Many clients we’re supporting right now are struggling with life load and rising stress levels.
Most are so overwhelmed and anxious they’re stuck in survival mode.
Reacting instead of responding.
This drives avoidance tactics and the need for distraction.
Emotional eating, scrolling, boozing, hiding in bed, shopping or focusing on someone else…
To stop this escalating we head to the drawing board together and put some simple things in place to bring the problem solving, logical areas of the brain back online.
Step 1: De-stimulate
Our brains were not designed to cope with doom scrolling.
More time offline and being disciplined with your use of tech is essential.
These gadgets and the info they present can own your mind if you let them by creating a reality that drives consumerism, materialism and hedonism.
Edit what you see and limit your exposure if you value your mental health.
Gradually retain your brain to monotask by sitting in the garden, reading a book, watching a film to the end or remaining present in conversation,
Step 2: Less Is More Scheduling
We schedule with the aim of cramming in as much as possible then wonder why the week flew by and we felt overwhelmed.
Start scheduling your week with a balance between compassion and obligation.
Give yourself more time than you need and under commit so you can add if you have capacity.
Aiming for doable avoids adding a sense of failure and frustration to your hectic week.
Put time back into your week to do nothing or some activities with no goals or outcomes.
Step 3: Watch Your Thought Patterns
An essential skill is beginning to observe thoughts and how they stream into a constant dialogue within you mind.
It can be speeded up with multi tasking, excessive workloads, repressed emotions too much caffeine, exercise or excess sugar.
It can be slowed with time in nature, yin yoga, meditation, breathing exercises and just stillness.
If you can observe you mind you can question it.