Life can be so busy. There is always so much to do and multiple things that compete for your time and energy. It can seem like you are constantly being bombarded with requests from others, to-do list, and your own expectations. You may feel so overwhelmed that you don’t know how you will keep up with everything. You feel overwhelmed, distracted, and wonder when you will ever have time to breathe.
There is hope! You don’t have to let stress or exhaustion rule your life. When left unchecked stress and fatigue can negatively impact your mental and physical well-being. There is hope! Consider these simple steps to renew your mind:
- Laugh hard and laugh often. Studies have shown that laughing can have therapeutic benefits. It helps to increase blood flow and lower your heart rate.
- Get your z’s. Most adults do not get the proper amount of sleep, which is between seven to eight hours each night. Getting adequate rest allows your body to handle stress better and improves your overall health.
- Unplug from the platforms. Sometimes it seems like our electronic devices vie for more time than we allot for ourselves. This is valuable time that could be used to meditate or to read an inspirational book.
- Learn to say no. It is easy to get caught up in doing things to make other people happy at our own expense. Saying yes to something you really want to say no to, can be very draining and can make you feel resentful. It is o.k. to say no.
Don’t embrace multi-tasking. Multi-tasking can have an adverse impact on your daily productivity. Focus on one thing at a time and you will be surprised how much quicker you can complete the task.- Snuggle up with a good book. Reading can help make you relax because it lets your mind escape for a little while, into the private world of the book you are reading. Research indicates that reading a book you enjoy can help to reduce stress more than 50%.
- Meditate for a healthier you. Mediation can help you recharge your mind by increasing your clarity, reducing your blood pressure, and reducing stress hormones in your body.
Mental Health and Wellness Advocate
Benita L. Thornhill, MA, LPCA, LCASA is the spouse of a former Naval Surface Warfare Officer. She is the owner of Coastal Carolina Wellness Connection in Jacksonville, NC. She works with active duty military, veterans and their families. If you have any questions or need guidance, please email me here.
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