Workday routine for stress

Ahead of time: Plan 1 task per day, or 1 task + 1 meeting. I may get more done in any given day, but this is all I can count on and promise others. I know, this isn't easy, but it's a key step. Take into account any deadlines.

- Wake up naturally via light (no blackout curtains or eye mask to cover the light, no alarm clock)
- Fill up a glass of water to drink throughout the morning routine
- Take a warm bath or shower. Take my time.
- Even though I'm working from home, still get ready-- put on something that doesn't make me feel too sloppy, a little makeup, dry hair. Get properly done up if I've got a video call or in person meeting.
- Make a cup of tea or coffee and grab something to eat, set by computer. Take time to make it look pretty and welcoming, not slopped together. Make sure it's something that makes me happy-- I'll often bake little tea cakes ahead of time I can slice into. This helps associate happy things with sitting down at my computer, and isn't a routine I do otherwise.
- If not relaxed, listen to some music or watch some videos to relax while sipping tea/coffee. Remember, I've got the whole day to only do one task. I could do it in the evening worst case. There's no rush.
- Get to work. Sometimes I need to balance it with watching a video or a side distraction, sometimes I'll fully focus. No beating myself up about either choice. Just depends on stress levels and the task at hand.
- Monitor stress levels while working. Sometimes I'll push through it if I'm close to finishing, but the general rule is I don't work if I'm too stressed. Stop and do something relaxing. If being at my computer is too much, get away from the computer. Remember, I've got all day to do this-- getting too stressed out can ruin the day pointlessly when I could just take time to relax before I get to that point.
- Inevitably, I'll reach a threshhold for stress, but it's usually after I finish my one goal. If it isn't, I need to make smaller goals-- I should basically always be able to finish my goal, even if I'm in rough shape, and if I can't it's not my fault it's the size of the goal that's the problem. How big the goal can be varies depending on how healthy I am, I should never beat myself up about it.
- Remind myself that I did what I set out to do and should be proud of myself and can relax the rest of the day. Sometimes this alone is enough to get me to relax and want to work more.
- Review calendar, cause often things come up while working I forgot about earlier in the week. Be sure my plans make sense.
- Once done, relax! Be gentle with myself the rest of the day. Don't do a lot of stressful house tasks like big cooking projects, errands around town, etc unless I genuinely want to and have energy. Big house tasks can get their own dedicated day.