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Practical tips to regain control of your life | |||||||||
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| By Ng Kiak Peng, Librarian, National Library Board (NLB) The hectic pace of modern life, coupled with personal and work stress, puts a strain on the mental and physical well-being of even those who are resilient. If you find yourself experiencing more than the occasional "Monday blues" or feel that the drudgery of daily life is getting to you, read The Feel Good Factory on Beating the Blues for short and easy-to-apply practical tips to regain control of your life and beat the blues! Here are four tips: 1. Write it down, make it better "When you're upset, Rant - pour it all out just as it comes to you. Finished? Now read it over and Evaluate what you've written. Try to bring some objectivity. Look for clues as to what is really upsetting you. Spot patterns of negative thinking - are you being a victim? Are you defensive? Finally Decide on a pattern of action." (page 14) Putting your thoughts down on paper will allow you to review all that is troubling you from an objective perspective. This will help you in finding solutions. 2. A pleasure a day… "When we do things we love, we forget ourselves, lose track of time and dismal thoughts take a back seat. Doing just one thing that's fun or that gives you that warm glow of achievement will make you feel better. In fact, even planning to do something you enjoy can cause a mini buzz." (page 21) You may not realise it, but depriving yourself of activities you enjoy leaves you with less energy and motivation to do the "essential but boring" stuff. 3. Create a sanctuary "Creating a place where you can go that is uniquely yours, where you have chosen what you look at, what you feel, hear and smell will prove invaluable in your battle against stress. A room is ideal, a cupboard will do, a corner of a room - just one armchair will be enough." (page 103)
Having a place where you can retreat to, where you can do whatever you like, will help you deal with stress and achieve peace on a daily basis. 4. The time of your life "Check emails three times a day and limit how long you spend replying. Morning, lunch and before you leave. That's it. Keeping to this means your working day isn't frittered away in pointless emailing." (page 145) With today's technology, there is no excuse not to be available. Thus, it is important to have a strategy to avoid technology burnout. Otherwise, constant emailing interrupts your daily work and reduces productivity, which will lead to even more stress. The Feel Good Factory on Beating the Blues: Life-healing, mind-mending, soul soothing ideas to heal a troubled mindAuthor: Elizabeth Wilson Publisher: Oxford : Feel Good Factory/Infinite Ideas, 2010 Call Number: English 616.852706 WIL -[HEA] The extracts are taken from the book, which is available in NLB public libraries. Availability of the book title can be checked via NLB's online catalogue at www.pl.sg | |||||||||
