I have realized that there are things that I must do every day in order to manage my stress levels. I consider these things my non-negotiables. No matter what all is going on, I make sure to schedule these activities into my day. The most important one for me is to take a hot bath at the end of the day. This is my time to relax, to let go of the stresses of the day, and to begin to wind down before bedtime. There is just something so great about the warm water that helps my physical body to begin to relax. And since there isn’t really a lot you can do while you are taking a bath (I am too clumsy to risk dropping my book, kindle, or phone into the water) my mind is able to relax as well. Additionally, because I do this consistently every night before bed, my brain knows that sleep comes next. I have literally trained my brain to know that bath means sleep, so that after about 10 minutes in the bathtub, I can barely keep my eyes open.
Baths may not be enjoyable for you so some other warm water options are to jump in the hot tub, if you have one, or take a hot shower. But even more important, is to be aware of what activities, rituals, or actions work for you. What is it you do that consistently helps you to relax, calm down, and manage the overwhelm? Take a walk, listen to music, chat with a friend? Once you figure this out, do that thing(s) everyday, without fail. Make it a nonnegotiable activity, like brushing your teeth. The point is to prioritize your mental calm and well-being so that when things get crazy, you are ready!
Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns and let me know what your non-negotiables are. I would love to hear from you!
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