Instant Relief For the Overwhelmed Soul
Seven Ideas For Reclaiming Inner Peace
Overwhelm seems to be the norm these days, and I can’t fix it, but here are seven ideas for reclaiming inner peace in the midst of the turmoil:
- ) Commit for today. Ambivalence is an enormous energy drain. If you find yourself constantly evaluating and analyzing your situation, put some good boundaries around that evaluation. If you’re not able to make a change today, take the question off the table for the moment, and show up as your full, awesome self for whatever the day brings.
2.) Find the love. Even if it’s just a sliver, focus intentionally for three full minutes on the relationships that make you feel safe and loved. Soak it in.
3.) Own your feelings. Admit what you resent, or what you really want, or what makes you cry. Shoving our feelings down isn’t healthy or helpful. You don’t need to do anything based on this admission until you are ready, but allow the thoughts to come. Fighting them is exhausting.
4.) Throw a tantrum. For real, rival a three-year-old, just do it in a safe space, not at the office, grocery store, or at the dinner table. Lock the bedroom door, and punch the bed, kick the air, or scream into a pillow. Just let it all out. This is a way to “complete the stress cycle,” which we need to do before we can de-stress. Or, just get a good old-fashioned workout in, if that feels better to you.
5.) Integrate self-care in your routine. A few things that take next-to-no time: Make a cup of tea in your favorite mug. Wrap your favorite scarf around your shoulders. Wear the coziest socks you can find. If your shower is the only time you get to yourself, make it as luxurious as possible with products you love. Find the little things that can help you feel calm.
6.) Make a “menu” of things that re-fuel you. Favorite books, movies, magazines, Instagram feeds, YouTube channels, podcasts, or blogs. Things that inspire you, give you energy, and bring you back to center. It can be hard to think of these things when you’re exhausted, so having a list ready makes it easier to reach for them when you need them.
7.) Focus on someone you love. Sometimes the best way to feel better is to take the focus off ourselves, so send a quick text to a friend encouraging them, or give someone a compliment. Look for the moms in the thick of the toddler years, and tell them they’re doing good work. Shift your attention outward, and connect with someone.
