Our Ask An Angel correspondent is Arlene Petersen, Life Care Navigation Specialist in the area of senior home care.
Q. This new year has brought some challenges my way, mostly with my time. It seems like there is always something to do, a call to make, or rushing here and there for some reason or another. I like to be active and busy, but things are out of hand, and I don’t know how to slow down.
A. Having a busy life can be “normal” for some people. When you get stuck in this pattern, it can feel like a bad habit and that can be hard to break. So I suggest starting with simple changes. It sounds like you may still be driving and rushing to appointments or running errands. If this is on your plate, have you found yourself running late for those appointments?
It may sound like a no-brainer, but try adding five minutes to your travel time. You’ll appreciate the breathing room the extra time gives you. I have a friend who actually sets her clock three minutes ahead so she can “relax” in knowing she has a fudge factor in her schedule. The extra time also reduces worry, which can actually make you rush even more!
Take a look at what little things you can do to slow down. Do you need to set your alarm in the morning so that you can take a few moments to stretch, to settle down with a quiet time to meditate or settle your thoughts for the day? This is a great time to create a “to do” list so that you are organized for the day and don’t experience chaos.
Not a morning person? Make your list the night before. This practice puts your thoughts in order and can actually help you with a good night’s rest. Taking a look at that list can actually help you determine where you can “cut” so stress is reduced.
Do you really need to say yes to every request that comes your way? Drawing healthy boundaries around your life can be a sweet reward, opening up time to do things that reduce stress. I am a big advocate for setting those healthy boundaries. Simply ask yourself if what you are committing to is absolutely necessary. It’s OK to say no.
You’ll find that if you feel rested and refreshed, you’ll have more energy to give when needed. When we are over-active and stretched, we don’t engage fully in ways we might desire. All this to say, it may be time to take an honest inventory of how you run your day. Start with the “to do” list. Examine it honestly and start removing the stressors on that list.
• Have a question for our angel correspondent? You can send our angel an email to apetersen@visitingangels.com or send your question via mail to Ask An Angel, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin, IL 60177
