Don't be too busy to make time for yourself...

A person being “too busy” is a myth some may say as people make time for the things that are really important to them but whatever the truth about this statement we would suggest that you never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life. Being busy and being productive are two different things and “I’m busy” is becoming a default reply for many of us.

Everywhere you look these days people seem to be stressed out which is very concerning as stress is a risk factor for depression.  We are told that at least 1 in 5 of us say stress is a problem and about 38% of people will be affected by some form of mental illness. If you see a bull running towards you your instinct is to run away and your stress hormones will help you to run faster than normal until you are out of danger. Instead of using these hormones in emergencies we now live at such a pace that we activate them a lot of the time. Stress can be helpful and motivating to some degree but too much of it can mean we are not able to work to our full potential and you may miss opportunities to grow and advance. Remember to invest in yourself as you are the most important company you can ever work for and being too busy can blur your visions for the future !

Look for signs that stress may be affecting you:

• Waking up feeling tired – poor sleep pattern. Everything feels like an effort.
• Frequent tension headaches often due to muscle tension.
• Producing more sweat not associated with exercise or external temperature.
• Inappropriate anger or irritation at small things.
• Losing things such as keys, wallet, phone (stress can cause memory problems and lack of focus).
• Feelings of “unhappiness” or tearfulness on a regular basis.
• Panic attacks
• Inability to “switch off”
• Eating or drinking too much.

You may feel that too much is being demanded of you and struggle to cope with the ups and downs of everyday life. These feelings can become overwhelming and this is why it is important to strike a better work / life balance. Take some time to consider how much time you spend reading emails, playing computer games, looking at social media or surfing the net and maybe allocate some “technology free” time each day.

Here are some suggested actions to help you achieve this:

• Make time to relax and do enjoyable things – this may be as simple as having a long relaxing bath, reading a book or taking up a hobby.
• Exercise is a good antidote for stress – find a form that suits your lifestyle and ability.
• Give yourself time to think and set realistic goals.
• Learn to prioritise effectively – identify what is truly important. Be comfortable saying “no” sometimes and recognise your limits.
• Realise you can’t do everything and try not to “beat yourself up” !
• Remove unnecessary noise and distractions especially in the workplace.
• Make time for friends and family.
• Finally never underestimate the power of humour and laughter.

You may like to look at our range of remedies:

• St Johns Wort which acts on neurotransmitters/ brain chemicals influencing mood. Thought to have less adverse side effects than conventional medications but you should consult your Doctor if you are currently on any medication.
• Valerian is a traditional sedation and is also helpful for stress / anxiety. Can help with insomnia.
• Rhodiola which can help our bodies adapt to stress by increasing and balancing brain chemicals associated with mood.
• Ginkgo Biloba which is thought to improve blood circulation to the brain and thereby improve memory and concentration.
• Lavender Essential Oil for general relaxation and to relieve headaches.
• Some research has suggested that taking a Vitamin B Complex can be beneficial for stress and depression.
• 5HTP  +Tryptophan – amino acids and precursors of serotonin used to treat sleep and mood disorders.      
• Passion Flower (Passiflora) used by the body to make serotonin used for normal brain and nerve function and may also help with headaches.
• Chamomile – helps with relaxation and sleep

We do hope this has given you some ideas about how to cope with the stresses and demands of living in the world today and above all the reassurance that you are not alone. As always we always love to hear from you and share your experiences in dealing with these pressures.