By, Tia Cristy

Ways to Defuse When Life Becomes Too Much

The hustle and bustle of life gets to all of us at some point. It doesn’t matter what your priorities are whether it’s the job, kids, relationships, finances, pets, etc. Sometimes, any and all of it can be overwhelming and frustrating causing you to feel stressed. Here’s a few proven options to defuse before you derail.

Reduce Multitasking

Multitasking was taught to be a good thing, but some studies have recently shown the overload it can put onto the brain when already experiencing stress. Misfires in the brain cause anxiety and depression. Stop the chances of this by taking a step back when you can. Allocate time for each project or priority instead of trying to do them all at the same time. Here’s an example of multitasking without multitasking—laundry. You put a load of clothes in the washer. Well, you’re not going to sit and stare at the machine until it’s done. However, there’s a timer on when you can jump back onto that task and switch the clothes into the dryer. Here’s a bad example of multitasking—making important, yet unrelated, phone calls while paying the bills. It causes the mind to drift into too many directions. A great tip to keep you on track is to set an alarm on your phone, if you must.

Make Time for Yourself, Make Time for Others

Feeling like you’re being pulled into every direction and not having time to take care of yourself can damage your self-esteem as well as your heath. I always say, we need to take care of ourselves before we can take care of others properly. We can try, but it might not be our best they’ll receive. But with that in mind, don’t go all selfish, and forget about others. Not making time for others can lead to guilt, depression, anxiety, etc. You need to maintain a healthy balance on the time you allot for self and others. Sometimes you will find the perfect way to balance both at the same time, like a spa day with the girls or a sporting event with the boys. The most important thing is to not spread yourself too thin.

Feed Yourself. Feed Your Brain

It’s true if you aren’t eating right, you might be lacking in some serious nutrients you need to maintain a healthy mind. I commend those that have restricted diets like vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc. However, remember those diets can result in a lack for certain vitamins that can affect your brain-power. When on special diets it’s necessary to consult with a nutritionist to see if you must add supplements into your diet so you can continue to feed your brain.

Another way to feed your brain beyond supplements is to take time out to read a book, do a puzzle, play games. A lot of folks turn to their phones and fall into the social media time warp. This is not the best use of feeding your brain. Drama and negativity has been shown to reduce positive brain functions which can result in causing more stress and depression. So, I’m not saying to stop social medias. I’m saying, don’t get trapped into the pitfalls of misery looking for company that can cross your newsfeeds. And regardless of the many inspirational quotes your come across, don’t let it swallow your time. Most people feel guilty for not accomplishing something due to spending too much time on their social pages. Set an alarm for that task too, if you must.

Not Enough Time in the Day for Doctors

Making time for check ups and appointments is totally important. Think of yourself just as important as your vehicle. If your car needed a checkup, you’d make it happen. So, you need to do it for yourself too. The last thing most of us want to do is take time off for a dentist or a physician, but we eventually will, …at some point. However, overworked, overstressed people aren’t making time for mental health. It’s a serious epidemic in the country and we need to be more diligent in our brain health. In our fast paced society of phone accessible, why not try a therapy app like Talkspace. Taking a moment out of your week to clear your mind with a professional might be just what you need.

Conclusion

Speaking of talking, make sure you communicate with your spouse or partner if you are feeling stressors. Communicating with loved ones can relieve some of the pressure you are carrying on your own. If pressures in life a work build, be sure to defuse for a moment. It can be as simple as going for a walk as a family while leaving the overwhelming messes behind for twenty-minutes. If you need alone time, take a bath, grab a cup of coffee or take an hour and a half to watch that light-hearted movie. There’s always something to do in the day that we feel needs to be done. However, there is only one you, so treat yourself and your mind right. You do this, and you’ll be able to see the important things more clear.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.