None of this is brand new information, but apparently for me I need to hear/read things a bazillion times before they finally click! I’ve been feeling overwhelmed with life lately (more on that later) and needed to implement some immediate changes in my life to be able to function.
Take it one day at a time
Looking ahead at the weeks appointments, activities and deadlines had me slapping my planner closed and staring off into space faster than a toddler stealing a fresh baked cookie. Now on Sunday I glance ahead to make sure I don’t miss anything big and then I just focus on each days appointments/activities and don’t worry about the next day.
Do just a little bit every day
The list of things I want to do in a day is astounding. Eat right, exercise, do yoga, stretch, plan fun activities for my kids, reading and writing with my 5 yo, interactive play with my 3 yo, make healthy dinners, work on my businesses, get my blog off the ground, meditate, respond to IG comments and messages, journal, start journal business, be outside and just enjoy life. The. List. Doesn’t. End. Small, consistent steps can make BIG changes over time. I don’t try to do it all anymore. This is hard for me, but I am learning to celebrate small accomplishments.
Don’t care what others think about you
I’ve always cared what other people thought about me, that’s a hard one for most people I think. But I’m slowly growing and learning not to care. I like the bucket analogy for this: you only have so much room in your bucket for all of your thoughts, emotions and feelings, so why fill it up with negativity and people who don’t matter?
Relax your shoulders
Relax your tongue
Even when I don’t think I’m stressed, if I think about relaxing my shoulders, they usually have a few centimeters of slack I can let out. And the tongue trick I learned from my OB. It’s surprising how much it relaxes the muscles in your jaw.
Take a deep breath
I was shocked a couple of years ago when I took a restorative yoga lesson and I could not get a full inhalation in. I had been breathing shallow for so long that my body actually adjusted to it. I had to PRACTICE breathing. That’s how stressed I was.
Pour yourself a glass of water
And water. So simple right? Then how do I go most of the afternoon and evening without taking a sip.
I hope these help. I’m still working on all of them. But each little bit chips away at that overwhelmed feeling that has come over me like heavy sheet, trapping my body and mind.
