I am trying to do a better job of managing stress in my life .. or more like stopping stress from managing me. I can tell when stress is getting out of hand when I start getting stomach aches, headaches, and start waking up around 3:30 am every morning. I'm trying to get back in the habit of going to the gym two or three times a week - somehow I got away from doing that, not sure how I just let other activities get in the way.

I've read that being physically active can help regulate stress - so hopefully getting to the gym will help.

My job is stressful - mgmt is always wanting people to stay later and/or come in on weekends. I don't want to do that and so I've been trying to get the increased requests for work done within the normally scheduled hours. And it really isn't possible - I know that logically. But I'm having a tough time just letting that go. I will not be looked upon favorably for not getting the increased work done and I don't look like a dedicated employee by not coming in after hours. I have a family and want to keep boundaries between caring for my family and my obligations to my employer.

I'm ok with give and take - I need to leave work and pickup a sick child sometimes .. so I understand that sometimes staying later is what is needed. But it can't be part of the routine work schedule .. I want to be a positive productive member of my company, but not at the expense of my family.

I am trying to be "ok" with the snotty comments thrown my way from time to time by mgmt because I don't come in on weekends. But it is really bothering me. I'm trying to pretend it doesn't and I'm trying not to let mgmt know that it bugs me .. but I don't think I'm doing a good job fooling anyone. Everyone knows it bugs me and so .. the snotty comments.

I enjoy the work I do and kind of hate to leave because mgmt has changed .. but I don't need this stress.

I wish that I could just let the comments roll off my back like water off of a duck.. I want to stop my reactions from making me sick. That is what I'm working on.