How do you deal with stress? In our busy lives, how do you manage your time?

Alopecia Areata isn’t caused by stress, but it can be stressful. We asked the Team Behind the Scenes here at AAAF (aka our amazing Committee volunteers) how they tackle stress and time management.

 

Chel – AAAF President

I am a list-er. I make lists for everything! Not only does it clear my head of remembering all the things I have to do, but it’s so satisfying when I get to cross things off (as nerdy as that sounds). I also try to set small achievable goals every day to make big tasks seem approachable. Most importantly, I try to set aside time in the day for some fresh air and exercise. Whether that’s just a quick walk around the block or a trip to the beach, it helps with managing my stress by giving my brain and body a chance to recharge.

Greg – WA Branch Manager

For me, I do tend to stress a lot, and from a fairly early age, I’ve taken on plenty of responsibility.  I like to take time out and relax, but find it difficult to do so if the rest of my life isn’t organised.  So I set myself goals for each week and targets for each day.  My work life can be chaotic and there’s often the issue of the day to deal with.  As a project manager,  I try to deal with the mini-crises, so my team can be productive.  Lucky I enjoy problem-solving.

Exercise is really important too.  I cycle to and from work nearly every day and play hockey on Saturdays.  I found when we first started a family, I got very unfit as I couldn’t find the time.  This affected my overall fitness and I started to get unhealthy on the inside.  I got to a point where I needed to make it a priority, not something to fit in now and then.  I’m not a fitness fanatic, but I do make sure I do a reasonable amount of exercise every day and this helps me cope better with everything else.

 

Sarah – NSW Branch Manager

I tend to take on a lot of my clients’ anxious energy so I need to do a bit to stay sane. I exercise every morning to keep the head clear and release the endorphins. I am super conscious of my diet and how certain foods will impact me mentally.  I get regular massages and have a Kinesiologist and Spiritual healer to help clear hectic energy and stress. I also bought a beautiful Labrador a year ago – They are incredible for reducing stress!

Jessica – TAS Branch Manager

I tend to get overwhelmed quite easily due to my anxiety but have found ways to manage it quite effectively through a few different strategies.

I am a list person when beneficial. This can be through writing myself lists whilst at work to ensure I maximize my time and get the important stuff out of the way. I also use my calendar on my phone to set alarms for the important things, whether that be appointments, commitments or just as a reminder to ensure I stay on top of everything.

As I work with children, I am quite actively daily anyway but I play netball one night a week to help with physical activity. Music is my most used “go to” if feeling stressed. And when possible I go to the beach, often one particular beach, where any stress just seems to wash away with the waves.

 

Bianca – Support Ambassador

I also manage a fair bit of emotional strain and people are my career so, as Sarah mentioned, self care is vital and has become my expertise.

Planning and diarising is vital for me. I have peace of mind that nothing is overlooked or forgotten. My mind is at rest that everything is written down and I don’t have a million tabs open in my brain constantly and everything is documented. I am reasonable with the amount I can achieve each day. My rule of thumb is, I can commit to 2 things a day and no more than 3 at a push. Anything over that and I say NO!

I am mindful of my health and a clear mind when I eat and I exercise once a day and that will always include a brisk walk with my dog who also helps me see the beauty in the simple things.

I get up at 5am daily and I spend 30 minutes in meditation and I do the same before I go to sleep at night. I turn my phone to aeroplane mode an hour before bed. I switch off from the world week before I hit the pillow.

Sabine – General Committee

I’m a list person too and enjoy crossing things off as I complete them. If it’s a job I don’t enjoy, I reward myself with something small, such as a coffee or sending a message to a friend. My major form of stress relief is dancing – it’s good for fitness, memory and a laugh. I also save like mad so I can go on a holiday once a year for at least 10 days. There’s nothing like getting away to recharge the batteries.

Liz – SA Branch Manager

I aim to have a not-too-long to-do list so I use my phone calendar for entering a deadline for each thing I have to do.  If I haven’t completed it by the time/date I have it in the calendar I give myself an extra couple of days to complete.

I take time out for myself with regular Beauty appointments, having different massages including Indian Head/neck/shoulder & Kinesiology. I read, knit or sew for relaxation.

I don’t have Social Media on my phone so I am not constantly checking it.  I only have Social Media on my iPad which I don’t carry around with me at all times. Music has also helps me de-stress.

 

Judy – QLD Branch Manager

I used to stress majorly if I didn’t get everything on my to-do list completed daily. After losing a close family member, I realised that there is more to life and stress should not be a part of that.

I don’t do lists, my work day is very fragmented and I just have to do what I can to complete the tasks required for that day. This can change minute by minute and is why lists don’t work for me.

In my personal life, I have an idea of what I’d like to achieve each day but if I don’t then there is always tomorrow. I do try to exercise most days and always go to Parkrun on a Saturday morning. Coffee with friends on the weekend after a walk and spending time with my granddaughters makes me happy.

 

Vesna – General Committee

During my job as an Executive Assistant I managed stress levels with to-do lists and networked with peers in the organisation to decrease stress levels, but that has been thrown out the window now!

I have stressed getting my ever growing to do list done (now 3 A4 pages long!!) but I take one task, break it up into something achievable and not something doomed to fail before I begin.  This way the task keeps me engaged and determined to finish it.

My stress management is a walk down the street with the kids going to a cafe and seeing them smile.  This makes my stress seem not so important and I tell myself constantly that my to-do list can wait, watching my children grow and be happy souls can’t wait.
Making yourself happy puts you in a better mood to move forward with whatever is on hand.

Georgia – Secretary

To me, the most important part of stress management is identifying the source. Then you can find a solution, rather than getting trapped inside my head.

Am I overthinking things because I don’t feel sure about them? Ask some clarifying questions and remove the confusion. Am I being a perfectionist? Seek constructive advice for where to focus your efforts.

When I feel stress setting in, it’s important not to get stuck in a spiral. Reset by accomplishing a quick and easy task. Put some things away or clean something to feel like you’re in control of your surroundings. Do some yoga or go for a walk. Move on to something else and make a note to come back to the difficult task with fresh eyes and a clear head.

It’s also important to make sure you put time into things that are just for you. I do competitive fencing and train several times a week. As well as the physical health benefits of exercise, it gets me out of my head and has an amazing social aspect.

 

 

How do you keep on top of stress? What do you do to manage your time? Let us know in the comments!