3 Ways to Honor What You’re Feeling in a Busy World
Have you ever become so upset with someone that you can barely concentrate at work?
What about those days when you can barely keep your eyes open?
I think we have all been fatigued from too many hours studying, working, or taking care of family.
Then, our emotions become heightened and easily triggered.
Sometimes, it can be from lack of sleep.
We are too wired from all the caffeine we had just to keep busy all day and now sleep is impossible.
Maybe sleep eludes us regularly because we have chronic sleep apnea or insomnia.
Whatever the cause, it is affecting us in major ways.
Did You Know?
Some research studies have shown that when workers have slept for less than 5 hours before work or when workers have been awake for more than 16 hours, their chance of making mistakes at work due to fatigue are significantly increased.
Research has shown that the number of hours awake can be similar to blood alcohol levels. WorkSafeBC reports the following:
17 hours awake is equivalent to a blood alcohol content of 0.05
21 hours awake is equivalent to a blood alcohol content of 0.08 (legal limit in Canada)
24-25 hours awake is equivalent to a blood alcohol content of .10
My Story
Yesterday and today my energy level is REALLY low. It has made it difficult to focus mentally. I have so much work to get done but lethargy is taking over
I didn’t do more activity than usual over the weekend, but I feel like I’m dragging my body around.
I am so lethargic, all I feel like doing is sleeping.
I have friends and family that can just take a quick nap in the middle of the day.
They can go down for 20-30 minutes and feel refreshed.
A couple of them can just close their eyes while they are sitting in a chair and nap!
Well, I’m not one of these people.
I just can’t seem to nap during the day and especially not in a chair.
When I’m tired I just have to keep moving until bedtime.
You know those times when you can barely keep your eyes open?
This is not a feeling I’m accustomed to so it has been a struggle.
Plus, I have a very busy day planned so stopping is not an option.
“What if I were to honor myself right now…exactly the way I am?”
This was the question that popped into my head.
“What would that look like?”
When You Are Too Busy to Stop
What do you do when you feel one way but your schedule only allows keeping moving?
Here are some options:
1. R.A.I.N – Take a moment to recognize what you are feeling. Is it anger, sadness, grief, regret, or just low energy?
Where is it in your body? Take a moment to acknowledge it and investigate it.
Then, honor it. Sit with it. Ask who’s is it? Allow the question to just fade away. Send love to it…whatever it is at the moment.
2. Fire Breathing- I’ve done this in the car and it works like a charm.
Start by putting the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Then, take some deep breaths with the mouth closed.
Make sure it is hollow in the back of your throat. Then, push the exhale out quickly.
Push ALL the air out of your lungs in one push. Keep doing this faster and faster.
Don’t worry about the inhale. That will happen automatically. Do this for as long as you can. Then, go back to normal breathing.
3. Listen – Even five minutes can be effective.
Just sit and notice your breathing. I did this today. I’ve also done this on a break at work while others were smoking. You can go sit by a tree and just connect with nature.
Doing these 3 things to honor myself shifted my energy from lethargy to feeling energized.
It also moved some stuck emotions that were just hanging around. As I was breathing,
I could feel this subtle feeling of emptiness coming up and leaving.
It not only gave me the energy to finish my work, but it left me with more inspired ideas.
The important part is taking the time to honor yourself and where you are right now.
We can all take 5 minutes out of our day to check in.
It is a powerful exercise in giving to ourselves.
You can do it in the car, the bathroom, at your desk, outside. Get creative with it.
The energy can shift very quickly once you give it space.
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Also, if you’ve experienced feeling stuck in the past or symptoms of anxiety, visit Work With Misha.