Thank you so much for sharing this! It is so timely for me. I have been feeling totally and utterly drained lately, and the small asks feel monumental- I have a tendency to push and push myself through until my body literally shuts down in some way, and have been working on how to avoid getting to this place. I can get myself so wrapped up in the weeds about why I feel burnt out, and never have asked myself this question with total honesty, and respected the answer that arises. Today- I am doing just that. The answer was to rest and chill. Sometimes the thing is so easy and we( I) can make it so hard🤪 I appreciate this, thank you! I’m going to write it on a little note above my desk too❤️
Thank you for this. I have major stress because of my brothers health condition and getting us moved to a better location. All I need is sleep and getting my body out of fight or flight mode so I can sleep. Now I just need to figure out what that is since all the usual thing that helped aren’t working.
I'm so sorry, Elizabeth. Caregiving and family health challenges are probably the most stressful ongoing situation I can imagine. I can suggest things that have worked for me in the past, although of course I'm not a healthcare practitioner, so please check with yours first:
Cold showers. I know, I know... but they are truly game-changing for helping your nervous system regulate and better navigate stress. You may find them helpful to get you going in the morning, OR to relax at night before bed.
Phosphatidylserine: This is a supplement my functional medicine doctor recommended I take before bed years ago, as it helps to lower cortisol at night. I take 1-2 pills at night right before bed, and it has REALLY helped me sleep during stressful seasons. Here is the one I take: https://a.co/d/ao5rHSM
Breathing: I've found focusing on my breathing at night, or doing relaxation exercises like relaxing each body part one at a time starting at my toes, helps me calm my brain before bed. I also LOVE reading until I literally fall asleep with my hands on the book during stressful periods. Fiction works well here to distract my brain, and if I fall asleep with the book in my hand, it's pretty easy to turn off the light and just drop off. XO
Thank you. I will try them. I need to get back to also eating mostly whole30 and severely reduce my caffeine intake. That came to me this morning as I sip my coffee which I shouldn’t be drinking. LOL.
I was just thinking about how to get past the overwhelmed feeling when this article popped up. Thank you! When was watching the French Open I was noticing the short hand bouncing pattern a player used before each serve. A business guru calls it a Jig. I appreciate your insight that a jig used each time to set my focus is only one option. You opened the idea that the thing that will reset me could be different every time and variety is my middle name. So many times, when I’ve looked to men for the inspirational answer, the answer falls short because they don’t think or feel like women, and I have wished for a woman to affirm and guide me. That’s one reason why I’m a paid subscriber. So many times, you get me and affirm my reality and encourage me to do and be better, even while acknowledging the realities of kids and competing priorities and needs. May the Lord bless you and keep you and shine his light upon you! Have a wonderful day!
I LOVE the comparison to a "jig," and the applications here! That's brilliant. Thanks so much for the kind words, I'm thrilled that you find this community helpful. The support I get here means so much. XO
Thank you so much for sharing this! It is so timely for me. I have been feeling totally and utterly drained lately, and the small asks feel monumental- I have a tendency to push and push myself through until my body literally shuts down in some way, and have been working on how to avoid getting to this place. I can get myself so wrapped up in the weeds about why I feel burnt out, and never have asked myself this question with total honesty, and respected the answer that arises. Today- I am doing just that. The answer was to rest and chill. Sometimes the thing is so easy and we( I) can make it so hard🤪 I appreciate this, thank you! I’m going to write it on a little note above my desk too❤️
Thank you for this. I have major stress because of my brothers health condition and getting us moved to a better location. All I need is sleep and getting my body out of fight or flight mode so I can sleep. Now I just need to figure out what that is since all the usual thing that helped aren’t working.
I'm so sorry, Elizabeth. Caregiving and family health challenges are probably the most stressful ongoing situation I can imagine. I can suggest things that have worked for me in the past, although of course I'm not a healthcare practitioner, so please check with yours first:
Cold showers. I know, I know... but they are truly game-changing for helping your nervous system regulate and better navigate stress. You may find them helpful to get you going in the morning, OR to relax at night before bed.
Phosphatidylserine: This is a supplement my functional medicine doctor recommended I take before bed years ago, as it helps to lower cortisol at night. I take 1-2 pills at night right before bed, and it has REALLY helped me sleep during stressful seasons. Here is the one I take: https://a.co/d/ao5rHSM
Breathing: I've found focusing on my breathing at night, or doing relaxation exercises like relaxing each body part one at a time starting at my toes, helps me calm my brain before bed. I also LOVE reading until I literally fall asleep with my hands on the book during stressful periods. Fiction works well here to distract my brain, and if I fall asleep with the book in my hand, it's pretty easy to turn off the light and just drop off. XO
Thank you. I will try them. I need to get back to also eating mostly whole30 and severely reduce my caffeine intake. That came to me this morning as I sip my coffee which I shouldn’t be drinking. LOL.
Good morning, Melissa,
I was just thinking about how to get past the overwhelmed feeling when this article popped up. Thank you! When was watching the French Open I was noticing the short hand bouncing pattern a player used before each serve. A business guru calls it a Jig. I appreciate your insight that a jig used each time to set my focus is only one option. You opened the idea that the thing that will reset me could be different every time and variety is my middle name. So many times, when I’ve looked to men for the inspirational answer, the answer falls short because they don’t think or feel like women, and I have wished for a woman to affirm and guide me. That’s one reason why I’m a paid subscriber. So many times, you get me and affirm my reality and encourage me to do and be better, even while acknowledging the realities of kids and competing priorities and needs. May the Lord bless you and keep you and shine his light upon you! Have a wonderful day!
I LOVE the comparison to a "jig," and the applications here! That's brilliant. Thanks so much for the kind words, I'm thrilled that you find this community helpful. The support I get here means so much. XO