Working from home and being less stress, especially watching Fifty Shades Darker

I worked from home on Tuesday. I do it again today, which is my regular day working from home.

I enjoy working from home. It's not for everyone. For me, I am more focused and I don't have as many interruptions compared to being in the office.

I have always known that I am far more productive when I work from home. Tuesday was no exception, especially when I started my day at 06:45.

Tuesday consisted of my being on two conference calls. The second was my usual half-hour meeting with my manager.

He asked me how I was doing. Naturally, I am busy. However, my stress levels have subsided. These days, I wind up entering a zen, peaceful mode when I am focused on my tasks at home.

I also feel that a few changes have made me manage my stress better:

• Going into do-no-disturb mode on my work instant messaging app
• Blending a green drink every day and drinking it
• Eating out less
• Removing myself from annoying e-mail messages that get me worked up
• Not dealing with my insurance company's "courtesy" calls, as they irritate me
• Sleeping more
• Delegating my work rather than having the need to do it all myself

Here's hoping that my stress levels continue to subside.

The best part about Tuesday? When I was done with work, I headed out to get my DVD copy of Fifty Shades Darker. Needless to say, my stress levels are definitely reduced!

U is for under control #AtoZchallenge

I am on the quest to lower my blood pressure, reduce my stress, and eat better. It helps that I have supportive people around me.

On Tuesday, my free blood pressure monitor arrived. It is fancy. It even detects arrhythmia. The device is recommended by Hypertension Canada.

As crazy as it may seem, I enjoy taking my blood pressure. I relax and do the reading twice. So far, my blood pressure has been under control.

Trying to reduce stress is challenging. My stress is definitely work-related. I tend to put my instant messaging program in do-not-disturb mode these days. That way, folks can only contact me through e-mail. For my manager, he knows that I am online being in this status. If I could, I would log off completely. I have found that I am happier and definitely not as stressed when I take this approach.

I find that I feel obligated to respond to folks when they send me an instant message. I also get worked up when I am focused on something and I get inundated which such messages. They are a distraction. I get annoyed when folks send me an e-mail to ask me something, I respond, and then the person has the need to talk further on our instant messaging program. Ugh!

My guy is supportive. He keeps telling me that work is not important and to take it easy. I find that cuddling with him reduces my stress. Well, being with him always does.

My manager has been equally as supportive. The other day, he sent me a green drink blender recipe. Blending a green apple, celery stalks, green pepper, spinach, and cucumber helped his brother lower his blood pressure. After work on Friday, I went to the grocery store to prepare. I will give it a whirl (literally) using my fancy blender tomorrow. Here's to healthy green drinks!