• In the same way that you go off to an office or work place to concentrate on your job, make specific commitments to concentrate on your partner, family or friends. Time spent with family and friends is important for stress reduction.

• Don’t volunteer if you don’t have to, when you are over-stretched with other stuff to do. Some people are always the first to put their hand up and give of their time, and while this can be commendable it is often at the expense of their home life. If you want to volunteer, don’t do it impulsively, but after taking time to consider of all the issues, and do it on your own terms.

• Take more time to really enjoy what you are doing. This is particularly important if you habitually race through what you do at home and think of what you do at home as being an irritation to get out of the way before you get back to ‘real life’ – your work.

• Realistically there is a limit to how much you can burn the candle at both ends (even if you think you are handling it well it usually catches up with most people). Keep your fun and frolics to evenings when you don’t have to be at work – you’ll enjoy your nights out even more!

• Aim to not feel guilty about how you achieve balance between work and home. While you are bringing a better balance to your life, silence the little chatterbox in your head that makes you feel inadequate about what you are not doing. Focus on what you are doing and feel good about it.

• Do something positive to unwind and, if you are able, get away. Changing the scenery is one of the best ways to alter your behaviour patterns, which is why holidays are so valuable. If you can’t get away switch to an activity which has positive associations for you such as walking in a calming place or playing a football game. And if you still can’t do this at the very least spend some time relaxing and visualising a claming place.

These tips are taken from suzannahs new book 500 Of The Most Important Stress Busting Tips You’ll Ever Need. Click here for more information.

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