What do you find yourself doing when your brain is racing, you know you have a thousand things you can be doing, and you can’t figure out where to start or what to focus on?
Meditation
My first thought is meditation, and often, that works. I especially like the Guided Meditation, “Take Back Your Power” ( Kelly, the Village ), when I want to focus on being productive and working towards goals, building my business, spiritual growth, etc.
There are times, though, when I feel like I need to calm down and relax, for example, in the evening when it is getting close to bedtime. In these instances, I find that something more soothing is appropriate for me personally. I have a lovely playlist on Amazon Music that I find ideal for bedtime or late evening. My daughter prefers Spotify. I believe in finding what works best for you.
Breathing
But what about the times when meditation just isn’t going to do the trick? Or are you having that feeling of not having time for meditation? ( Which I know in my case is often not true, it would probably be better in the long run, but it is still the way I feel in the moment) . Sometimes, mindful breathing helps. This is taking slow, deep breaths and focusing on the sensations of your breath to calm your mind and body.
Box Breathing (4-4-4-4):
* Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of 4.
* Hold your breath for a count of 4.
* Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of 4.
* Hold your breath for a count of 4 before repeating.
Mindful Breathing:
* Find a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down.
* Bring your attention to the sensations of your breath entering and leaving your body.
* Notice the rise and fall of your chest or abdomen.
* If your mind wanders, gently redirect your attention back to your breath.
What works best for you to help bring you back to center?
Focus
Now, I am going to try to focus on what I can do. Rather than trying to tackle everything at once, what is the next step I could take that will lead more to where I want to go?
Acceptance:
Acknowledge that you can’t control everything, and focus on the things you can influence. For example, if one of your goals is health, drink a glass of water or do a couple few chair squats while in the office.
Positivity Rules the Day:
Replace those negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Focus on your strengths and abilities in the moment. What are you good at? Let’s start with this. Do you need to make a few phone calls? Make a list of top 3 tasks to work through today? Keep is simple and strong.
Seek Help:
If possible, ask others to help free up your time and reduce your workload to something more manageable. At work, do you have team members or employees who can complete some of the items on your list for you? At home, do you have older children or teenagers who can contribute to the household chores?
I have found there is not one answer, but the smallest step is better than nothing at all. I know from experience that I will feel better doing 5 wall push-ups and drinking a glass of water than sitting in a chair all day. Or, If I write one blog post 😉 to connect with the world, I will feel less alone and more productive.
I hope this helps you as much as it helped me to write it down! Have a beautiful day!
