Quick recharges so you can keep moving
Yesterday I didn’t get enough sleep. With a copywriting deadline on the horizon, I started tapping out the thoughts while Google Drive juddered away.
I took a quick detour into AI for some research. That detour led to another. And another. I felt myself tumbling into the darkness of the machine.
Rosie O’Donnell, the American comedian and talk show host, has just moved to Ireland.
I watched her late-night Irish talk show appearance (via YouTube) to explain why.
I searched how many other celebrities had left the USA because of Trump. Turns out quite a few.
The pebbles started to slide. Dirt filled the cracks. The exit path from the rabbit hole disappeared.
I don’t own a television. My family and I are keen to preserve the childhoods of our children and protect our psyches.
Watching the O’Donnell interview made me feel sad. And scared.
The United States has fallen into fascism.
The mood lingered after I walked to the primary school to collect my son from school. My usual energy for exuberant play just wasn’t there.
Then I remembered I hadn’t had enough sleep.
So what to do?
If you can’t get enough sleep, do yoga nidra.
This is Factory Reset button number one. Get an energy reset with Yoga Nidra.
Ally Boothroyd is my favourite because she has a free Yoga Nidra channel full of various-length clips and a soothing Canadian accent.
They directly stimulate the vagus nerve, promoting a response that reduces stress and enhances relaxation.
You don’t need permission. Just organise yourself so you can do it.
There’s only one person in the world you need to look after.
Oh, but I have kids, how selfish.
No.
If you don’t look after yourself, you can’t look after anyone else.
So if you feel overwhelmed, or depressed, or sad, do yoga nidra.
Take ten minutes of Ally Boothroyd for a deep reset. No one will begrudge you, not even your six-year-old, if you make them a deal.
Just listen to the voice. Do what she says.
Place your awareness on your tongue. The tip of your tongue. The root of your tongue.
A moment later, I was rubbing my thumb against my index finger as a ‘come back to earth’ trick.
Then I was ready to play!
We skipped to the shop to buy his one-dollar prize of the day.
We walked along the sparkling gingerbread wall of the church, ran up Pocket Rocket mountain, a grove of cockatoo-filled she-oaks, and climbed down a precarious shortcut — the tree root ladder.
At home, we made a hilarious game of flinging ourselves onto a tower of new pillows still in their plastic. They crunched and popped. It felt great. Mainlining joy like a child.
Do something you love every day.
My friend and yours, Mel Robbins, said this recently. When you feel overwhelmed or in despair, it’s easy to focus on everything that’s not working.
So add one thing to your day that’s positive. Do something that you love.
This is the second button for your factory reset. It will refocus your whole day and create a better mindset.
Research says that one thing can make up for a mountain of negativity. A brighter mindset will improve not only your mental health, but also your blood pressure, blood sugar, and other physical health markers.
Squeeze in a belly laugh if you can. (Or a mild guffaw if that’s all you can muster.)
Everything’s is easier when you get enough rest and add one fun thing to your day.
Phew, you dragged yourself out
If you’re living amidst the turmoil, turn off the TV. Don’t watch internet TV either. Step aside and focus on you. Then you can plan your resistance with a clearer head and a bit more energy.
You’ve successfully navigated away from the overwhelming darkness and reconnected with your essential self. You’ve activated the factory reset buttons, returning to a state of rejuvenation and happiness.
Remember, with adequate rest and elevated emotions, everything becomes more manageable! One last thing, You’re Amazing! 😍
