What stress and tension, similar to a runaway train does is chugs along and gains momentum, as it builds up steam over time. Having a restless night then having an extremely anxiety filled workday can compound, as it has a chain effect. Then we feel beaten by the world.
Over the course of time, our daily challenges begin to mount, much like your car overheating, as the fatigue begins to grow.
Yet we’re forced to carry on, feeling tired to the bone but push through anyways, even though our body and mind is telling us to slow down.
We know we should be practising caution, yet we choose not to, as we run ourselves rampant.
Stress Meter High
Most often, we don’t even realize what’s happening to us, how exhausted we’re getting, until we become flattened and wind up on our back.
It could be a terrible cold, that chronic back or tooth ache, then you spend days to recuperate, becoming listless and unmotivated.
Or we just lose our composure, go crazy like the dogs in the yard, we vent our anger.
We yell and fight, begin to not care, consciously do things which are unhealthy.
Putting A Stop To The Madness
So how do you put a halt to this steamboat. The first step is acknowledging things are getting out of hand, and you are responsible, that you’re driving it.
It often feels life is running us over, things are getting out of hand, while realizing there are certain circumstances which are beyond our control.
We can respond by actively doing something about it, by taking care of ourselves once the challenges of life belts us.
It begins with admitting it’s solely up to us to make the changes, before they become overwhelming.
Know The Initial Warning Signs
Always be mindful enough to know the signs, the strains of daily living, are beginning to eat away at you.
You’re having difficultly concentrating as you rely on caffeine jolts, you don’t eat well and have poor sleep.
You’re becoming increasingly irritable and moody, instantly snapping at the spouse, kids or coworkers for no reason.
You no longer enjoy the things you love to do, or enjoy yourself. All warning signs you may be headed for a crash.
Know Your Body Crying
Once you become tense, become frustrated or angry, it’s our physical body that begins to deteriorate without we even realizing it, until we get sick or injured.
So whenever possible, once you have a few free moments, apply the mindful techniques of calming yourself down, reset your panic button and relax.
You don’t need to suddenly get up and go for a workout. You need to take notice, realize your shoulders, chest, or calves are feeling tight.
Your thoughts are racing fast forward which is making you anxious. Becoming aware of how your body is reacting, is the preliminary indicator.
You’re beginning to feel you’re running out of steam. Take notice of all the signs of tension, then take counteractive action.
Get Adequate Sleep
Make it a priority to get more sleep. Taking the active steps to get yourself back on track, becomes infinitely more difficult, when you constantly feel exhausted.
So cut down on the caffeine, leave your laptop and smartphone in the other room, stop watching that late night TV program. Instead, concentrate on getting a peaceful nights sleep.
Make sure the bedroom is cool and dark, breathe deeply, try the 4-7-8 technique to fall asleep.
Convince yourself you’re going to sleep deep and peacefully. If you have insomnia, then seek help.
Prepare For Transition
When you’re between meetings or driving to work, when working out, or on your way to pick up the kids from soccer practice, give your mind a break from multi-tasking.
A key trigger to stress, is constantly trying to juggle several activities at once.
Relax by taking several deep breaths, allowing your breathing to regulate itself, and mindfully do so routinely and regularly. During this time, avoid thinking, planning, or worrying.
When doing so, make sure you visualize consciously as it helps you know exactly how you’re feeling, what you’re thinking of and doing.
Slow Your Life Down
Once you become overwhelmed, cancel those extra meetings in your schedule if you can. Go to the spa and get pampered, and do so for several days to recuperate.
Allow the things on your to-do list to wait a bit longer, and prioritize them based on urgency. Make future plans to do them once you’re better rested.
Take a well deserved mental health day, or even just an afternoon. Choose an activity you like to do, such as catching a movie.
Seek Out Assistance
It’s easy to think all your challenges and issues are yours alone to solve. Realize we’re social animals, who are meant to communicate and help each other out.
There are ways to find this help, including your friends or family members who unconditionally understands. Find a support group, find a yoga class, anything to unwind.
Keep in mind it’s not always easy to share your stories or the struggles you’re going through, as you’re interrupting the lives of others who has issues of their own.
Seek the help of those who deeply cares about you. What doing so will do, is keep you grounded and less stressed out.
Be Easy On Yourself
Don’t beat yourself up when feeling down. There are times when you do everything right, such as exercising, eating properly, getting to sleep on time, but it’s still not enough.
Don’t get discouraged, as the “fates” of life happens to everyone. If anything can go wrong, you know it will.
The sooner you can begin taking care of yourself better during this time, the sooner you’ll get back on track.