Summer is supposed to be filled with lazy days by the pool, sleeping late, and barbeques. I don’t know about you, but I feel exactly the same as the rest of the year, except hotter and covered in mosquito bites. The days are still filled with to-do lists, kids needing constant care, and the obligatory week-long family vacation. Thoughts of overwhelm and racing thoughts continue to ruminate in my mind and stress is still present.
I have discovered a few strategies that have made a difference in gaining clarity and calming my mind when I am laying awake in bed covered in sweat at 2 am going through a mental list of all the things I need to do tomorrow.
5,4,3,2,1 Calming Exercise: A great way to stop the runaway train and bring you back to the present moment.
The Brain Dump: A strategy to get all the thoughts out of your head and down on paper. Many times when I do this, I discover most of the items are irrelevant and can be eliminated.
Change your environment: Get up and go for a walk, call a friend, or just veg out and watch Netflix. This has been the hardest strategy for me, but taking a break is ok! A break should not be a reward after you have done all the things, but a tool to help you manage it all.
