In the middle of busy seasons, life can seem be totally unbalanced. This goes for anyone, but in coaching, the unbalanced seasons can seem especially extreme.
In the midst of work, running errands, juggling kids, and making sure everyone is fed and clean all while our husbands are working crazy coaching hours (possibly on top of another job), we often feel totally overwhelmed, but force ourselves to go on as if nothing is wrong.
Tina Fey put it well when she said, “‘Blorft’ is an adjective I just made up that means 'Completely overwhelmed but proceeding as if everything is fine and reacting to the stress with the torpor of a possum.' I have been blorft every day for the past seven years.” If you’re like me, you probably laughed at this statement, but as hysterical as it is, can any of you relate to this feeling? I know I can.
In the busyness of life it can be so easy to allow the stress and overwhelm we are feeling to dictate everything. We are totally in survival mode and forget the basics, like taking care of ourselves or even just taking a moment to decompress. We begin to feel “blorft” (Tina Fey).
Finding healthy outlets to decompress and relax is important. When you’re feeling the need to decompress but can’t figure out how to actually do that, here are some simple methods to pause and reset.
Take a deep breath (or five).
Do it with me. Deep inhale, slow exhale. Repeat. Taking some deep breaths is one of my favorite ways to decompress when I’m feeling especially overwhelmed and stressed. It releases so much tension and anxiety and helps clear my mind. Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, force yourself to stop whatever you’re doing and take some deep breaths. As simple as it is, you might be amazed at how much better you feel.
Go for a walk.
Just getting your body moving and breathing in the fresh air can make a huge difference in your focus and how you feel. Aside from the obvious physical benefits of walking, health experts agree that taking a daily walk can increase creativity, improve memory and lower rates of depression and anxiety (NBC). Next time you need to decompress, try going outside for even just a short walk!
Take a bath or a shower.
Not only will this give you the chance to clean up, but a warm bath or shower can also be incredibly relaxing and refreshing. The warm water can help release muscles that are tense from stress or activity, which is likely something all of us need some help with (Source)!
Write down what you’re feeling.
Sometimes my mind gets so overwhelmed that I have a difficult time sorting out the thoughts that are swirling around in my head, but when I write, it allows me to separate those thoughts and put them down clearly on paper. For me, this is one of the best ways I can decompress. If you’re feeling extremely overwhelmed, try grabbing a journal and jotting down what you’re feeling, or use it to try to organize the overwhelming things that are floating around in your head.
Stretch it out.
Until I actually allow myself the time to stretch and take care of my body, I don’t typically realize how much tension I am carrying. I have found that some gentle stretching or yoga movements are invaluable ways for me to decompress and take care of my body. It allows me to focus on something other than what is overwhelming me, it uses deep breathing techniques which are great for de-stressing and it loosens and strengthens the tired muscles in my body. Next time you’re feeling tense, try to incorporate some gentle yoga movement into your day and see how much better you might feel!
As wives, moms, and coaches' partners, we tend to lead busy lives. In the craziness, allow yourselves to be okay with taking care of yourself. Be okay with taking a few moments to decompress. Even just a quick moment of taking care of yourself will make a difference and is so important!