Almost overnight, our “to-do” lists can change from manageable to overwhelming. We can stay on top of things well enough during the steady weeks between holidays, but interruptions can feel like drastic slowdowns when they begin to pile up. The time of year is a huge factor in how well we are able to manage our commitments. Summer means that school’s out, the a/c is on and the clock is ticking on soaking up that quality time before another tumble into the big holiday quarter. Next up on many of our calendars are big travel plans, family time, and high-dollar dinner planning. Many working adults feel the sensation of the months zooming past and begin asking “What’s next?” earlier and earlier in the year. 

Taking it easy is rarely simple. During high tensity times in our lives, the common advice we see for total wellness is to “drink water” and “get lots of sleep”. While these things are certainly important for our physical and mental wellness, they do not necessarily “solve” the issues we are having with the chaos we may be experiencing. In fact, there may not be a “solution” at all, and coming to terms with that can feel concerning. 

When the going gets tough, the tough lean on their resources to get going. By taking a mental inventory of the support we have at our disposal, we can better prioritize the things that need our attention and clear some of our mental fog. Some of these support systems are personal, and some require the help of others. Regardless of the path we take, the goal is always stability and peace of mind.

Personal

We have in ourselves the capacity to do incredible things, to come up with just the right solution in the knick of time, and to reorganize our expectations to find joy in our situations regardless of the barriers we face. The goals we have achieved and the problems we have already conquered can serve as our personal pieces of evidence that we can continue to achieve victory over our struggles. 

This kind of self-reassurance is critical in building ourselves up when we feel overwhelmed by our challenges.  Negative thought processes, especially about ourselves, can slow us down and drastically lessen our ability to lean on coping mechanisms. Clinical psychologist Anna Prudovski, M.A. speaks very passionately on why we should acknowledge but not put too much stock in these thought patterns. Trying to lean on past experiences is one thing but, when it comes to self-negativity, Dr. Prudovski postulates that “even if your thought is 100% true, ask yourself if engaging with it helps you, or does it bring more problems and misery?”. If the ultimate goal is peace and comfort, this may mean allowing ourselves to let certain thoughts release, dismiss the unhelpful and just keep going. 

The first thing to go for many of us when the stressors start to pile up is physical health. Doing nothing can feel like running our mind under warm water and clearing away all the cobwebs we have built up. 

It is important to our mental health to recognize that rest is okay. Choosing ourselves sometimes is the smartest thing we can do. Taking care of our bodies by giving ourselves permission to truly rest is a preventive measure that works time and time again. Many doctors over the years have quoted the adage “If you do not take time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness.” mental wellness starts with being able to be present for its upkeep. 

Outreach

Sometimes our mental clarity is suffering so greatly that being present enough for our mental well-being is a challenge. The adage “two heads are better than one” comes in handy at times like these. 

Leaning on an outside perspective for clarity is a viable and psychologically supported way to help us regain our sense of peace and clarity. Talking something out can lead us to different mental pathways we had not considered when struggling alone and being able to explain our situation to a neutral party can amplify our understanding of our own conditions.

Validation also helps us greatly in the act of processing our emotions. When someone can listen without offering advice and simply empathize with the position we are in, it can do wonders for our processing ability and sense of self-worth. There is nothing more freeing than feeling like you can really talk to someone who relates to you and is cheering you on no matter what.

We deserve to enjoy life in every season! No matter how we get there, we should always strive for peace, clarity and well-being!

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