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As life is slowly starting to resemble some sort of new normal, nobody knows for certain what the future has in store for us. And although you might not be able to control what’s happening in the world, the good news is that you are in charge of what you choose to focus on and prioritise.
You know how they say you’re never given more than you can handle?
Though I’ve found that to be true, it doesn’t mean it won’t have you questioning how the heck you’re going to get through challenging times.
If the last few months have tested your limits as a parent and you’re simply feeling exhausted, then you’re definitely not alone.
Being a parent on any given day is a full-time job.
Add to that managing your family’s health and well being during a global pandemic plus trying to stay positive if you’re also having to deal with money stress… it can easily overwhelm you, dull your zest for life, and take you out of your A-game.
Black Dog Institute says financial stress weighs on our nation. Nearly four in five Australians say their mental health has deteriorated since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Numerous studies have cited financial stress as a major cause of depression and even suicide.
As money stress is a major source of relationship breakdowns and contributes to health stress, what if there was a way to prevent this?
As a former international flight attendant during 9/11, I’ve experienced firsthand how an unexpected crisis can shake people to their core as their security and safety are threatened, much like the coronavirus has disrupted the livelihood of millions in Australia alone.
It also provided me with excellent training in taking good care of not just my body, but also my emotional and mental well being.
Having coached quite a few mumpreneurs over the years, one of their biggest challenges is giving to the point of depletion… which zaps the joy out of parenting, and anything else for that matter, faster than you can count to three.
Putting on your own oxygen mask before helping anybody else?
It doesn’t just apply at 35,000 feet.
Perhaps it’s even more important now than ever before to put this into practice in everyday living.
Just as you wouldn’t expect your car to keep driving on an empty tank, you’ve got to fill your own cup if you want to keep on giving.
So how do you do this?
Besides the obvious things like pampering body treatments or making sure you have regular date nights to keep the romance alive that led to you being parents in the first place…
Here are 10 simple yet effective self care tips to turn your stress levels down and bring more joy into your life, no matter what’s going on in the world.
- Please allow yourself to claim regular Me-time, even if that doesn’t include your family. And allow your partner and kids to do the same. Everyone has their own way of recharging so find what works for you and then make that a priority at least once a week. We all know what happens when you wait until you have time… so go on, claim it!
- Count your blessings and find things to appreciate… in yourself and others. If you’ve been at odds with your partner or kids then consider writing them a love note with the things you truly appreciate about them. This has transformed many a stressed relationship…and also works like a charm when you write down all the things you appreciate about yourself.
- No matter how exhausted you’re feeling right now, your body has a remarkable capacity to restore balance. Sometimes it just requires your loving collaboration instead of the inner drill sergeant pushing you to keep going…
Ask yourself: What do I require right now?
You can also ask your body what it requires.
The answers will come… it may take some practice to hear them. And when you do, please love yourself enough to act on your inner guidance, even if it makes no sense to your mind.
- If you’re feeling fine one moment and then all of a sudden you’re overcome with fatigue or can’t stop worrying, ask yourself:
‘Who does this belong to? If it’s not mine, return to sender.’
This may seem like a strange thing to ask yet you’d be gob-smacked by how much you actually pick up from others, including their fears, worries and even physical symptoms. Ever walked into a room where you can sense people have just argued yet when you ask them if everything’s okay, they tell you they’re fine?
Yet you can feel something is a bit ‘off’…
Return to sender. You’ll know it wasn’t yours when you feel instantly lighter.
- As Anne Lamott says: Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.
Simple yet true. Breathe in peace and exhale all your worries. Go outside, be in nature, move your body, try kundalini yoga, meditate, have a bath or warm shower, call a friend, do something FUN. Fill your Joy Tank.
- If you’re stressed about money, then instead of wondering HOW you’re going to solve your current money challenges… STOP.
And instead ask yourself:
What will it take to resolve this situation?
By asking this question, you’re also activating your courage to step outside your comfort zone into unknown territory. And you might just discover solutions you’d never even considered before.
- Shift your perspective. One simple way to do this is to lean forward and let your arms dangle as you look at the world from this upside down perspective. Plus it rushes some fresh blood to your brain!
Or get up from your usual spot and sit in a different chair or room. If you can go out again, change location. Nothing like a change of scenery to inspire you.
- If you’ve lost your spark, then why not make a list of 100 new or different things you’d like to do or experience before you die. And then start doing them.
This is also a great bonding exercise to create deeper intimacy with your partner, as well as a fun way to come up with memorable experiences as a family. You each get your turn at choosing one thing from the list each week.
Even if it wasn’t as much fun as you’d thought it would be, then you’ll at least know from experience and can probably have a good laugh about it.
If some of the things aren’t possible yet, like overseas travel, then why not start planning your trip and maybe even create a vision board? Half the fun is in exploring the possibilities…
- Remember that you were born for these times. You matter and what’s important to you matters. You have within you everything you’ll ever require to thrive, succeed and be happy. So give yourself permission to receive the support and resources you require to make your dreams come true.
- Above all else, find what lights you up and then go be and do that in the world in whichever way you can. When you’re doing what you love, you might just inspire others to join you. And nothing energises you more than feeling fully alive when living on purpose.
What else is possible now?…
Tina van Leuven is passionate about helping others experience more joy in every aspect of their life, including their finances. She brings 30+ years experience of powerful energy healing and mindset tools to het practical out-of-the-box coaching style to help her clients quickly change focus from scarcity thinking to questioning what else is possible, which opens doors they might not have seen before.
To connect with Tina and to surround yourself with others who believe in you and will cheer you on through good and bad times, come join her growing online global community at Soulfood Sanctuary to increase your joy, prosperity and abundance. https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfoodsanctuary/ or learn more at https://tinavanleuven.com
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