 |
| Image: Unsplash |
And just like you, I'm also stressed. Back in 2018, I was diagnosed with clinical depression and severe anxiety; I was taking up medications to improve my mind's being but then I realized that NONE OF IT HELPED ME.
So I was stuck!
Days turned into months, months turned into years- I lead me to my rock-bottom. It was horrible and I realized that the only way for me to cope with this situation is to work, work and work. I don't address my mental state nor recognize my emotions because at that time my mindset is "I'm a single mom, I have no time for this" but this leads me to frustrations and leads me to feel not motivated to do anything. I came to a point wherein I wake up feeling pumped up and when I'm trying to do it seems like all motivations and inspirations were gone in thin air.
That also made me realize that it's time to finally press the pause button and reflect, heal and go back to my roots so that I can show more of myself.
There are so many things I did in order to achieve a healthier mind, but I broke it down to these 6 simple steps which are doable and achievable.
1. Take a day off and Do NOTHING
This is the first thing to do because based on my own experience, the stress came from the things I normally do every single day. As a single mom, like me, my tasks are very much repetitive- waking up, do morning tasks at work, be a mom then go back to become an entrepreneur/employee/freelancer.
All of this made me feel so tedious from my day-to-day task.
It's extremely necessary for you to give yourself a break. It will make your body and mind relax, calm down and also, it'll be a perfect time to reflect on yourself and how you treat it these past few days. In my case, I use this time to sleep and relax ALL DAY but it also gives me more ideas for my business, my content and career.
2. Social Media Detox
Social media is a part of everyone's life. It keeps us updated, be on the loop and keep in touch with our family miles and miles away. However, it also lead us to feel insecure, frustrated and bad for ourselves.
It's very important to take a break from this chaotic online world and go back to the reality of life. There's more out there, we just don't really put attention to it.
When I was a kid, growing up, my family are actually spending time together- going out on the restaurants and such but I realized that even if we are together in one place, our spirit and mind are still engaged to our mobile phones which doesn't make us feel connected at all.
When I had our own family, we often schedule staycations for various reasons: reconnect with our family and grow deeper connection and for relaxation as well. On our first trials, we actually still engage ourselves from mobile phones and to be honest, it was a painful process since my life really revolves on digital marketing and social media management.
But as we have learned to put our phones off and take time to bond as a family, Jerico and I had a better relationship since we can communicate more verbally and we also have a stable relationship with our son, Edmund.
3. Have a Relaxing Bath
Have you ever realized when you become a mom, you tend to sacrifice your bath time for your son?
In the past, I spend at least an hour or even more to take a bath but now, 5 minutes is the maximum time to enjoy a bath because as soon as my son hears me go inside the bathroom, he will cry like crazy.
I realized that it is never should be like that- I need to focus on my hygiene as well. When we have a relaxing bath, we put attention to our hygiene more and also when we take time on taking a bath, we are making a good connection to ourselves- which is very important.
On my case, I normally take a long bath most especially when I need to do creative process when I am bathing, I am relaxed as ever and then the ideas will start flowing. It was divine and pure.
4. Get Some Sleep
"I deprive myself of getting enough sleep"
Repeat it with me! The first thing we need to do is accept the reality that we don't get enough sleep on a daily basis. If you're a working mom, I know exactly what you feel. Last year, I work full time in an advertising company in Makati and imagine, living in the North makes it extremely challenging for me to get enough sleep. I used to wake up at around 4 o'clock in the morning and have to be on the road at 5 in order to be on time at work by 8am then I will leave my home at 5 o'clock in the afternoon and will arrive home at 9pm.
So imagine how much time I really spend on sleeping- absolutely NONE!
This made me reflect on my priorities and start working from home- it was the best decision EVER!
If we don't get enough sleep, although I know as a mom (single moms especially) we don't get enough sleep because we need to keep up with 2 responsibilities as one. I get you and I was and still am but I make sure that I get myself enough sleep.
So the question is: I'm a full time working mom, how can I get enough sleep, it's hard.
Well, during your day off, make sure to get enough sleep as well and never do anything related to work.
5. Have a Gratitude Journal
I started my journal in 2020 but it was a different take- I write my frustration and then put learnings on it and realizations as to how I can refrain myself to not experience this ever again.
I highly recommend this for everyone because it will constantly remind you that you have overcome this situation and you can again face and surpass this circumstance again.
I also realized that every single day, we experience different things whether good or bad; always find a silver lining out of everything because I highly believe that everything happens for a reason and God won't let you experience something if it won't give you wisdom or learning.
6. Compliment Yourself Every Morning
I know that life can be stressful most time but know this: If you plant your mind negative seeds, it will eventually lead you to bear negative fruits.
This is very important that we start our day on a positive note in order for us to feel motivated, empowered and inspired which is why we need to nurture yourself with positivity in that way, you can also gain positivity to other people.
If you feel so exhausted or unmotivated because you're so burn out, learn to say good things to yourself: "I'm responsible", "I'm hardworking".
When I was younger, I feed myself this negativity that "I deserve to be in this bad situation" but it's not supposed to be like that, I wish I could've learned to be good to myself and find learnings to this circumstance. I wish I could've educated myself with "What can I do for this situation" instead of accepting that this is my end.
I hope you won't experience this.
7. De-Clutter
If you're a sentimental person like me, I know that it's hard to just let things go.
But know this, a healthy environment will result in a healthy mind.
Try to reflect this situation: When you are working, and see your loads of laundry in your peripheral, wouldn't it trigger you to stop your work and do the laundry first? Yes, this is what I mean.
A good and organized environment will increase your productivity and it's good therapy for your mind as you let go of all the past and at the same time, when you see your place that has a good ambience, it will give us a wonderful and rewarding feeling.
8. Always Be Grateful
I never realized this until now- we need to be thankful for everything because we just don't realize that there are good things in life because we are surrounding ourselves with negativity- frustrations, insecurity and self-pity.
Know this, the people around us will give us two benefits: they would lead us to success and will teach us wisdom that we can carry through until we got older.
I didn't nurture this idea when I on my rock-bottom but after joining seminars related to self-healing and empowerment, I realized that these situations are connected to each other and served as a stepping stone to gain my breakthrough.
Always be thankful for everything.
0 comments