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Today's jam packed lifestyle is filled with circumstances both large & small that are stressed inducing. We often feel that we are doing more but are less fulfilled. I think that is because the one thing we are lacking is time. Time for ourselves. Time to rejuvenate. Time to "just be".

Like many other people I commute an hour to & from work five days a week. Unfortunately, with circumstances as they are I am unable to find a job that's closer to home that adequately allows me to pay the bills. To reduce the stress of finances I have to commute. I have never enjoyed driving & rush hour traffic is more of a chore than relaxation. But I have found a few ways to improve it. For instance I chose to take a toll road. Not only does it cut my time by being a direct route but there are fewer drivers on it. It is also a more scenic drive and I feel more connected to nature when passing by trees, open spaces of farm land & skyline. Its very soothing allowing me to sort through my thoughts so I am more prepared for my day when I get to work & able to let go of work when I return home.

Letting go is a big part of my stress reduction. At the office there is a lot of activity & no shortage of tasks or the pressure to get them done. I find that taking the time to breathe allows me to focus on the task at hand rather than boggling my mind with all that I have to do. This way when I complete each task I feel a sense of satisfaction as well as the energy to move onto the next.

I also firmly believe in taking a lunch break. Even if its just a short one, getting away from desk, going for a walk, getting a bite to eat re-charges my batteries far better than feeling strapped to my chair for hours. Now don't mistake me. I do not believe in wasting time. But planning my time wisely, allowing for a break allows me to be more efficient. At the end of the day I feel better about myself & my job.

Naturally there is more to my life than work but not much left over time. I still have to clean the house, cook meals, pay bills & all the other necessities. I have no children & am divorced but I do have two animal "companions" to feed, take out, schedule appointments for & give some quality time to.

Actually my "companions" are a big part of my stress management. Ever have a big fluffy cat jump up on your desk & plop himself right in front of the computer monitor, on top of your paperwork & stretch out for a nap? Now THAT is letting go. Or how about a Labrador that keeps picking up & dropping a ball

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