By: Dr. Ceymone Dyce

 

There's a lot going on.

 

Do you ever have moments where you just raise your hands & ask "what else is going to happen!?"

#relatable #currently #sobsuncontrollably

Wellness is already a struggle when things are actually going okay, but what about when we're busy, overwhelmed, or just over it? When you're busy, taking care of yourself can feel like THE most daunting of tasks and something that can be placed on the back burner. As we become busier, the free time we have gets smaller and you want to make sure it is spent on things that matter. 

When you have a busy lifestyle, the last thing you want to think about is how to devote time you already don't have, to something that does not provide you instant gratification. The problem is, this mindset can become a habit: putting yourself second to last. Over time, this build up, spirals out, and now the toxic wave has taken over since you did not listen to your body. To get back on track, you want to focus on what is achievable, attainable, and practical for your busy routine. 

Positive Distraction:

Get intentional. Let’s go behind the scenes to show how to make a wellness plan work for you:

 

1. Navigate; Put systems into place to help you win before you are in the danger zone, otherwise known as the struggle. You should always have an emotional escape plan, IE coping skills in your wellness tool box. You may not always have the time to use them, but you should be aware of what they are. Don't be afraid to actually write them down either. Pro tip: utilize your mobile "notes" section for ideas and reminders. The goal for staying emotionally healthy when you have zero time is to keep the ideas tailored to your own needs and resources so that you can be consistent and head back to the land of the stress free.

 

2. Keep it brief; There's a reason why my work is grounded in the "bite-size" model; no one has time! You'd be surprised how small steps over time help to alleviate the mood and change your thoughts and feelings. Personally, I am a huge advocate for skin-care as a pillar of my wellness plan (PS have you seen Melissa Cugliari’s posts?) Some days I am just more interested in an activating bubbly face wash after my 14-hour work day or need a full 10-step routine to calm my nerves. Why? It's tailored to my routine, I can keep the process as long or as short as I need to, and it allows me to have a few moments of mindfulness twice a day. Recently, I have really enjoyed winding down with Tata Harper's resurfacing mask. The process of applying it, is really the best way for me to decompress after a long and strenuous day.

 

3. Micro-manage your free time; Huh? Yeah you read that right. Listen, you don't have much of it, so why would you not get selfish over the small minutes you actually do have? I suggest spending time with people who you actually believe are worth your energy and begin to filter out those who no longer serve you. From my perspective, free time is a lot like money- are you investing in the wrong circles?

 

4. Find support; Sometimes it's nice to know that you are not the only person dealing with what life is currently serving you. When you're busy, one of the last things you feel like doing is sounding like a broken record to people you feel may not even "get it". Finding support as wellness, is another under utilized method I think deserves a shoutout. There is nothing like a village of people who are like minded and lift one another up in a positive light. This can be anything from finding like minded online social communities to voice your opinion and interact with others, or actual weekly support groups in real life for challenges you may experience. Overall, the goal is to find relatable folks that sing your song; and sing it loud.

 

5. The power of pause; Patience has been my biggest teacher. When you're busy one of the hardest things may be to slow down. This can manifest in our thinking, speech, and even emotion. Allow yourself to pause and take a moment prior to a call of action. Give yourself an opportunity to evaluate and process. For example: you're trying to rush to the next deadline, but maybe you need to pause and utilize some of your deep breathing skills before you open that next email thread. There is an art to taking care of yourself and that does not mean it needs to be complicated. You've got this.

Thanks for checking in today friend. I’m already looking forward to our next session. 

Talk soon- Dr. Dyce