So I have to admit I've been having quite the odd week and an even stranger Thursday. All week my thoughts and emotions for the most part have been disjointed. The best way I can describe it is as television static, nothing received, nothing being sent, confusion and disarray. (Warning this will be the first of many cheesy metaphors to follow) It has been really hard to work this week, and I could feel my stress levels responding in kind to all of this, as I've been having a hard time concentrating on life and work. (That endless to -do list and the even more pressing "now")
I did something a little unexpected today and took a little pit-stop if you will. While racking my brain on how I would relieve this pressure and change my current state, I looked within myself and in my environment. I decided to put the brakes down on what I was working on and do something's that I would enjoy and some other things, that I've enjoyed in the past that I haven't done in a long time. I dusted off my old saxophone and played along to some new music I've discovered recently, meditated to some ambient music, and massaged my palms with Chinese Stress balls.
In the fog of all the things that have been pressing down on me this week, I gave myself the opportunity to actively do nothing and it was so liberating. Not too long ago my solution would have included copious amounts of alcohol, a temporary and loud reprieve, complete with massive headache and a return to all my problems the next morning. My breakthrough this evening was more holistic I found. A lot of the time when we are stressed we head to defcon one, we panic, and our solutions are usually more drastic than the situation itself. If we listen to our system though, we can find a lot of simple solutions within reach. Sometimes when we've overloaded our washing machines, a simple bump will suffice to put it back into a healthy equilibrium. (Last one I swear)
Simple comforts can be very powerful tools in stress management, and getting to know ourselves in general. Things we enjoy, things we've forgotten usually help renew us. Tonight I found a very efficient and neglected way to unclog my focus (sorry) doing stuff that I like, (who knew?) taking time to focus on myself, and mind. The word comfort comes from the French, with etymologic meaning tied to "that which brings strength" It can be so easy to forget ourselves when we are working on life's necessities, and without realizing it start to run on empty and are fighting our battles weakly. (For real, last one) Don't forget yourself in the process, and don't be afraid to take a time out, I promise you, your body and mind will thank you for it, and you will find those obstacles easier to deal with when you have renewed vigour and focus.
