If you are in a stressful season like me, you need a way to calm down. All the way down. Stress, unfortunately, is not a part of life that we can control or predict. That said, we need to find a way to get the stress out of our minds and bodies to move beyond feeling stuck and overwhelmed.
Turn it off
The first step is turning the devices off. I can’t recommend this if you’re in the middle of a work meeting that is just adding work to your plate every second, but I do recommend it at the end of the day when you want to sever yourself from the awful day you just had. Scrolling on social media or watching TV will not help you feel better. It will just delay the feelings you have until they come flooding back in. Turning off the devices will at least allow for a separation in your mind from the circumstances that are causing you stress, even if the feeling does linger a bit.
Go analog
If you find you really need a distraction, go analog. Do a word search or a crossword or Sudoku. I’m making it sound like you’re in a waiting room, but do something, even a puzzle. It gives your mind something to do but you aren’t ignoring how you feel. Ignoring how you feel is a great way for that feeling to inhabit your body for a while.
Drink water
Your physical body always needs a little bit of nurturing. Drink some water. At the very least, you’re hydrated. If you drink coconut water, you have some electrolytes.
Lay down
If you are really overwhelmed, get grounded. Laying on the ground and breathing is a good way of connecting to your physical body and can even help with slowing down the mind. If you go outside, you compound this with nature’s effect on lowering our stress levels.
Sleep
There’s something to be said for a quality nap or a good night’s rest when you’re stressed. Things do feel clearer when your mind has a chance to take a break. Instead of circling the same problem or issue, your mind gets some time to not be directly preoccupied with the problem. That break is much appreciated. Plus things do feel better in the morning.
Watch a TV show/movie you’ve already seen
If what you’re contending with is something unfamiliar, perhaps it’s best to surround yourself with what you know. One example is a show or movie you’ve already seen. You don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but you know what happens in season 5 and there’s comfort in the familiar.
Don’t reach for caffeine first thing
Make a cup of herbal tea. It’s recommended that you drink your first cup of caffeine 90 minutes after waking. I don’t think most people wait that long. However, having a cup that spikes your cortisol is not recommended if you want to calm your nervous system. Try something warm, even hot water with lemon. But no caffeine right away.
Literally move slower
The less your body is in a rush, the less urgency/cortisol you will feel coursing through your body. Don’t underestimate the power of the body to work on the mind. Wben I rush, my mind also starts moving rapidly. Physically slowing down means that my mind starts to follow suit. Urgency will come. It’s just life bringing you a new problem sometimes. But you don’t need to always be moving at an extremely fast pace. Slow but steady wins the race.
Have a ritual
One of my favorite things is having a drink I drink on Friday night. It’s usually a soda that I save all week long, and then crack open after I finish work. Ritual is a calming way of reminding my body of the familiar. I love creating little things like this. Often what wrecks my nervous system is the unexpected, the last minute email and several calls later about a crisis. So having a favorite snack or drink nearby helps.
Arrange your environment
A messy space clutters an already messy mind. When I do something important, I often clean my room first just so I can have a clear mind before I begin. Even the act of cleaning brings some calm to my mind. I can’t bring order to every part of my life but I have a tangible positive change that I can bring when I clean. Arrange your environment as needed.
Don’t forget that just breathing intentionally can be a great place to start.
Signing off,
Gigi
