Sometimes the train of life can move so quickly that the prospect of getting off at any stop can seem nearly impossible. We live in a society that values productivity and promotes continuous movement. Our youth are filling up their days with school and multiple extra-curricular activities just to keep up with the race and remain competitive.

Adults are working 10+ hour days and barely have time to sit and enjoy a balanced meal with friends or loved ones. With all the responsibilities and obligations, we have to fulfill in our daily lives, where does the responsibility to care for ourselves fit in?
I have felt this way more often than I would like to admit. I recently came to notice feeling generally overwhelmed and irritable. I was getting headaches more than usual, my patience levels were low and I was having difficulty sleeping through the nights. My increasing stress was affecting my general sense of wellbeing.

So one night, in an effort to release some of that energy I went for an evening run. That evening, something shifted in me (likely fueled by the endorphins rushing through my body from the exercise) it was also a gentle voice telling myself to stop and breathe. So I paused and I looked up and in that moment I saw the beauty that surrounded me– I took in the crisp scents of the evening air and listened to the rustling of the bushes in the breeze. It was a feeling of total peace—a moment of clarity in the fog. I was reminded of the value of being gentle with myself and how that is also something I speak of so often of with clients.

Sometimes we need to live with more intention placed on the value of slowing down. When we take care of ourselves, we can more effectively take care of others. When we take care of others, we foster a community-based culture fueled by unity, cooperation and appreciation. In states of heightened stress, we naturally become more reactive.

The stress response moves us into more instinctual fight or flight reaction. Increasing mindful awareness can act as a tool to help us respond in a calm, non-reactive way. It also promotes a sense of self-compassion that is much needed in such a fast-paced culture. Learning how to build mindful awareness skills starts with your breath and can be practiced by anybody, anywhere. By simply taking notice of our breath and breathing from deep in our bellies, we are actually slowing down our pace of breathing, which begins to slow down our entire system, sending messages to our brain that we are in a relaxed state. This can be done in the car, or at a desk; no props necessary, just your attention.

My challenge to you is to be gentle with yourself, take moments of pause in your day, breathe deeply and experience the beauty around you. If you are having trouble with your mindset or stress we at Therapy2Thrive are here to help. Just give us a call 925-998-3392