Preparation and Planning Cuts Down Stress

Does it stress you out when something unexpected happens and you aren't prepared? Preparation and planning means thinking ahead to prevent things going wrong. Here are some tips to make it easier:

• Avoid surprises by consulting your calendar or daytimer at the beginning of the week to know what is coming up

• Make a list of family birthdays for the year and write them into your daytimer with a reminder one week ahead

• Send birthday cards on time by bulk buying nice cards in boxes and having a stock of stamps ready for easy mailing

• Pay bills on time by keeping them in an accordian folder and recording due dates in your daytimer

• Avoid morning panic by checking your daytimer, washing the dishes, making your lunch and choosing your clothes the night before

• When a big task needs to be done, schedule a chunk of time in your daytimer so you can get it done

• Avoid housework overwhelm by breaking it down into 15 minutes each day to tidy a room in your home

• Tackle something you are resistant to by starting it for 15 minutes, then writing out the next steps - it makes it easier to get back to

• Reduce food costs and cooking time by picking 2 or 3 recipes for the week, list the ingredients and making double quantities.

• If Christmas is overwhelming, make a list of jobs such as cards, gifts and decorating and start in November when things are calm

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