Switching off after work.

Put something between your home & your workplace. e.g., go to the gym, swimming, cinema, even the pub (but not with your colleagues).
I used to work in a job I hated on the other side of the city, the 1 to 2 hour commute home gave me time to let off some steam before I got home.

An odd one which I thought was peculiar to myself until I heard it recommended on a Radio show for people who are having difficulty sleeping.

Make a short note or list of the issues you are thinking about. Simply writing them down on paper seems to remove them from your head for a while

Brendan

Hi Guys,

Thanks a mill for all your suggestions. I taken most of them (not the kids one ) on board and have found it helpful.
Cheers,
Evanne

Gym does it for me - three to four times per week, fantastic for the head and happens to be good for the body too ! When i see programmes like the one on RTE at 9.30 last night about the kids in Crumlin hospital it makes me realise that I really, really have no worries - it puts a lot of things in perspective imo.

Just to add something to Brendan'd comment about making a note to get back to sleep:

1. I know solicitors who keep a dictaphone beside the bed, precisely for this purpose. Easier than writing.

2. The process has a wider application; I read a book some time ago; can't remember the name of it. It had a great suggestion for people who are generally inclined to worry: each time you think of something worrying, write a little note. Make an appointment with yourself for 15 or 20 minutes each week at a set time; at the appointed time, take out your "worry list" and worry as hard as you can for a few minutes; then leave aside your worries until next week.

MOB said:

1. I know solicitors who keep a dictaphone beside the bed, precisely for this purpose. Easier than writing.

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Yeah - those quills could take your eye out when you're half asleep!

Do tomorrow's "To do list" tonight (5pm, if suits)

That way if it's going to be done tomorrow it is easier to switch off tonight

It doesn't have to be a paper list
I use the phone calender (nokia 6230) for meetings/things to do all day the next day
It also is madness not to have a "to do list" everyday, so why not do it the day before
It'll give you more time to review your deadline worries

stuart@buyingtolet.ie

I have to say that the TODO list making has never really helped me and I've been trying it for years...

I work for myself, every client has my mobile number and I work from home sometimes also, so I can find it hard to ever switch off
Somtimes when I have, soneone else "switches" me back on

That is why I do a list for the next day to know what I am going to try and get through and forget about it until the phone reminds me (or computer as both are synched)

ClubMan said:

I have to say that the TODO list making has never really helped me and I've been trying it for years...

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For getting things done or relieving stress or relaxing
Have you tried doing the list before finishing, not necessarily as a planner but as a close to the day

BTW, if you have been trying it for years then it is working, otherwise you would have stopped

stuart@buyingtolet.ie

stuart said:

For getting things done or relieving stress or relaxing

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Bit of both. I suspect that I'm simply not applying myself to it properly though.

BTW, if you have been trying it for years then it is working, otherwise you would have stopped

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Not really - I do up one list and when it gets too long or I get fed up with it I start another one! I'm a bit of a list addict!