Overwhelmed? You’re not alone.
One of the most common things I hear from clients who come to me for stress-relieving hypnosis or a meditation class is that they feel overwhelmed and exhausted, and that they are looking to selfcare because they want to feel better.
They’ve taken the first step, reaching out and admitting that they need support to help them cope better.
In the fast-paced world we live in now, we have far more information and distractions flying our way daily than previous generations, and it’s therefore vital to understand that there are tools we all need to use if we are to be the best versions of ourselves and live healthy lives.
I’m sharing this because peace of mind isn’t just going to happen unless you make it a priority. It will happen in brief moments when you go for a walk or have a massage, and even during exercise, but a more sustainable sense of calmness will only be available to you if you consciously train your mind.
To have clarity and less stress in your daily life, you have to be disciplined and prioritise downtime. This will enable you to build new habits and improve your mental health by strengthening the mind like you would any muscle.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve shared the importance of ‘making time’ in my talks and meditations. It’s important to schedule time to firstly learn mind tools, and then to actually use them consistently throughout the day – only then will you reap the benefits fully.
Try this now: Stress reliever
To train your mind to support you in the best way possible, you must be two things: disciplined and persistent. Below is one of the most helpful mindfulness tools I know – you can easily use it throughout the day. It’s called STOP and each letter stands for…
S is for stop – literally, stop what you are doing for a moment. Wait to send that email and don’t pick up the phone.
T is for take a breath – or take a few. This will allow you to create space between the situation and you. You’ll be able to respond later rather than immediately react. Just let the breath flow in and out of your nose.
O is for observe – allow yourself to simply observe what thoughts, feelings and emotions are present in your mind and know that they’re just that. They may be uncomfortable sometimes, but reminding yourself that they’re not facts and that they’ll pass helps ease the worry. Observe how you’re feeling. Name the emotion you are feeling, as this can help ease it.
P is for proceed – when you’re ready, proceed with your day. Send the email or make yourself a comforting cuppa before you carry on with your daily routine.
This little exercise is super powerful and a great mindfulness tool to have up your sleeve. Use it whenever you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed. It works best when used as a prevention tool.
What to read this month
Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss
I am a huge fan of Tim Ferriss’ books – The 4-hour body and The 4-hour Work Week provided me with some great tools, and I realised I was in for a treat with this one too! Tim has masterfully pulled together the secrets to a successful and happy life, using his own experiences and knowledge from other experts who he’s interviewed on his popular podcast. If you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself highlighting paragraphs in the book.
What’s fascinating, but not surprising, to read is that ‘more than 80 percent of the interviewees have some sort of daily mindfulness meditation’ and many other traits in common. The book’s huge, and probably not one that you’ll read in one go. The chapters are short and easy to digest, and one of the chapters I’m obsessing over right now is one with advice from Arnold Schwarzenegger – it’s so fascinating. You’ll receive guidance for business, as well as learn how to obtain a healthy diet and body. If you’re looking to expand your mindset and learn from some of the greatest experts out there, you’re going to love this book.
