Holistic Holistic Health Associates :: Meditation, Frederick, MD

By Denise Ordonio, Licensed Massage Therapist and co-founder of Holistic Health Associates

I’ll start by saying that in this day and age, it would take a miracle to live a stress free life.

The best time to figure out how to manage that stress is when you first start feeling overly full. Sometimes life just feels like we have too many things to do, all of which cause stress.

I’m going to share the way I manage my stress. It’s simple, and everyone is welcome to keep these ideas in mind. I keep an ongoing internal list in my head of what’s happening and what’s important in my life. Life may become overwhelming, weekly, daily or even hourly.

At that point I actually jot down what’s going on in my life and what’s most important. I usually have sub categories like home, family, relationships, work, friends and self. Just by writing it down, I can usually tell immediately what areas are out of balance. For example: If I can’t sleep and can’t focus on work. I ask myself…. What is different that is causing my reaction to this situation. Here is the tough part; I have to be honest on what’s really happening in my life. Years ago, when I first made my list, I realized that I was overwhelmed with too many kids’ activities, I hated shopping and I never had time for the gym. These activities fall mainly under home, no surprise, because at the time I was a stay at home mom.

What I did next was incredible. I got rid of most of those obligations. I made it a priority to arrange carpools and when I drove I kept books and music and snacks in the car so I actually started enjoying taking the kids to activities. The car became my own mini retreat. I found someone who loved shopping and bartered some favors to avoid that activity altogether. Then I move exercise to the top of my priority list, and didn’t take no for an answer.

The next key is to manage what is left on your list. Find out what’s most important first. For most of us, work is most important because the money we earn sustains us. So mark out the hours you plan to work and stick to it. Next on my list of important things were relationship with your spouse and family? I felt like all those kids activities we straining my relationship.

I found 7 other friends who felt the same way and we decided to form a couple’s Bunco Group. Bunco is a mindless game which allows us the time to socialize and relax, but is structured enough to meet once a month. That was almost 14 years ago. At the time, I felt it was a great way to have couple time together as well as a way our husbands could meet new friends outside the office. The bonds formed in that group are amazing. We have something that is rare in today’s transient world and in our bedroom communities. Our group consists of 18 people now. Our kids grew up together and remain friends as they are moving out and going off on their own. It was nice for our kids to have this social group since most of their cousins and relatives live far away and were difficult to form everyday relationships with.

Most of our family lives out of state, so it’s great to have friends we can trust and depend on in each others times of need. The past few years have brought many sorrows and many joys and I don’t know what I would have done without my (extended family) friends.

Don’t let stress build up to the point of it taking over you life. The bottom line is that you can manage your priorities to keep balance and harmony.

Managing Your Life