Lizzie's Wellbeing

Recently I became rather stressed by all the jobs I had to do, and my mother told me to choose one task and put a lid on the others until I'd finished the first. I said I was trying to, but I felt as if I was sitting on a suitcase which would not shut!

When I found out that the theme of this edition was Health and Wellbeing, I started thinking about what that meant, and how I manage my own wellbeing.

One of the main aspects of staying healthy for me is to think positively and try to take each day at a time, rather than thinking about everything I have to do in one week at the same time. I am still learning how to do this and sometimes it is easier said than done! Since becoming a working adult, rather than a student, it has become clear that life as a child/student was in some ways easier as the timetable was structured for me and there were clearer boundaries between work and play.

I go out to work as a Learning Support Assistant three afternoons a week, which I really enjoy; as it takes me away from my computer and I love being with the children. When I get home from work, I then feel more energised to continue with the home based tasks.

I find that when I am at home, there is always work for me to be getting on with; helping send family emails, planning shopping lists, cooking, thinking of ideas for art and crafts for the workshops I run, making birthday cards and photo editing to name just a few! I enjoy them all however sometimes I feel that I have too many things to do in not enough time, so I have recently started making a list of my jobs and deciding when they will best fit into my week. I then feel less stressed and have a greater sense of satisfaction when I have finished each task in its slot!

I have also found that it is better to do a task with a positive frame of mind, and while doing a job not to think of all the others on the list! This enables me to fully focus and enjoy each activity.

When I was a child at school, I would come home and then after homework would have free time. As an adult I often find myself working at jobs on my computer all day, right up until supper time and sometimes continue until bedtime too! I'm now trying to give myself a school-like timetable which enables me to take proper rest and ‘play' times and not work for longer than an hour in one go. I also try to keep weekends for alternative activities to the ones I do during the week so that it feels different.

In my break times at home, I try to be outside as much as possible and enjoy watching all our animals relaxing and living their own lives! I often think it looks good being a dog or cat and being able to sleep as much as you like! They also show us how to live in the moment and not worry about plans…Unless you're Holly our beagle who does seem to plan when to open the fridge with her nose!

My tips for Wellbeing:

• Think positively
• Only think of the job you are doing
• Make a list of jobs if they are making you stressed
• Take regular break times in the day and change your thoughts to enjoyment.

Lizzie Baily lizzie@wellspringwestsussex.org.uk