JUGGLING IT ALL.

The three of us de-stressing.  Clearly, Rhett is not stressed.  Oh, to have a dog’s life.

Some days I wonder, how do I keep up with everything?  And how will I continue to keep up with everything once we add kids into the mix?  Between our 2 businesses, making time for our marriage, making time for friends and family, making time for church, dr’s appointments trying to combat this adult acne, exercise, remembering to take our dog out to pee, trying to implement our Sanity Guidelines, doing laundry, doing dishes, and this week taking care of a sick husband on top of celebrating both my mom’s and best friend’s birthday in the same week, while still trying to do laundry and do dishes, and oh yeah, all the extra stress of unexpected business things, and unexpected bills and trying to save for retirement, let alone future children, college, weddings…. ::That was my huge big deep breath you didn’t hear when I finished typing that::

Yet… somewhere in the midst of the chaos, there is peace… a peace that surpasses understanding knowing that I don’t have to figure it all out.  Knowing that there is Someone higher than me Who knows all the answers… If I didn’t have the choice to put my faith in Jesus, to put my worries, stress, hopes and dreams in His hands, I would truly have lost it by now trying to juggle it all, and probably fail miserably.

My Tips For De-Stressing:

1.  Make Time For Quiet Time

Just like our bodies need food to start the day, our inner selves need quiet time with the Lord to get the day going.  To start the day reading the Bible or a devotional, to recharge our batteries full of hope and trust and prayer putting our stress in His hands.

2.  Bubble baths

Every now and then, an old fashioned bubble bath with candles and spa music playing on your Pandora station will do wonders.

3.  Yoga

I haven’t done this in years, but I keep saying I want to get back into it.  Taking that hour to simply “be” did wonders for my stress levels.  And if you aren’t a yoga nerd, at least get a good run or workout in to burn off the stress.

4.  Eat Healthy

It’s when I’m eating nothing but crap that I feel my worst and feel the most stressed.

5.  Take Bike Rides.

Ok, in this Florida heat right now, it feels icky, but recently, the hubby and I have found such serenity in stepping away from our desk at the end of each day and opening up our garage to pull out our bikes and ride away from all the stress.  For that half hour, I look at my dog in my basket on my bike and think exactly what he’s thinking: “There’s nothing better than wind in the hair.”

6.  Laugh.

This is such an obvious one.  But I hope you have someone in your life who makes you laugh every single day.  For me, it’s my husband, dog and nightly reruns of Golden Girls as I try to fall asleep.  Whatever it takes, make sure you are feeding your sense of humor.

7.  Clean Your Desk/Kitchen/Bedroom.

Clutter in your surroundings only keeps your mind cluttered.  Clean your most visited areas and get rid of the unnecessary.  I have to frequently mark this as a To Do item on my calendar before the clutter overwhelms me more than it should be.

8.  Set Business Hours.

This has been our biggest lesson we’ve learned lately.  If you own your own business, you have to learn to run your business and not your business run you.

9.  Visit The Water.

For me here in Florida, visiting the beach is so refreshing for my soul.  When looking at how big the ocean is, it always reminds me how small my worries are, and that God has it all in control.  And if you can’t visit a beach, visit a lake.  If you can’t visit a lake, refer to tip #2.

10.  Unplug From Electronics.

As many followers as you might have on social media, it’s ok, they don’t need to know your every move.  They WILL survive without you.  Break up with them… at least for a day… or gulp, even a week. Go ahead, I dare you.  You’ll be surprised how this can help you de-stress, and how much more you can fill your life with than having your nose stuck in a magical brick.

Here’s me accomplishing #5.