Stress-free is impossible; I try to get some stress-light days once a month — a way for my “system” to relax periodically. This helps the kids and wife, otherwise they tend to see a stressful daddy, always.

My dad always points me to the “string on a bow”, which is under constant tension. Without some periodic rest, it is likely to SNAP! My dad is kind of like me so he knows I tend to get preoccupied and neglect the tension build-up, so he paints this vivid picture for me, over and over until I can recognize the symbol 绷紧的弦.

Practical guidelines for a stress-light day? Theory is fine, but when we implement and hit resistance, we need wisdom + practical tips

stress-light doesn’t mean wasting time. Need to strike a balance.

I think a key factor is the ZSMS after a stress-light day. I tend to feel guilty for wasting time!

Here are some of the activities on a stress-light day:
* reading tech or fin math? Is OK but should be not be “forced”. The motivation can be stressful. So perhaps a light motivation
* physical exercise? Always encourage. Even forced exercise is good for stress relief, but beware “missed punch is more tiring than a landed punch” — unkind pressure to push yourself but no exercise done ==> stress!
* Piano with boy? Can be stressful…I feel a duty. The 10-sec/day rule is practical.
* help boy with studies? More stressful than piano. Be careful. Don’t count the minutes. Make it fun and relaxed. * blogging? fine
* review past blogs; send email drafts? fine
* emailing? fine
* Chinatown shopping? fine but too much tcost
* movie? fine

Does boy also need a stress-lite day? Parents need to be cool-headed and not react emotionally like “look at him.. every study”. I feel there are some differences between adult’s stress and student’s stress:
* Students definitely get more time for physical activity each day.
* They don’t have heavy responsibilities due to other people depending on them.