So, you have an important presentation to prep for, a program at your child’s school to attend and you still need to get groceries, do your banking, take the dog to the vet and try to make that Zumba class that you signed up for but rarely actually make it. Scenarios like this can lead to feelings of overwhelming stress and feelings of inadequacy. In the midst of this chaos, do you ever notice other women that seem to be able to juggle it all without missing a beat? There are those people out there that seem to thrive on this non-stop and constantly busy lifestyle but what about those of us that need to decompress? What about needing down time or a time out to catch your breath? A car ride is actually my salvation, alone time when I can sort out my thoughts. No radio, no phone calls – just quiet time that I can think clearly without interruption. Our family is blended, with me and my husband having demanding careers, five kids with all of their activities, and two dogs. We’ve gotten comments over the years that we were like the “Brady Bunch minus one”, but I never saw an episode with them having to deal with visitation schedules.

We all know that stress can cause health problems such as heart disease, obesity, depression and problems with digestive, immune, nervous and cardiovascular systems. Just as important, it can also lead to problems sleeping, eating disorders and anxiety/psychological conditions. Imagine the scare we got when my husband thought he was having a heart attack, but it turned out to be chest pains brought on by anxiety! Managing your stress can be one of the hardest jobs you’ve ever tackled, but the payoffs can change your quality of life. There is a way that you can handle everything life is dishing out! Here are some simple things that you can do in your everyday life to help your overall well-being .

10 steps to simplifying your life:

1. Reduce your debt – financial worries can be a drain on your energy and a major stressor. Make a payment plan on your larger debts, possibly choose to pay a certain amount over the monthly payment to begin chipping away at the debt itself. Make a budget that you can stick to regarding spending money for the week. Find ways to have fun that don’t involve spending money. We pay extra on our mortgage each month and have enjoyed cooking out more at home this summer instead of going out.

2. Try online banking – manage your finances online and schedule automatic payments without needing to write out checks, balance your checkbook, lick stamps and visit the post office. This can save several hours of your time and give you increased visibility and control over your bank accounts.

3. Disconnect – turn off your cell phone when you don’t want to be interrupted. Screen calls and use your voicemail feature to your advantage. Arrange a place in your home where you can “park” your electronics when you arrive home in the evenings. Ours is located on the dresser in the bedroom and the iPhones stay there and charge during our “at home” hours.

4. Delegate chores – at home and at the office. Don’t try to do it all, ask for help! The kids can help mowing the lawn, doing the dishes and feeding the dogs, but you might want to draw the line at your husband doing the laundry….

5. Let go of the myth of perfection – not everything you do has to be perfect. Trying to achieve this with every task is a mental and physical drain. Put forth your best effort but know it is ok to leave some things undone occasionally. Most days I can finish making the bed, but I have no excuse for that overgrown bush in my front yard.

6. Learn to say “no” – there are simply times when you have too much going on to stay productive.Gradually get out of commitments that are not beneficial to you and leave yourself some room for down time and fun!

7. Move, move, move – Be active each day, either by walking, hiking, playing a sport, running, doing yoga or going to a gym. Just make sure it’s something that you have fun doing. I enjoy pilates at my local gym.

8. Find an activity that “calms” you – this can an activity that gets you moving such as exercise, housework or gardening. It also could be something lower key such as meditation, taking a nap or a bath, or reading. Any activity you like as long as it makes you feel centered and calm.

9. Declutter – this sounds like work but can actually lead to a more peaceful environment. Get rid of things that are taking of space and not needed anymore; clean out a room or closet and take a load of donated items to a charity. You don’t have to accomplish this all at once and it can also be a “calming” activity for some.

10. Be on time – or be early! Running late can cause major feelings of stress. Try to build in some buffer time when you know things might take longer than normal, such as mornings getting your kids ready for school and yourself ready for work. Leave extra time to get ready, for the commute or necessary errands.

Sometimes there are larger obstacles and you need to enlist some outside help. Consider some of these options, but be prepared to pay for the convenience:

• Hire a nanny or part-time caregiver for your children. Even a couple of hours a day taking them and picking them up from school can help save you some valuable time on the road and create more quality time with your kids.
• Hire a cleaning service. This doesn’t mean you need someone every week, but possibly set it up to have the service come every two or three weeks to handle the big chores that normally take up your weekends. This way, you'll continue to clean but are freed up from the more time-consuming tasks.
• Hire a dog walker or pet caregiver. Depending on the level of need for your pet, this could be something as simple as a walk in the afternoon before you make it home from your workday or more comprehensive care for pets that require more attention.
• Meal delivery is an option. There are companies across the country that offer ready-made meals, or the ingredients to put an entire dinner together and they deliver to your home. You can choose healthy options or tailor the menus to your needs such as low sodium, portion controlled or diabetic friendly meals.
• Laundry service. Many dry cleaners offer a drop off and delivery laundry service.

Working parents with children certainly do not corner the market when it comes to busy days and busy schedules. We all have commitments that fill our days – careers, volunteer activities, gym, book club, school activities, commuting, family obligations, etc. Tackling those situations that can cause stress with positive thoughts and constructive solutions can be a benefit to your well-being and the overall mental health of your family as well.