This week was Stress Awareness Day … we hope this article is something that will provide some help if stress is something that affects you. Its all about punctuation, putting in stops …
“I woke up this morning and jumped in the shower with a thousand things running through my head I wondered how I would get through the mountain of the day that seemed to be in front of me the two page to do list that was waiting at work wondering what I had in the fridge that the kids would eat or likely throw on the floor for dinner the birthday card I still hadn’t sent for my sister’s birthday two weeks ago but it was nice just to stand still for two minutes to have some peace the two minutes that it took me to shower had helped to clear my head and give me some perspective on the day that I needed.”
What was your experience of reading this? Did you start to run out of breath? Did it even make sense? Maybe you gave up reading up?
Sometimes our lives can feel like this story. A constant race that we can’t stop. A never ending to do list. Trying to make time for family, friends, colleagues. Making sure that you’re wearing the latest fashion item. The assignment deadline in four hours. Pressure. Attending that business meeting that you know you should be at whilst worrying about finishing the business orders that should have been sent yesterday. Trying to do the next load of washing whilst stopping the toddler pulling all the tins out of the cupboard. Stress. It can be easy to just keep going and keep going without pausing or stopping. As mental health charity Mind say ‘We all know what it is like to feel stressed – being under pressure is a normal part of life. But becoming overwhelmed with stress can lead to mental health problems or make existing problems worse.’
Our mental health matters.
So what it we added some punctuation in?
“I woke up this morning and jumped in the shower with a thousand things running through my head. I wondered how I would get through the mountain of the day that seemed to be in front of me; the two page to do list that was waiting at work, wondering what I had in the fridge that the kids would eat or likely throw on the floor for dinner, the birthday card I still hadn’t sent for my sister’s birthday two weeks ago. But it was nice just to stand still for two minutes. To have some peace. The two minutes that it took me to shower had helped to clear my head and give me some perspective on the day that I needed.”
Better?
Broken up with punctuation this story seems a bit more manageable, understandable.
Today, on National Stress Awareness Day, we’d like to propose punctuation. ‘Punctuation, what do you mean?’ I hear you ask. Read our infographic for some ideas.
Some of these are quick and simple steps; some will take more thought and rearranging of schedules and priorities. I know from personal experience that when I choose to prioritise and use well the commas, semi colons and full stops of life, that a stressful day can become a bit calmer. It doesn’t make my day suddenly perfect or easy but sitting down to drink a cuppa whilst it’s hot or choosing to notice and enjoy a flower with my toddler can just shift my perspective away from looming stress or anxiety.
Share with us today how you’re going to choose to punctuate your day, week or month and help alleviate the day to day stress becoming overwhelming.