Three rowdy & strongwilled (but greatly beloved) boys & a recently single mum living just on the edge of the poverty level; the awful reality of ENTROPY (broken car, clothes dryer, toilet and furnace all in one month!)50 hour work weeks at a job that pays the bills but stifles me creativly....hmmm, recipe for burnout? Yup! Something I can do to change my overall situation, or get rid of the source of my stresses? Not much just now...I have to keep on keepin on!

Remedies I use:

1)Cry--as often as you think you need to, and scream once in awhile too!...it's like a river washing out the stress, nice release. No point in acting like nothing's wrong, but be careful to view this as something you're walking through, not staying stuck in--avoid the 'victim'or 'martyr' mentality during crying jags!.

2)Joy breaks!--Joy is different than happiness...happiness is based on circumstances, joy is a fruit in our spirits that we can take a bit of whenever we need it. Take time to enJOY something simple in the middle of all the chaos.

3)Music(or something else you are passionate about): helpful with either step 1 or 2...I have crying, screaming, rejoicing, and calming music selections taped and handy for times alone in the car, or breaks at work...

4)Take care of your body--practical stuff...make sure you get the right amount of sleep (not too much OR to little) remember to eat-good food, not just junk. Exercise-somthing simple...don't make exercising so complicated that it turns into another stressor!! Just a nice 20 minute walk that gets your heart rate up a bit will give you a nice little endorphin lift!

5)Don't be afraid to ask for help, advice, hugs or fogiveness!

Hmmm, that's probably enough for now...but a start anyway, and some basic things that keep me going!! Smiles all...:-)