Avoiding Repetitive Motion Injury

Today's advice? Maryanne says Relax, just do it!

Many of us are over-achievers, working long hours and scheduling assignments back-to-back. What do we do to keep balance in our lives? What do we do to relax and find time for us?

I am as guilty as the rest. In addition to owning Accent on Interpreting, I am a full time staff Interpreter for Tulsa Community College, teach part-time in their interpreter education program and am helping to raise three teenagers. So, yeah, time for me sometimes gets hard to find.

I am a fanatic for budgeting and time management. I do as much "right now" as I can- meaning as soon as I see something that needs doing, I try to do it - if I wait, I may forget or get too busy. This works for everything from returning business calls to doing the morning dishes. Additionally, I am a voracious list maker: if I can't do it "right now" it gets on my list. Then I get an inordinate joy out of crossing things off that list.

But none of that covers decompression. What do I do to relax?

Well, I write stories. I can't promise any of them are any good, but they are characters I care about in a world of my making where the challenges they confront actually help me keep my life in perspective, or even help me resolve issues I am facing.

I play with my nintendo ds: Sims: castaway is my current favorite. There is something about putting someone through the paces of collecting enough coconuts to survive and keep the monkeys from stealing their meager belongings that again keeps my life in perspective.

I go to Disneyland. Often. Oh, not the real one. At these prices, I can't afford the flights. I take virtual vacations, watching you tube or our own home videos of trips to the Happiest Place on Earth.

I guess you can say I escape. I take a mental health break from the here and now and go to a there and then. It makes the here and now a little more bearable, refreshes my mind and spirit, and rejuvenates my outlook.

But sometimes escape is not the answer. Then, I walk. I am trying to lose weight (mmmm, white gravy was an evil thing to discover when I moved to Tulsa!) I am not making huge progress - I think I average about a pound a week. But I am walking and averaging three miles a day. I am working toward those magic 10,000 steps!

And I spend time at the Arkansas river, reveling in the magic of God's creation as it winds it's way around my adopted hometown.

Finally, I enjoy morning coffee with any friends I can track down. A good laugh with a friend can resolve more in twenty minutes than all the stories, amusement park rides, games or strolls I use to fill my spare time.

I don't expect any of these will necessarily work for you. But do look at what lightens your load. Whether it is a chat with God or a chat with a friend, make sure you make time for it.

Your family, your clients and your own spirit will thank you.