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What helps you juggle work and family? What's your favorite quick stress reducer? Have you found a way to squeeze in some 'me' time into your busy schedule? Share your tips!

I am fortunate enough to have a best friend who's been in my life since I was five. Our mothers went to nursing school together, we attended the same small neighborhood church and went to the same school from Kindergarten through high school graduation, and were in each other's weddings. She knows me better than anyone else on the planet and vice versa. The kind of soul mates who can abbreviate an entire explanation using a single word or name from the past. But she lives 90 minutes away. So, every six months we meet in the middle for dinner to celebrate our respective birthdays. Just the two of us...no husbands, no kids, no interruptions...just two best friends laughing about the good times, crying about the tough ones, and swapping secrets. No matter how broke we are or how busy we get, we make this night happen twice a year. When I know I've got that on my calendar, I can get through just about anything!”

Posted by Valerie on 15th May 2012

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Showing 10-18 of 218 Lifesavers

As soon as I get to work each day, I write a to-do list. It helps me stay on track, and crossing things off makes me feel great.

by Lylah M. Alphonse on 6th June 2008

355
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As soon as you get home from work, put a big pot of water on to boil. Chances are, you'll need it for whatever you're making for dinner and, if you don't, you can dump it on top of your dirty dishes and they'll practically clean themselves.

by Work It, Mom! Team on 6th June 2008

331
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At the end of the day, almost everyday, I relax in a tub full of bubbles with an aromatherapy candle and listen to Delilah! It so nice to hear I am not alone with all of my problems. This is the only thing that has gotten me through some very rough times after losing my job. I can clear my mind or straighten out my thoughts and just "be". I just found a new company recently that makes awesome aromatherapy candles www.theearthselements.com and I truely have to say that they are the best chaning my mood!

by Always Sleepy on 11th November 2010

227
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Audio books and podcasts for driving to work and back. I get home so much more relaxed!

by Natalie on 19th March 2009

186
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Be aware of your own emotions and energy levels. It's nigh on impossible for many of us to take a day or even a whole hour to ourselves so make of list of small activities you can do in 10 minutes that recharge you. It could be you sit for 10 minutes reading before going into the office, go for a walk around the block at lunchtime, schedule a 10 minute chat with a friend - whatever it is that sustains and rejuvenates you. Then when you can feel yourself in need of a quick pick me up - do one of your 10 minute recharges. try and work up to fitting in 3 per day - that's 30 minutes to yourself! Find creative ways to do it - come on, we can all find 10 minutes!

by Jo Casey on 1st July 2012

769
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Being able to work from home has been a lifesaver for me. I'm a full-time employee and fortunately my boss is quite flexible and understanding when I need to modify my schedule to be home with the kids. My laptop and corporate VPN (Virtual Private Network) keeps me connected. It took time, a great attitude, and delivering quality work to get to this point.

by Samantha on 17th August 2010

408
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Bringing my own lunch to work each day has been my lifesaver -- though, early on, I was sure it would just make things more stressful for me. (Another lunch to pack in the morning! No way!) But it's easy to throw leftovers, cut-up veggies and some low-cal dressing, tea bags (way better than the coffee at my office), and a small treat in a bag while I'm packing lunches and snacks for my kids. And I don't feel an urge to hit the junk-food-filled snack machines -- or even the chips-and-candy aisle at the supermarket -- at all, any more.

by Lylah M. Alphonse on 17th September 2010

357
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Buy a package of clothespins at the grocery store and use them instead of twist ties on things such as bread, plastic bags etc. So much easier! I delight in ripping off the twist ties that come on things and replacing it with a clothespin. I even use them on things in the freezer.

by Kathy on 25th April 2009

414
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Buy an extra set of cones and collection bottles for your breast pump, so you can always have a clean set ready to go.

by Work It, Mom! Team on 6th June 2008

428
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