Topic: Roller Coaster Ride 2020 …Always ON!!
How does one turn off the ‘Always On’ button?
It just feels like I’ve been on this roller-coaster ride for most of my adult life … but this year 2020 has been the most stressful year for most of us, needless to say. Living in the 21st century, always on. It seems like we constantly doing something. There’s just no time to do nothing… sit still for a moment. Some of us are at that place where you can’t go on holiday, its seem like you have so much on your platter but so little time, but you desperately need one, which is where I am at this point in time. So,I just figured you know what? One should just go on holiday at home… turn off that ‘Always On Button’.
Why not go on holiday at home?
Source: www.istock.com
Grace under pressure
If you have been following my blogs you might recall we adopted a homeless cat… or we thought, lol turns out she was the neighbours cat. Be that as it may Amy Kitty moved in with us. Amy Kitty and her four adorable kittens are a story on their own… (see previous blog). Guess what? Now I am the mom of little ones all over, I can relate to moms of babies and children who says I don’t have any time to myself. You know, I think I am going to have a shower; would you believe the kittens also want to take a shower… use the loo or brush their teeth with me. That’s how moms feel at times, overwhelmed, you just don’t have break, there’s this constant demand for your attention. It feels like you just want to run away but where to? It seems there’s just no escape, talk about Lockdown!!
So as a professional, running a non-profit organisation, studying and family life; having to put all this together, it seems like there is just never a time to take it easy. Looking back to 2019 I had a very demanding year and like many others thought 2020 was going to be my year! Last year I submitted my master’s thesis only to discover that my work had to be assessed for approval and after much deliberation and sleepless nights throughout 2020 the thesis was completed and submitted and at last, I can say it is finished!
Added to this of course I was out there working in the mall behind a screen and mask; fundraising amidst tight security guards, watching our empty donation box… “times are tough” I hear all the time in response to my polite request for donation to help to feed a hungry family in crisis during the COVID 19 Pandemic.
My life in a nutshell: Fundraising in the mall, school visits and community outreach in the midst of COVID 19, commuting back home in the traffic, getting back into the kitchen as the a la carte chef at Chez la Vie cooking up a storm! (Best to check out my Facebook page for the menu) and needless to say being online Zooming around the world 24/7 to connecting with the global community…. the To Do list is endless.
It seems like I have been on this treadmill forever… I had to find a place to relax, I figured I need to do relaxation exercises’, which has been a lifesaver… without my yoga and daily prayer time I would never be able to keep the pace going… If you need to unwind why not join me for a stress relief exercise, let’s do a practice session now shall we?
Relaxation Exercise
Mid-week break-away-Holiday at home…
Let’s make a date just with yours truly no cell phones, watch your all-time movie, mine is Garfield, l don’t need to get all scientific to tell your that laughter is the best medicine. Dig out that old children’s story and read yourself a bed-time story, I love Heidi…you got to just be a child for a day…let go and relax the mind, imagine you have nothing better to do… just try it switch off the cell phone, I promise the world is not going to end while your cell phone is off. While you are watching the movie or reading your book; just be fully present enjoy the moment. That makes me think about chocolate… try this with me …unwrap the chocolate, smell it, taste it, you might just discover new taste buds…. Enjoy the present…chocolate has been known to be an aphrodisiac amongst other things… Just have a do-nothing day! It helps to release the brakes, it helps to get rid of that inner tension, that feeling of being so stressed, just say today I am going to say NO to the world and YES to me! Just do it try this exercise, don’t take it from me… it will relax you so much, you guaranteed to sleep better no more waking up in the middle of the night.
I find something sorely lacking in our busy lives is …FUN… it one of the basic needs of a balanced life, along with Survival, Love and Belonging, Power, and Freedom as identified by William Glasser, MD.
So if you can’t go for a walk or a hike in the forest why not go to the park, play a game of soccer or swing in the park with the kids… just do it even if you the only adult in the park… you will find that you actually love it and do it more often… there’s a host of benefits to play… Play is said to release feel good endorphins ( chat some more about that next time).
So why not say,“today I’m going to the movies by myself, just try it get that childrens’ story book, find it, the hard copy, just do this exercise no computer screen, no cell phone and be a child for a day, have FUN!
Go to the country in your own garden, back-yard or bedroom, stop the clock and enjoy the present moment… Just take a holiday even if its just one day “Take a Holiday”Play that old CD, and allow the music to take your on a trip……
Benefits of music: Relieves stress, reduces anxiety, and depression, reduces agitation, and lightens the mood. Dr Jonathan Graff Radford.
Reflection
Source: FB_IMG_15923047346740139
Bon Voyage… remember if your need a friend this festive season our counselling line is Always ON: 0835030902 or to book to a relaxation session email: info@beautifullifecommunity.co.za
On the lighter side of life: Someone stole my antidepressants, whoever they are, I hope they’re happy. Richard Scott
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Happy Holidays!🙂
Wendy La Vita