When You Just Can't Do Any More
Have you ever felt like everything comes crashing down at once? Whether you “all of a sudden” feel like you could explode because of too much on your to-do list, or you just feel tired all the time, or maybe you are run-down and can’t kick the sniffles, or are fighting recurring injuries? Our minds, emotions, and bodies offer us vital information about our internal wellness, if we know how to pay attention to them. That’s where the practice of mindfulness comes in; learning to watch and make note of the mind, the emotions and the body.
When we develop an understanding of our thought patterns, we can identify stress triggers and harness the ability to respond rather than react impulsively. Being aware of our emotions allows us to acknowledge and process them in a healthy manner, preventing them from escalating into a state of overwhelm. Moreover, paying attention to our body's signals, such as tension or fatigue, enables us to recognize the signs of stress early on, giving us an opportunity to intervene before it takes over.
Through heightened awareness, we can proactively engage in self-care practices like mindfulness, meditation, and exercise, which restore equilibrium and promote resilience in the face of stress. Ultimately, cultivating this holistic self-awareness empowers us to navigate stress more skillfully, leading to enhanced well-being and a more balanced life.
It all begins with a pause and a breath. Just stop, in the middle of your day (and at the beginning and end too). Take a deep breath and close your eyes. Make note of how your body feels (tension, soreness, upset). Make note of your mood and emotions; find a word to label as close to how you’re feeling and just sit with it. Then notice what’s going on in your mind: is it frantic? What are the thoughts about — the past, the future or self-criticism? The point here is to practice curiosity and pure awareness, so notice if your inclination is to criticize yourself even more if you think your internal state is “bad.” There is no good or bad. We are practicing awareness as a tool to learn more about ourselves. In time, you can choose to make small shifts if you wish, but always be gentle with yourself inside. Take time to rest. Then begin again. A new moment, a new hour, a new day.