under critical deadlines so learning to say no can be as important as saying yes.

Do not answer your home telephone or cell telephone – let everything go to voice mail for a few hours. It is okay not to answer and you can listen to the messages afterwards. Call them back after you handle the bulk of your priorities.

These are simple things but they can make a difference at the start of your day and help you turn that nightmare day into something everyone in your household can survive.

Posted:Saturday, March 29, 2008