Relax, Release...

I was recently told that I am a workaholic who has to learn to take time to relax. Sure, I work a lot, but that is because I have so much to do. If I don't keep up, it will pile up. Then where will I be?

In light of my mother's recent passing, I decided to take some time to really rethink my life's habits and choices. I really do want to be around to see my children's children. About a month or so ago, I started having trouble with digesting my food. I often find myself with horrible stomach pains and cramping or I'd not be able to keep my food down. It wasn't until I rushed to the ER to be with my mother that I realized that it was stress that was causing my digestive problems. Now when I get into stressful situations, the first thing I notice is that my stomach gets all tied up into knots and gets all messed up. I realize that by the time our bodies manifest effects of stress and whatnot, damage has gone on for quite some time. I don't even want to think about what my often marathon-long periods of stressful situations have been doing to my body.

What I do know is that I must do so much better. If for no other reason, I have two beautiful little girls who love me dearly and deserve a mommy who is in good health for as many years as possible. Yeah, I HAVE to do better.

So, I guess I need to come up with a game plan. How do I become less of a workaholic? I honestly have no idea of how to go about cutting back on the hours and stress. At this moment, I'm thinking that I should probably impose limits upon myself. Maybe allocate a certain number of hours each day for work and then disengage at the end of that period whether I am finished with it all or not. That will make me prioritize. I was also thinking that I need to find some ways to de-stress and relax. Well, that is as far as I have gotten in my process. Anyone else have ideas to help me with this?