THE NEWEST ADDICTION - BUSYNESS

- I must keep my cell phone with me and on at all times.
- I continually receive updates, emails, text messages and feel uneasy if I don’t.
- I feel nervous or panic when I forget my cell phone.
- I feel nervous if I am not constantly stimulated by an electronic device (cell phone, i-pad, facebook, instagram, twitter, etc.). 
- I must always have the latest and greatest cell phone, i-pad, etc.
- I talk really fast to others, often interrupt them or finish their sentences.
- I have a difficult time listening to others feedback. I am too occupied of what I am going to say.
- I fill my day with many activities- Running around from sun up to sun down.
- I take very few breaks if any throughout my day.
- I rarely sit down for lunch to relax and eat. I rarely eat breakfast or lunch.
- I must always move at a fast pace.
- I expect others to move at a very fast pace and become irritated if they don’t comply with my expectations.
- If I get behind a slow driver and can’t pass, road rage sets in.
- I often find myself texting and driving or texting and walking.
- No matter what I am doing, I must always be doing 2-3 things at once.
- I do not feel normal unless I am constantly stimulated by electronics, conversation, activities, to keep the adrenaline up. 
- I have difficulty relaxing.
- I have difficulty falling asleep.
- My family rarely shares a meal together- we are always on the go.
- There are no rules at the dinner table such as no cell phones etc.
- My family does not have a designated quiet time for parents, kids, etc.

STRESS MANAGEMENT

• Self-Care is a must- Eat healthy meals, get adequate sleep, and balance activities with rest.
  - Adopt a relaxation exercise of your choice- Yoga, meditation, prayer, deep breathing, regular rest periods.
  - Schedule breaks throughout day- if you have to- set your alarm on your phone. Take at least (2) 15 min breaks. 
  - Schedule short vacations every few months (a long weekend) as oppose to only one vacation per year.
  - Have an accountability partner (someone you must answer to for your success at stress management).
  - Get regular daily exercise (30-40 min of cardio). Walking is great!
  - Limit caffeine intake to one cup of coffee per day.
  - Avoid intake of too much sugar(soda).  Balance proteins, fats and carbs-Keeps blood sugar stable. 
  - Avoid people who are often full of drama.
  - Set boundaries with those who often cause you stress.
  - Balance your week with time for self, time for your spouse and time with children.
  - Work out a plan of balance for domestic responsibilities between you and your spouse.
  - If you find yourself working all the time with little to no play time, you will eventually burn out.
  - Schedule weekly and/or monthly pampered activities (message, mani, pedi, etc.) any activity that helps you feel relaxed. 
  - Regularly get together with friends- Have fun. Laughter is the best medicine!!
  - Designate time- period every day to completely “unplug” from everything and everyone (cell phone, TV, i-pad).
  - Decide what helps you feel relaxed and at peace and commit to doing it every day (pray, meditate, yoga, etc.).
  - Regularly do fun things- watch funny movie, laugh with friends, watch children play.
  - Soak in a tub -light candles- play soft relaxing music.
  - Learn to say the healthiest boundary word “NO!”
  - Learn the difference between self-care and selfishness. Embrace joy and peace. Avoid feeling guilty when you're taking care of yourself. 
  - Have realistic expectations of yourself and others.
• LEARN TO STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES!!