Ask an Expert
JULY TOPIC: Healthy Living
Ellie Savoy
Board Certified Holistic Health Coach, Author of the Bestselling Book Stop Dieting Start Living & Founder of the Stop Dieting Start Living Weight Loss System |
OUR EXPERT:
Ellie Savoy is a Board Certified Holistic Health Coach and the author of the #1 international bestselling book Stop Dieting Start Living: 5 Foundations for Your Health to Permanently Lose Weight Without Dieting Starvation or Suffering in Silence. She is also the founder of the Stop Dieting Start Living Weight Loss System. Her commonsense and step-by-step approach has literally transformed the way people look at their bodies, health and life. Ellie’s approach is for anyone who wants to take control of her health and future. She has helped women with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, thyroid imbalance, irritable bowel syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and a host of other symptoms. She works with individuals, corporations and nonprofit organizations. |
I’m single, and I’m faced with having to do everything – besides working full-time, there’s housework, yard work, bills, etc. It can all be so overwhelming sometimes, and the stress of thinking of all I need to do keeps me up at night. I wake up many nights with my mind racing with what needs to be done the next day. Now my sleep is affected.” ~ Joanne (New York)
Hi Joanne. Thank you so much for your question. I often find myself telling my private clients that they are not alone in the challenge(s) they share with me. This often gives them a sense of relief. I feel compelled to say the same to you which will hopefully have you breathing a sigh of relief. The portion sizes of dealing with daily life are super-sized in our modern world, and this can easily lead to stress and feeling overwhelmed. This is not good for our health, so it's worth exploring how to take the pressure off. Here are some suggestions:
(1) Make a list of EVERYTHING you do. This might take a few days, a week or longer – it’s likely that you will keep thinking of things you do automatically and probably haven’t considered the time it takes to do them. These might include watering your plants (important) or spending an hour on social media (maybe not so important!). Include all errands (write each one out, instead of writing "errands") so that you see the full extent of what they all are. Are you helping others the minute they ask for help, even if it puts you under more pressure? Putting our own "oxygen mask" on first is critical for our own survival - nail appointments, hair appointments, etc. You get the idea. This is not about being "perfect" and having a list that you want to see! Once you feel you have a complete list, separate those things that you absolutely must do from those you can let go of. It is a very eye-opening exercise.
(2) List appointments on your calendar. This could be on your computer or in a physical day planner. Do what works for you. Make appointments for everything on your "Must Do List," such as paying bills (this could be a 30 minute appointment). Perhaps housework could be broken up into bite-sized time frames to make it more manageable for you, such as 30 minutes one evening to clean bathrooms, 30 minutes to clean the kitchen, etc. Plan ahead for meals - batch cook on Sunday so you have meals for the week.
(3) Make yourself a PRIORITY. Be sure to put some "Joanne Time" on your calendar just like you are doing for all other things on your "Must Do List." It is important to carve out time for ourselves; all too often, there is no time left and resentment can set in. For example, if you typically go to bed at 10 p.m., make an appointment for 9 p.m. to unwind and unplug. Reflect on your day and feel grateful for all that you have going well for you in your life. Going to bed feeling happy and calm will help with your sleep. When we wake up feeling rested, the day seems to go much better. Plus, sleep is vitally important for our health.
Lastly, remember that Rome wasn't built in a day. It takes time to implement new habits. I encourage you to stick with it. You are worth it.
Is there research that links a higher stress level with social media? Today, everyone can see what the Joneses are doing, and I feel like this affects the levels of stress that many women face – they feel that they need to strive to be perfect because others are ‘watching.’ ~ Meghan (NY)
Hi Meghan, I haven't looked for research on this, but my philosophy is to create an environment that is supportive and makes us feel happy and excited about life, instead of the opposite. The news is a classic example of the latter. It's a choice to watch it and get drawn into all the negativity. Social media can have the same effect. I rarely watch the news, and I skip over anything that does not please me on social media because I enjoy being happy, instead of worried about the things I cannot change.
I love your question because it presents an opportunity to examine why we feel we have to keep up with the Joneses. When we are confident and living our own truth and standing in our own personal power, we don't feel any pressure or need to be like others. I used to worry about this so much years ago. I don't anymore, and it is very liberating.
This may seem like a simple answer to your question, but please don't underestimate it. Give it a try. I hope it will help you.
Hi Joanne. Thank you so much for your question. I often find myself telling my private clients that they are not alone in the challenge(s) they share with me. This often gives them a sense of relief. I feel compelled to say the same to you which will hopefully have you breathing a sigh of relief. The portion sizes of dealing with daily life are super-sized in our modern world, and this can easily lead to stress and feeling overwhelmed. This is not good for our health, so it's worth exploring how to take the pressure off. Here are some suggestions:
(1) Make a list of EVERYTHING you do. This might take a few days, a week or longer – it’s likely that you will keep thinking of things you do automatically and probably haven’t considered the time it takes to do them. These might include watering your plants (important) or spending an hour on social media (maybe not so important!). Include all errands (write each one out, instead of writing "errands") so that you see the full extent of what they all are. Are you helping others the minute they ask for help, even if it puts you under more pressure? Putting our own "oxygen mask" on first is critical for our own survival - nail appointments, hair appointments, etc. You get the idea. This is not about being "perfect" and having a list that you want to see! Once you feel you have a complete list, separate those things that you absolutely must do from those you can let go of. It is a very eye-opening exercise.
(2) List appointments on your calendar. This could be on your computer or in a physical day planner. Do what works for you. Make appointments for everything on your "Must Do List," such as paying bills (this could be a 30 minute appointment). Perhaps housework could be broken up into bite-sized time frames to make it more manageable for you, such as 30 minutes one evening to clean bathrooms, 30 minutes to clean the kitchen, etc. Plan ahead for meals - batch cook on Sunday so you have meals for the week.
(3) Make yourself a PRIORITY. Be sure to put some "Joanne Time" on your calendar just like you are doing for all other things on your "Must Do List." It is important to carve out time for ourselves; all too often, there is no time left and resentment can set in. For example, if you typically go to bed at 10 p.m., make an appointment for 9 p.m. to unwind and unplug. Reflect on your day and feel grateful for all that you have going well for you in your life. Going to bed feeling happy and calm will help with your sleep. When we wake up feeling rested, the day seems to go much better. Plus, sleep is vitally important for our health.
Lastly, remember that Rome wasn't built in a day. It takes time to implement new habits. I encourage you to stick with it. You are worth it.
Is there research that links a higher stress level with social media? Today, everyone can see what the Joneses are doing, and I feel like this affects the levels of stress that many women face – they feel that they need to strive to be perfect because others are ‘watching.’ ~ Meghan (NY)
Hi Meghan, I haven't looked for research on this, but my philosophy is to create an environment that is supportive and makes us feel happy and excited about life, instead of the opposite. The news is a classic example of the latter. It's a choice to watch it and get drawn into all the negativity. Social media can have the same effect. I rarely watch the news, and I skip over anything that does not please me on social media because I enjoy being happy, instead of worried about the things I cannot change.
I love your question because it presents an opportunity to examine why we feel we have to keep up with the Joneses. When we are confident and living our own truth and standing in our own personal power, we don't feel any pressure or need to be like others. I used to worry about this so much years ago. I don't anymore, and it is very liberating.
This may seem like a simple answer to your question, but please don't underestimate it. Give it a try. I hope it will help you.
