Some of my clients are feeling different levels of exhaustion. They say they’re “doing fine,” but when we go further it’s clear they need some breaks. They’re juggling work and family with all the goals, pressures, deadlines, needs for attention and creative thinking driving them, tugging at them. Layer on top paying attention to the news and, as one said, “I go from anxiety to rage and back again in split seconds. It’s driving me nuts. But I can’t NOT pay attention to what’s happening in the news.”
Yes, but… If you continue to do what you’re doing the way you’re doing it, what will you be like weeks, months from now? Think about that. What will you be like? And what impact will it have on your family, your work, your life?
What can you do about it? Here’s something I tried. I was surprised this week at how soundly I slept two nights in a row because I went for a half-hour walk around 8:30 pm. I wore my treasured lighted hat (I’ll gladly send you a link if you’d like a ballcap type hat with lights under the brim), carried my phone (ringer off) and key. Off I went for a walk in the neighborhood. I walked slow, fast and in between. It felt good to be out and moving. Grateful for street lights. Walked in the middle of the street at times to be away from bushes, scary dark areas. I came home hot and sweaty but feeling good. My sleep at 11:30 (caught up in a good book the last half hour), was sound, and I felt better in the morning.
Walking unwinds me. Any time, actually. It’s my therapy. I think the air goes in one ear and out the other. I like to listen to the different sounds, feel the slight breeze (grateful when there is one!), look up at the sky, down at the pavement. The steady rhythm of my footsteps allows my brain to explore macro and micro. I’ve been amazed at the breakthroughs that have come to mind unexpectedly.
We all need something to help us unwind. What are you doing?
