How do you take care of yourself? Or do you at all? You are number one. How can you handle everything on your plate if your foundation is cracked? It’s okay to think about yourself. It’s easier said than done. It’s quite a difficult challenge to say the least. How many times have you finally had that time sit on the couch and at your own leisure and then BOOM…all these little chores pop in your head. “You know, I really could be doing the laundry…” (which is a chore that never ends.) To answer your question, yes you could be. You could be doing anything. We create excuses to not relax, rest, treat yourself, or take a leisure activity. Don’t get us wrong. Don’t forget your responsibilities-of course! We’re not crazy!
Whether it’s early in the morning before the kids get up or you have to go to work OR towards the end of your day…schedule in chunk of time for you. Time is a valuable resource, and we can never get enough of it. Try starting with 30 minutes, then when you get used to it, bump it up to 45 then an hour. Seems impossible right? In this Family Matters blog, we give you a how-to improve emotional and mental health.
Too much on your mind? Can’t catch those zzzz’s?
Put on socks, you’ll fall asleep faster if you have warm hands and feet. Read a book! You’l’l find that within the first 5 or so pages you read, you’re going to start dozing off. (From my experience!) This is going to off but eat two kiwis. They are a natural source of melatonin, which makes us sleepy. Chamomile tea works wonders 🙂
Slowly concentrate on tensing, then releasing each muscle in your body, starting with your feet and working all the way up to your head..
Is there such thing as too much technology?
Yes. There is. And we honestly need to take a break for a bit. Our minds need to relax. And we need to live in each moment and be present! When was the last time you had dinner with friends without absentmindedly scrolling through your phones? There are many phone detoxes you can Google and try. If you go out to a movie or to dinner, LEAVE YOUR PHONE AT HOME! Live in the moment. Enjoy the moment.
Getting in Order!
Stress grows when we don’t feel in control. From personal experience, when things unravel uncontrollably, my anxiety shoots through the roof. My journey is to let go of what I cannot control. By doing so, I create a manageable and realistic list. Writing everything down has relaxed me. There are thousands of thoughts running through my mind to a point where sitting down and composing a list or a blurb of what I’m thinking. It puts your mind at ease and prevents it turning into goo.
A set schedule or a list helps mental health because it puts everything in order. Do you have so many tasks that never gets done in a day or two? You just might be overwhelming yourself but setting unrealistic goals. We all want to squish 50 hours in a day but we can’t. Schedule two or three important tasks a day and it’ll be WAY easier to do them:)
Let it all Out
This is going to sound so weird but I find myself having a really good cry here and there. When I get overwhelmed I just let it out. I call the most trusted person in my life and vent. The worst thing I have ever done was hold it all in to “be strong”. I think showing emotion is strong. It represents humanity and honesty.
Now, not all of us need to necessarily cry it out. Work out, run, play a sport, walk in nature, walk at your local park, play an instrument, jump rope, anything that gets you UP and moving. Sitting there, even if it is just watching TV, could make it worse because your setting that energy in place.
Are you going through a family transition? Whether you are experiencing the exciting birth of a new baby, new home, or the trauma and stress from a divorce, grief, empty nest or illness, your priorities change. Family Matters will guide and support you to develop a positive attitude to accept that change is an imminent part of healing. We will help you focus on the present, getting from where you are today to where you want to be in the future. Creating a plan and mapping out life’s goals is imperative to a successful outcome, and we have the training, background, skills, and life experience to make you whole again.
Life’s transitions affect every family member differently, but with the right guidance, support and help with adjustment, these transitions can run smoother, causing less stress, grief, trauma, and even an overall sense of purpose and well-being.
Our services can help you adjust to transitions and take back the life you want and need for you and your loved ones.
together!