It's really easy to get sucked into busy. I watch people race around corners, speed talk into their phones, order lunch while texting. And I confess, I've been addicted to busy too.
Not long ago I was a single mom of two, and then started a business. If that wasn't enough, a few years after that I went back to school and then... Yes, the list continues but not for long because soon I'd blown my adrenals; too much stress.
Guess what that felt like? Having a constant panic attack. Instead of feeling no energy, I felt even more anxious, stressed out and crazed. Fortunately, I had a health practitioner who diagnosed it, and I didn't need anti-anxiety medication, just adrenal supplements. Almost immediately I felt calmer.
But here's the thing.
A pill helped me feel better but I had to change my lifestyle AND confess that I was addicted to busy.
Busy is very alluring. After all, busy made me feel important. I had calls to make, appointments to attend, people waiting for me, more emails in my inbox than I could read. I mattered. I had value. I was doing, doing, doing until I dropped.
So now what? How to manage busy with balance?
Well, balance is a word that didn't feel like it fit at all in my modern world. But when I started inserting small acts of self-care, rest and pleasure, it was easier for me to begin to release busy.
If you're willing to try and alleviate busy, just a little bit, here are some easy ideas to slot right in:
- Turn off the radio, close that magazine or newspaper and breathe.
- Do it for 5 minutes and count your breaths. Inhale one, exhale two until you get to 11. Then start over.
- Ignore the people staring at you or driving by.
- Focus on your breath. If you lose count, start over.
- This will clear your mind and allow you to feel more focused when you get to work.
- Eat an apple or a yogurt (something satisfying but healthy-ish).
- Don't look at your phone. In fact, don't even bring it.
- Just listen to the water, look at it and stop.
- If you do this, you'll be amazed at its ability to recharge you. The afternoon will be more productive, feel less stressed and fly by.
- Throw a Frisbee in your back yard or a nearby park with a spouse, friend or child.
- Dance around the living room to your favorite upbeat song.
- Play a board game like Clue, Pictionary or Twister instead of a computer one.
- Put on some uplifting music. Something that will kick you into happy.
- How about Beethoven's 9th Symphony and soar with Ode to Joy?
- If classical music isn't your thing, try some banjo picking blue grass or choral South African rhythms.
- Find something that will instantly put a smile on your face and make your heart sing.
- When you get home, you'll feel clear and ready for the next task.
- Try it first thing when you wake up or at any point throughout the day.
- Pick an affirmation that will calm you down.
- It could be "I am safe" Or "I easily and effortlessly get everything done."
- Maybe it's "Creativity flows through me" or I am surrounded by love."
- Take one of these or find a saying that feels good to you.
- When your mind starts with "I can't...." or "I have too much to do..." and you feel the anxiety rising, embrace your statement.
- Just repeat it over and over. Instantly the anxiety should lessen.
Let me know how it goes and if busy feels suddenly less so.