FEELING OVERWHELMED?

So many of us experience overwhelming thoughts. Sometimes it seems that our mind may be racing, and it's hard to focus on our day to day tasks. We can have a full agenda, but still be unable to accomplish priorities. What do you do to find focus?

Adding a centering moment to your day can help anytime your mind is feeling overwhelmed. A centering moment is a few minutes during the day where you put down your work, put down your cell phone, and close that laptop. You find a quiet space, hopefully in a comfortable chair. Otherwise you can stand in an area where others are not around you. It is from this quiet space that you launch into that centering moment.

There are so many ways to slow down racing thoughts and feel that centering moment. First, bring your focus to your body. Feel your feet on the floor. Feel your body relax into your chair. Let go of the stress in your shoulders and release your jaw. 

Once you feel that your body has relaxed, next we can bring similar relaxation to your mind. Focus first on your breath. This will help you find your way back to that centering moment anytime you need it. Fill your body with air. Don't lift your shoulders, but rather feel your lungs and your abdomen fill with that breath. Breathe in for a count of two. Then exhale for a count of four.

Continue breathing in and filling your body with breath, and exhale that worry and stress. Stay in this repetition of shorter inhales and longer exhales for up to 5 minutes. You may try just one minute the first time, but then slowly add to your time. 

The idea is not to change your entire way of thinking to manage this stress. Instead, we can start small. Only 5 minutes to slow your thoughts, slow your day, and then return to your tasks from a rested and refreshed sense of self.