Getting Away From It All
February 15, 2009
Have you ever felt smothered by life? Do your daily activities wear you down to the point that you feel totally useless to everyone who matters to you? In times like this, you just need to get away from it all.
When life bogs you down
For many, the very idea of becoming overwhelmed with life is, well…overwhelming. Running here and there, saying yes to everything everyone asks you to do, making promise on top of promise that even you aren’t sure you can keep is exhausting. It’s enough to drive even the sanest person nuts.
All these little things begin piling up, until a mountain sits before you, waiting to be climbed. You stand before that mountain scared and mentally weary, and you don’t know what to do. So instead of dropping some of the baggage pulling you down, you keep piling on more, until you’ve slowed to a crawl and can barely move.
How to stop it
The first thing you have to do when you reach that looming mountain is stop. Drop your luggage. Breathe. Recognize that you can’t do this alone. Everyone needs help at some point. If this is the point where you need help, then by all means ask for it. Don’t suffer another step alone.
Another thing to pause here and take note of is that often times, those who find themselves in this predicament are repeating similar patterns created by their own parents. Was your father a workaholic? Did your mother obsess over a spotless home? More often than not, these compulsive preoccupations bleed over from one generation to the next. If you watched your mother take on more than she could handle, chances are you will try to do the same thing.
Follow the escape route
It won’t be easy, but you have to map an escape route. Figure out how to cope with your heavy load without it driving you into the ground. Asking for help is the simplest, and yet most underutilized way to lighten your load. Here are some more tips that might help you:
- Create a “helper’s list” that includes jobs for everyone to share in your household.
- Hire a teenager to help you out for a few weeks.
- Get a babysitter and leave town for 2-3 days.
- Use a yearly calendar to plan ahead.
- Start a car pool for kid activities.
- Take 30 minutes each day, just for you.
5 Ways To Relax NOW
August 22, 2008
Are you stressed to the max? Stress is the leading cause of many mental and physical ailments, including weight loss and gain, depression and anxiety. Stress can even have a devastating impact on your immune system, too.
When you begin to feel stressed, you should immediately put into practice some stress relief techniques to thwart off any other oncoming symptoms. These are some very easy and practical ways you can start using to help yourself relax.
- Close your eyes, draw a deep, cleansing breath in, hold for 5-7 seconds, then slowly exhale. Repeat this ten to twelve times, or as needed.
- Stretch. Stress can cause tense and knotted muscles throughout your body. When you’re feeling tense and anxious, stand up and do a few quick stretches. Simple stretches can help loosen tense muscles super fast and reduce the amount of tension you’re feeling.
- Meditate for 20-30 minutes each morning and evening. Meditation is helpful in calming your mind, which in turn, calms your body. Simple meditation, like getting quiet and focusing your mind on a central thought, can help you find peace and regain your composure.
- Read a joke book. Science has proven that laughter is a healing agent. Grab a funny book or watch your favorite comedy and enjoy a few laughs. This can do more good than you might think!
- Go for a walk with someone you love. Grab your partner and head outdoors for a late evening walk together. Enjoy the sunset as you stroll quietly together. Rather than talking about your day at work, or problems at home, focus on your relationship and love for each other.
How To Be Nice To Yourself
July 1, 2008
Are you feeling tired and rushed all the time? Do you seem to always give to others and rarely receive anything in return? Here are some nice things you can do for yourself today:
Buy yourself some flowers. Flowers brighten anyone’s day. Why wait for someone else to give you flowers? Buy yourself a bright, pretty bouquet and place it on your desk or somewhere nearby. A simple, inexpensive bouquet of flowers can do wonders to brighten your mood.
Head to the gym. One of the first things that goes when we neglect ourselves is our body. Buy yourself a gym membership, then visit regularly. A few trips to the gym every week is not only good for your body, but you’ll be able to work out all your frustrations, as well.
Drink more water. It’s a fact that most people don’t hydrate enough. Buy bottled water to have on hand. It will be much easier to say no to another soda if you can grab a bottle of water to go.
Take a Yoga class. Yoga is known for its healing and calming powers. There are often Yoga classes for beginners, which are great to teach you the basics of Yoga. Sign up for one and try it out.
Schedule a spa day. Sometimes you just need to unwind and relax with no worries and nobody around. Call your favorite spa and schedule some “you” time there.
Keep a journal. Journaling is a great place to vent about all your frustrations, too. It’s a safe place, for your thoughts and eyes only, where you can write about everything happening in your life. If you keep a journal only for such a purpose, you can burn it or shred it after all the pages are filled. It’s a healthy, disposable therapy session.
Lay off the junk food. Practice healthier eating habits by ditching the junk. Instead of that mid-day candy bar, pack yourself a healthy snack of nuts, fruits, or raw veggies with dip.
