Non-negotiables to keep stress at bay

Photo by Keenan Constance on Unsplash

Especially now, less than two weeks to Christmas, everything is accelerating. Keeping your sanity and stress at bay might seem impossible, as it is the end of the year.

To not go crazy, you need to have some non-negotiables in place. And this, at best, before you crush down.

• Block your free time slots in your calendar to keep last-minute meetings - which, most of the time, are other people’s agenda - out of your day.

• Don’t take on anything new that is not:

  • needed for your job or personally;

  • so urgent it can’t wait, AND no one else can take charge of it.

• Say NO or, at least, say that:

  • You will think about it - and wait at least one day before replying;

  • You might say yes but can’t do whatever is asked before a minimum of 1 day or week → you will see how easily people find solutions that don’t include you.

• Set an end-of-day time when you stop working, and no email checking is allowed.

• Set a time to bed early enough to have at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep.

Even if you might think that you don’t have the time to set all these non-negotiables, you will soon see that not only will you gain time in your day, but you also have more energy throughout the day - thank you 7 to 8 hours of sleep - and stress will be at low levels.

Bonus tip

If you didn’t have the time to do your Christmas shopping yet, keep a note on your phone and add ideas for every person you want to buy a gift.

You’ll already have some ideas at the end of the week and get more inspiration with another article and video before the weekend for the best Christmas shopping experience.