The last 4 weeks have been a whirlwind. I’m sure you can relate.
A very unwell parent, and discovering how bad A&E actually is and the whole system from GPs, to nursing staff to care packages - it is in disarray from pre, during and post care. Hopefully the worst is over, and the staff are doing their best (I hope) within a very broken system.
Emotionally - frustrated and angry, but hopeful to get moving forward as soon as possible within the system.
I know alot of you have had similar experiences and the hope is that the outcome is as best as it can be. The journey, or rather, the rollercoaster continues.
With everything going on, balance has been impossible - it has been disrupted of course. That’s another frustration and downside of when life gets turned upside down.
It made me think about being ‘time-wise’ and how we choose to prioritise what’s landing on our plates to deal with, especially when things are outside of our control.
If you haven’t come across these urgent/important grids before - take a look. Even if you have seen them before - why not refresh your memory. I know it does help me and i have a cork board at home, which i use at times to post notes on when too many things land on my plate.
It helps to itemise the issues specifically, categorise them, and decide what to do next as such - to help prioritisation and then whatever action as needed.
I often do this mentally now, and when the list becomes too long, they find a place on the board!
This can apply to life, work, hobbies and anything really.
Give it a go - let it clarify what's going on in your life and help you step out of the typical mode we get into of ‘flight or flight’ and stress as we can get overwhelmed by everything as it all needs done right away. When our rational brains can view everything more clearly, we can be more selective and better able to decipher what’s going on, we can be better able to find the best steps to take for the way forward.
I’m sure you have heard this saying - 'You can't take care of anyone else unless you first take care of yourself.'
Easy to say, not so easy to do, but it is true.
Once the emotional brain has quietened down after it’s initial reaction to whatever is going on, we can be more rational in our thoughts as our rational computer brain can step in. If you do not give yourself some time to do what recharges your batteries and calms the emotional responses, you will suffer and ultimately be of less use to anyone that you care about, or be less able to do the things that are important to you - whether that’s work, rest or play.
The quadrant below just gives a few more points to consider again.
So my advice to you - take just a few minutes to draw a grid, label it and also write out a list of everything that is on your plate - your ‘to do list’. Then drop your to do points into the grid where you deem that they deserve a place to be.
Is this helpful to help you see a way forward that is most useful for now?
Of course, as you work through it, you will need to update it, but stay with it. It can be a support in times when things are overwhelming.
It can also be used as a day to day task list - not just for the busiest of times. It is good practice to think in these ways to help us move forward.
I know in times of busy-ness and the stress that often comes with it, if i don’t get time for as much exercise (which i haven’t for a couple of weeks now), it is the mind that can be helped with relaxation techniques and i do this style of relaxation and meditation to try to get the brain under control again! It helps to bring you out of flight or flight and stress hormone mode and into rest and restore mode with the happy and relaxing hormones. This can gain some much needed breathing space.
Of course I am hopeful to get back to exercising asap as the physical and mental release I get is much more effective as it takes me out of my head and into the present moment of doing something that needs your full attention in a positive way. But mental clarity is so needed too and relaxation sessions may be all that we can grab onto when time is so limited.
Can you relate to this?
I hope this video can be of help for you - it is just a short 6 minute relaxation session. Have a go and compare how you feel before and after. Let me know if it’s helpful.
If you find this helpful, I have some longer meditation and relaxation sessions available which can be attended seated or lying down and at any point in your day:
I hope this blog has been useful to help you make progress in your mind and body.
I would love to know your thoughts about how you get on and what habits you are wanting to create for yourself, and if these suggestions have been useful - leave me a comment and I will get back to you.
Tanya x