Something Chilled

Written on 4:28 PM by O

My good friend is in town this weekend and instead of studying tonight, I will go with her to whatever shops she pleases and later go home to pack, for I myself have a trip tomorrow. I can study on the train tomorrow.

One of the most important things I have learned since I started working last June is that a lot of people don’t know when to take a break. People work and work and in the weekends, run errands and do the things they wanted to do during the week but didn’t have enough time to. What this leaves them is tired, beaten and eventually, unhappy. How many times will you tell your friends that you can’t make it to their dinner but will send a card? It starts to get old, and pretty soon you are on your own and have no close friends to share the rough times with when they arrive, and they will. Not to mention the side effects of stress on your health and mental well being.

Everyone needs a social network of dependable, trust-worthy people be they part of your family or friends. If you haven’t done anything with friends in a while or you would like to do more, here are some suggestions for this special weekend (you decide why it’s special):

· Call a good friend or one you haven’t seen in a while and spend some time with them doing something you both like. It doesn’t have to be outside either (cooking or enjoying a meal together will work).

· Treat yourself. Treat yourself to a relaxed afternoon doing nothing or eating ice cream. You shouldn’t feel guilty for it either. There should be some time set aside regularly where you spend a little time doing nothing and how much better if you have a friend to spend that time with.

· Take a walk and clear your head. Run if you want to. A little exercise goes a long way to relieve stress. This will be a perfect time to walk the dog if you have one.

· Start a fun project (something you will not stress out about) that you have wanted to start for a long time. Maybe you’ll have that family album ready the next time your extended family comes to visit.

· Go shopping. You don’t have to buy anything. I promise I won’t tonight, but if I fail, I promise to keep the tag on for at least a week until I am sure I really want it.

You know what you enjoy doing, so just enjoy yourself and blow off some steam. You deserve it! What are you doing to relieve stress and strengthen your social support network?