What to do when you are feeling overwhelmed
When you are feeling overwhelmed because of fatigue, pain, deadlines, and lack of time, the solution is easier than you think.
We can spend a lot of time and energy trying to fight fatigue, trying to fix pain, trying to do more in less time, and trying not to be so stressed.
All that trying keeps you stuck in a stress state. In that state, your brain and body are trying to protect you from threats. The problem is, you become the threat in this state of trying.
When the threats are the thoughts about how you have no time and so much to do, how this &%# pain is getting in the way of enjoying life, or how tired you don't have time to take care of yourself, there is no respite.
The Inner Critic is the one who creates these barriers. The self-talk about the challenges is what keeps you stuck.
It is challenging to turn that spiral around just by thinking differently though, because the critical self-talk creates brain and body chemistry that keeps you in that thought loop.
The way to break that cycle is to change your brain chemistry. The most effective way to do that is with mindful, science-based movement. Studies show this combination of moving mindfully changes your brain chemistry. However, it only works when you follow movement science principles so moving clears rather than adds to the stress state.
The challenge is, that exericse has become another source of stress. Movement science principles are often forgotten in our no pain no gain, more is better culture. Exercise is thought of as another task, something that takes a lot of time, energy, and money. But that is not the type of movement we are talking about here.
When you move mindfully, you are listening to your body, allowing those pain and fatigue barriers to be your guide. You are embodying being well now, trusting what you know inside as your guide.
For example, if you are trying to get more steps but you have knee pain, you could see the pain as a barrier to reaching that goal. You can expend a great deal of mental energy resisting the pain, worrying about it, cursing it.
But when you take a step back and realize you are trying to get steps to improve your health, you can see your body is telling you it needs something different to be healthy right now. It needs a movement that is an anti-inflammatory, not a proinflammatory. Mindful stretching or walking would do this. It would keep your attention in the present so you could use the pain as a guide, moving in a pain-free/reducing range. Pain is your guide to know how much is enough to be well right now.
That type of intentional movement puts your brain chemistry in a better state in just a few minutes. You have a built-in resource to regain full access to your skills, strengths, and creative problem-solving. You transform those barriers into guides.
When you are feeling overwhelmed by challenges in your body and your life, remember to use your whole person to get out of that state.
What type of movement leaves your whole person feeling and functioning better? Take a few minutes to move in this way mindfully and notice what happens to that internal stress environment.
If you dont have ways to move to shift your cells from stress to well right now, schedule a free call with me! Together we will find ways to turn those barriers into guides to Be Well Now.
Stay tuned for more tips on Celebrating December Well tomorrow.
Share this with someone you know who wants to celebrate December in the Well State.
Why wait until January to be well?
Are you stuck in the trying-to-be-healthy state? Learn the internal skills to Be Well Now and end the struggle to eat healthily, exercise regularly, and manage stress.
Exercising Well is so much more than an exercise program. It's a pathway to rewiring mindsets that keep you stuck.
You learn what to do and how to be self-motivated even if you are limited by pain, medical issues, stress or lack of time.
