De-stressing to Enhance Mental Cognition - Saying "No"

While there are many roads that may lead to Alzheimer's disease and/or other dementias, there are also many ways to detect a different underlying cognitive problem, one that can be "fixed", so to speak. From my observations, probably the biggest impact on cognition for those 20-60 years of age, is stress. We are running left, right, up, and down to solve, attend to, manage, balance, and survive. Whether self-imposed (the most likely) or imposed upon, we tend to think that we have to do and be everything to everyone at all times.
A first step to de-stressing is learning to say, "No." It is also the hardest step. If you are a pleaser, or you just like to see matters taken care of efficiently and effectively, this "No" word is difficult. Having a vision, recognizing how you want things to unfold, saying "No" puts someone else in charge. So, yes, you have some freedom now, but you all have to settle for having things completed (or left undone) in a fashion of which you do not approve. And if your name is on the package as part of the "set-up" or "put-together" team, this can be unnerving as well as discouraging.
Plus when you have responded "Yes" to every request, it is hard for others to know what to do when you do say "No". Most often these folks do not realize how hard it is for you to utter this word, and how even harder it is for you to follow through. People get around you by saying, "Well, if you will not chair this production, with all of your talents and insight, will you please assume the role for Part B? We need you."
Flattery or truth, saying "No" now may be even harder. It is important to accept that saying "Yes" at this point also means loosing control of certain aspects as someone else is now in charge. Without a doubt, you are even more stressed with the situation. After all, things will probably not roll out to your liking.
This is just part of the reason saying "No" and sticking to it is amazingly difficult - nearly impossible.
Your homework, then is to list your responsibilities (please stop at 10), and then analyze them as to significance and value. This could take quite some time but it will be worth it as you develop your "No" abilities.
On the side, as you work on your list and analysis, practice saying "No" - just that 1 word to begin with and later we will work on adding your reasons/reasoning why.
Happy "No" Day to You!