10 Signs That You're Stressed and Need to Chill

"Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" is an awesome movie. The film is based on a children's book of the same title written by Judith Viorst. The characters in this movie have the ultimate in terrible days. Starts bad. Migrates to worse, then completely awful. Being a Disney movie, it's tragic yet colorful and everything works out good in the end. It's a great movie to watch when in one of those "had-a-bad-day-let's-wear-yoga-pants-order-pizza-turn-our-smartphones-off-and-have-a-blast" moods. Though exceptional, what happens in this movie isn't unusual. Okay, so it's hard to imagine someone's luck as being quite that bad. Happens, though.

I don't know anyone who can say that he or she has a perfect life. Because let's face it. Life isn't always perfect. It can be amazing and wonderful and raw and impossible all at the same time. Some of us are in denial of just how stressed we are because we want to maintain a facade to keep things balanced for those who depend on us. Some of us say we aren't stressed because explaining the truth behind the loaded question "hey, are you okay" would cause the floodgates to open. And some of us know just how stressed we are but refuse to do anything about it because we're either stubborn or the thought of progressive change, e.g., the unknown, scares us.

Nothing quite like a quirky Top 10 list to kick off the new blog. This post is dedicated to all those who are stressed and in need of a smile...and a gentle push to be good to yourself and those around you. Remember, in the middle of chaos, seek balance, rest, relax and above all, have faith and hope for better days ahead. 

10 Signs That You're Stressed and Need to Chill

1. Your task list is 10 pages long. Single spaced. Tiny print.
2. Someone smiles and says, "Hey, happy Tuesday, man!". You throw him the stink eye and a whopping "WHAT?!?!". (And if the mood is just right, you follow that with a dramatic door slam)
3. No line of cosmetics in the world has produced concealer thick enough to hide the deep, dark circles that have taken up residence under your bloodshot eyes.
4. You require a 24/7 IV drip of a bold blend to make it through the day.
5. With every incoming call, you perform acrobatic feats to answer it first so no one thinks you're slacking.
6. You've developed a consistent pain in your neck and back from hours upon hours of sitting bent out of shape.
7. Towards the end of the work day, you're slurring your words and forgetting important things like where you parked your car, your kids' names and if you're getting married this weekend or next weekend.
8. Your dog becomes self-sufficient like the neighbor cat. He takes himself for a walk. Feeds himself and finds water sources other than the toilet. He socializes with the neighborhood crew. Even says hi in a language you understand. And though you're happy about his independence, you worry that Golden Retriever might break his heart. Either way, too exhausted to put too much thought into it.
9. Your favorite pizza place knows your dinner preferences and delivers your order on the usual night at the perfect time without you having to call it in. Sometimes they sneak in a cleverly-disguised brewski to help after a long day.
10. You. Never. Sleep. Evaaaar.