De-Frazzle: Time Management

A common feeling among "the frazzled” is that there just is NOT ENOUGH TIME. When retailers start selling time,  I want to be first in line to buy some.  Science has now proven that everyone has exactly the same amount of time.  What are some ways we can achieve the feeling that we actually have enough time?

We prioritize all the time. Whatever we CHOOSE to spend time on is our highest priority.  So, it helps to look at how we might be spending our time. It can be revealing to keep track of how you spend your time for an entire week—or just a few days.  Include everything, like personal grooming time, cooking, cleaning, eating, watching TV, working, talking on the phone, entertainment, chores,  email, internet, etc. 

Sometimes, we do things simply because we’ve always done those things, whether they really need to be done or not. Over time, our priorities can change. Things like keeping the house spotlessly clean or washing the car every week may become less important and we can spend less time doing them. Often, we ”SHOULD all over ourselves” doing things because we think we should do them.  Some de-frazzle-action might come from re-allocating some of that time to other, more important things. 

STOP SHOULDING ALL OVER YOURSELF!!!!!!!!

Make Two To-Do Lists
Here's another way to deal with time management....

Make 2 To-Do Lists. Start with a list of all the things you want to get done today, then look at what things are actually achievable today and move all the other items to a second list - and call it God’s list. Moving them off your list will make it easier to not worry about them.  And, some of the items on God’s list just might take care of themselves.

Writing Exercise. List the 3 things that occupy most of your time. Then list the 3 most important things (people, things, events, etc.) in your life.  Now, compare the two lists and see how they correspond. Write about what you can re-prioritize so that you spend more time focusing on what’s most important to you.

Have fun!  If you’re very serious about all the work you have to do, make sure you schedule in time to have fun.  Spending time doing what you love is one of the best ways to DE-FRAZZLE.

Time Management can be a powerful way to begin to de-frazzle!  It helps to De-Frazzle the mind , emotions and body and keeps you cool!

Better Time Management De-Frazzle-Action results in:

• Feeling like you're in Control
• Diminished feelings of over-whelm
• More time for relaxation & fun

Go Back to De-Frazzle Page  

Humor Therapy

I recognized the need for humor therapy in my life after my first diagnosis in 1997 and I've been using it ever since.  These are the advantages that I know of:

• Makes me LAUGH or at least SMILE, releasing endorphins - nature's own feel-good chemicals
• Makes me FEEL GOOD
• Induces relaxation
• Gives me something to think about and/or talk about that makes me laugh again
• Reduces anxiety and stressed-out feelings
• Lightens depression/sadness
• Provides a distraction

Physiological Benefits of Laughter

• Lowers blood pressure
• Boosts immune system
• Induces Relaxation Response
• Exercises abdominal muscles
• Eases anxiety & depression
• Eases insomnia & asthma

How do I "practice" humor therapy?

• TIVO/record sitcoms like The Big Bang Theory (current favorite), Seinfeld, Friends, Conan, Will & Grace, How I Met Your Mother, That Seventies Show, etc. and watch at least one episode before going to bed every night - and occasionally at other times as needed.

• I watch movies that I know will make me laugh, like Jim Carrey's Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty and Ace Ventura movies; Austin Powers;  world disaster movies

• I love to play with little kids.  Here is one of my favorite little guys. Their eyes seem to look right through me and their smiles are beautiful simplicity.  Their smiles and laughter and their HUGS are great feel-good therapy for me.

• Trying not to take myself too seriously, I wear wild-colored socks that don't match, big dangly earrings, funny hats, big flowers and I even wore a skirt to teach yoga one day

• Playing games with people like Robin who knows exactly what game (her achilles heel) I can kick her butt in

I'm sure there are many other ways to practice humor therapy, but I consider it an essential element of my overall healing program.

Here is a link to a website that has some evidence of the effectiveness of humor therapy on HEALTH, saying laughter is the best medicine.  If you want the science, check it out.  There are also many other good topics on this site.

Laughter-from helpguide.org

Any other ideas on humor therapy?  I'd like to hear yours.

Have a JOLLY day.