Stress Management: The Power of a Day

I learned a valuable lesson recently. A short while ago, my mentor coach made this powerful request of me. She asked me to book 24 hours to myself within the next 30 days and to email her when I had booked this day. During this day (which she referred to as "Karen Day") I was not to do any work of any kind. It was to be 24 hours for myself and whatever I felt like doing. If I felt like sleeping in, going for a walk, watching TV, or taking a hot bath, that was exactly what I would do. I also had to monitor my "I shoulds". You know the ones: "I should be working", "I should be marketing", "I should respond to my email and voice messages".

Why did she request I schedule a "Karen Day"? Because I was trying to give to too many people both professionally and personally and the result was I ended up catching a cold, which developed into a sinus infection.

So, I was to schedule this "Karen Day". When would I have time for this? The truth is it wasn't that there wasn't enough time. It was that I felt guilty about taking this time for myself when "I should" be doing something else.

As helping professionals, we are very good at giving our time and energy to others, but we are not so good about freely giving that time to ourselves. However, the lesson I learned is that the key to being able to give to others is to take time for ourselves to rejuvenate our energy.

I finally scheduled the day on day 27 of my 30-day deadline. It was an extraordinary day! I had gone into the day with the intention of keeping my commitment to myself and doing whatever I felt like doing. It worked because afterwards I found I felt more relaxed, clear-minded, energized, and joyful.

My request of you then is to schedule your "Me Day" within the next 30 days. Here are some tips to help you:

1. Put your "Me Day" into your schedule.

2. Keep your commitment

3. Set your intention on that day

4. Let go of your "I shoulds" for the day

And most importantly, have an extraordinary day!

I can already hear your objections: "I'm too busy for that", "I don't have time for that", "This is not a good time", and on and on. The fact is, there will never be a good time and there will never be a time that isn't busy. You make a choice to put yourself first for 24 hours. Consider hiring a life and career coach to help you incorporate self care into your busy day and balance into your life without compromising your time. Working with a coach can be the difference between burnout and happiness in your career.

Karen Cross is a life and career coach and founder of Pathfinder Solutions. She specializes in personal and career transitions, self-care, creating balance, and finding greater passion in work and life.

A FREE 30 minute consult and FREE copy of her "14 Simple Strategies You Need to Know to Revitalize Your Energy" special report is available to the first 10 people who email karen@pathfindersolutions.ca with FREE Consult in the subject line. Experience the benefit of coaching first-hand and discover how it can help you achieve career happiness quickly and easily!

---

Stress Management: Are You a Worrier or a Warrior?

Do you attack problems and solve them or do you... Read More

7 Unique Stress Relievers

Too much driving, too much shopping, too much rushing around,... Read More

Alleviate Stress Without Pills!

We all have it; we live with it daily: stress.... Read More

Stress Management Shouldnt Create More Stress. 10 Ways To Reduce Unreasonable Stress and Boost Perf

We all know that stress levels in the workplace are... Read More

Stress Management: Have To Vs. Get To

File this one under the category of "watch your language."The... Read More

Permission to Play

At what age does the benefit of play cease? Child... Read More

Stress Management and Mastery: Breakdown or Breakthrough?

Q: "My career, though very very stressful, is one that... Read More

Easy Elimination Of Worry & Stress!

It is very true that, unfortunately, many people look to... Read More

Mindfulness and Laughter: Gaining Clarity While Giggling

Life is funny.Throughout the day, there are plenty of humorous... Read More

Stress Management: 9 Universal Laws for Problem Solving

1. The Law of GiftsRichard Bach, author of "Illusions" says... Read More

Coping With Stress

When something happens in our lives, we automatically assess the... Read More

Nipping Stress In the Bud: The Principles of Stress Relief

Stress is normal. Stress is OK. Stress is the same... Read More

Sometimes C.O.P.I.N.G Is All We Can Do

We strive for excellence in our lives, going at full... Read More

Stress Management: How to Use the Power of Focus

Here's a fun little experiment:Take a few seconds and look... Read More

Overwhelm: Love It or Leave It!

Amazing thing, overwhelm!You don't usually see it coming. It just... Read More

Dont Be a Worry Wort!

Everyone worries. As bothersome as it is, worry isn't all... Read More

Reduce Stress and Increase Energy with Your Point of View!

Defending your point of view can use up a lot... Read More

3 Kinds of Workplace Stress

Workers across America will tell you that stresslevels are increasing.... Read More

5 Steps to Stress Relief

Take a moment to think about the week that just... Read More

Self Indulgence: It Isn?t Just About Chocolate

It's no secret that we women, by virtue of our... Read More

Beyond the Stress of Success - Access Your Thriving Zone

Genuine enthusiasm...real feeling of accomplishment...sense of satisfaction and fun. Welcome... Read More

Dealing with Workplace Stress

One of the hardest forms of stress to avoid is... Read More

One Way to Beat Stress: Arrive Early!

I'm so excited that I have discovered this secret today.... Read More

20 Ways to Shift Worry Into Attractive Energy

Worry, big or small blocks positive vibrations from entering your... Read More

Stress Management: 5 More Things to Clean Out of Your Mental Closet

ResentmentsA wise friend once said that holding onto resentments is... Read More

Taming September: Avoiding Fall Frenzy

When September rolls around, does it generally hit you like... Read More

The Top 10 Steps to DeStress

Do you feel tense and anxious at work? Do your... Read More

[Emotional Health] Are You Feeling In Control?

When it is all said and done, do you feel... Read More

Top Ten Ways to Reduce Your Stress at Home

Top Ten Ways to Reduce Your Stress at Home1. Create... Read More

Stress May Cost Businesses Millions, But the Costs to the Sufferer are Far Worse

Governements and businesses have regularly highlighted the costs of stress... Read More

The Underlying Cause of Nervous Breakdowns

Life can offer us many challenges having to do with... Read More

Stress Relief - An Industry For Self Inflicted Stress

Stress ReliefStress is a big business in Western society. We... Read More

Discover The Wisdom of Letting Go

When a great Zen Master returned to his country after... Read More