In our second episode of “Soulful Conversations with Gaia and Patti,” our monthly conversation of chatting with ease about life, we talked about Balancing Self-Care and How to Enhance it with Gratitude.
Gaia and Patti discuss:
*What Self-Care really is and to Enhance it with Gratitude
*What Self-care is to us
*What Gratitude has to do with Self-care
Let us know your thoughts about Self-Care and Gratitude.
Lately, I have been hearing that the “new” working from home has been very hard for some. They are saying they are working more hours then if they were in the office and it is leading to burnout and frustration.
Burnout is not fun. When you reach that point, you are exhausted physically, emotionally and mentally. Sometimes, you don’t even realize what happened. You have changed within. You feel confused, angry, and so tired of everything and everyone and no patience.
How did you get to this point?
High-achievers should continually be on the lookout for the warning signs of burnout because they don’t always see it coming. The doers are passionate about their work progress and tend to work long hours. They take on heavier workloads and put high expectations on themselves, which may lead to burnout if not monitored by pausing with some self-care techniques. Trying to be everything and anything to everyone, putting work 24/7 above rest, relaxation, a little fun, family, and friends. That’s how.
Is there a way to reverse it. Of course, but you have to take some time away from work mentally, emotionally, and physically. Not stepping away for a while could cost you your career, health, and relationships.
“Sometimes it takes an overwhelming breakdown to have an undeniable breakthrough”. ~ unknown
What is burnout?
It is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress.
What are some warn signs?
🦋 Cynical, critical, pessimism, anger or irritable at work
🦋 Disliking the job, forcing yourself to get up and go to work or having a hard time getting started
🦋 Irritable or impatient with others, coworker, boss, customers or clients
🦋 Lack of energy or low productivity or chronic fatigue or loss of appetite
🦋 No focus, mind wanders, forgetfulness, or hard to concentrate
🦋 No satisfaction from achievements, feeling unappreciated for all the extra work effort
🦋 Feelings of disillusionment about career, isolation, depression, and anxiety
🦋 Using alcohol, drugs, or food to feel better or not to feel at all
🦋 Change in sleeping patterns, maybe insomnia or oversleeping
If not addressed, burnout can leave people feeling empty, exhausted, depressed, and unable to deal with daily life’s demands.
How to change?
🦋 Focus on your recent and past accomplishments 🦋 Stop self-criticizing yourself and others 🦋 Create a happy space to spend time in for self-reflection, meditation, and prayer 🦋 Make and write in a daily gratitude journal
Change your workflow! 🦋 Stop multitasking and focus on one task at a time towards completion 🦋 Take regular breaks 🦋 Limit working overtime 🦋 Journal about things that are bothering you and come up with solutions to resolve them.
If you are experiencing some of these symptoms, it’s time to take some action to reverse it. Self-reflect and make some changes to reduce stress and anxiety. Take control of your workload and have reasonable expectations about what is achievable.
Do you have a happy place?
If yes, where is it? I would love to hear about your happy place. If no, why not?
This mini course is for leaders who are crazy busy, working 24/7 and want something more in life beyond their career. 7 easy hacks to create some personal life balance in this so-called busy life!
In this episode Surviving Social Isolation, Angela and Patti will give some tips and tricks on how to deal with social distancing and surviving isolation. Click on the link below to listen to the full podcast episode:
Our prayers and thoughts go out to everyone who is affected by this virus.
This is the perfect time for slowing down and taking some self-care.
How can you still be in contact with others while being isolated?
Facetime or video chat with family and friends
Adult coloring or coloring with the children
Play board games with family and do a puzzle
Blowing bubbles outside with the children
Draw or write with chalk outside with the kids
Have a virtual meetup; On Facebook, Skype, or Zoom. Example: a book club, a meeting you usually might have in person but instead do it virtually
Start a group text, in the WhatsApp with people who get you and can help you get support
Here’s a journal exercise Angela discussed to move and release those feelings.
Write down on a piece of paper.
1. What you feel you have lost in this situation? 2. What you feel you need? 3. Why do you need this? 4. How could you meet this need?
With the feelings: – Acknowledge what you are feeling and tell yourself it’s OK to feel this way. Other people are feeling a lot at the moment, too (their own feelings) the more you acknowledge what you feel helps others to acknowledge theirs. With the need – find words that meet your emotional need eg. to feel safe, to get rid of anxiety, to not go crazy!
Why do you need this? – When you understand more deeply why you need what you think you need – you may begin to see that your “why” can give you more solutions from Patti’s list of me-time or we-time. And it will help you vocalize your need to others and those you love…or you may realize something about your need – like its actually not that important!
How could you meet this need? Is it reaching out for support or getting personally creative/nurturing.
Look at a list of tips we are sharing. Notice which of your needs are the most important? Often one habit/action meets all of your needs. If you are an introvert, texting and telepathy are good places to start to connect to others. Telepathy is sending the thought out and putting good energy to it, so that later when you reach out to others, they feel that energy.
When you send a text – Put a good feeling into it – people will feel it. Its the most amazing thing in these times, people are willing and ready to connect and wishing well for people.
I enjoy being out in nature or just plain outside. Whether it is a few moments outdoors on my patio drinking coffee, a hike in the mountains, or camping lakeside taking time outdoors seems to rejuvenate me. So I am not surprised that others feel the same way.
Spending Time in Nature! Photo by Patti Oskvarek
There is a new craze called Forest Bathing (a Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku), which means spending time in nature and using all your senses. There is scientific research on this concept of Forest Bathing. According to the study being in nature restores our mood, refreshes, and rejuvenates us. It can lower blood pressure and decrease stress levels. When you feel overwhelmed, go outside, take a brief walk alone and see if this uplifts your spirit.
Spending Time in Nature! Photo by Patti Oskvarek
This weekend my husband and I went to a cabin in the woods. It was lightly raining, and the smell of the trees was so refreshing. After the rain stopped, we went for a walk to the nearby creek. The sounds of the rushing the water and the birds in the trees were very relaxing.
Me in the trees.
How to Forest Bath:
🦋 Go outdoors and find some trees or a large garden area with a variety of plants and trees.
Being in nature is soothing, especially when having a chaotic day. Making some time to go outdoors and get fresh air and a little bit of sunshine can uplift our spirit and decrease anxiety.
How about trying it today?
What did you notice?
Did you find this helpful? If so, please share this blog post with others! Comments are always welcome. You may use your initials or anonymous for your name if this makes you feel more comfortable to comment. 🙂 Thank you.
To schedule “one on one coaching” with Patti – click on the “Schedule Now” button below:
Do you want to work on changing your family dynamics? Angela has one on one coaching program called Transformed Relationships, you can book a Relationship Clarity Call at https://loveandrelationshipcoach.setmore.com and discover more about the program.
Do you want harmony and balance in your life? Patti has created a 21- Days Optimal Work/Life Balance Program. The program is designed to help you focus, de-stress and gain perspective. During the 21 days, you will receive emails with tips and a downloadable workbook.
Welcome to another new year. How is this year going to be different from last year and the year’s before? What changes, challenges, struggles and acknowledgments are you going to face? Well, we can’t see into the future however we can strive to make things better in our lives.
Here are some life changing subjects to consider incorporating this year:
Putting gratitude into our life and actions
Acknowledging and thanking others
Using daily affirmations
Developing an achievable budget and change spending habits to relieve stress and overwhelm
Work on daily forgiveness practices – Forgiving yourself and others
Practice journaling
Connect with others and build friendships
Remove gossip, negative thoughts and self-doubt from daily life
Enhance personal development: update resume, take a class, join an association in your field, develop a retirement plan, and take up a hobby
Self-Care to improve health and wellness
Questions for self-reflection and action:
Which of these topics above would change your life for the better?
Are you willing to incorporate it?
Are you willing to stick with it and stay focused? Even if it is hard and you have to make sacrifices?
How would your life change for the better by incorporating this into your life?
How are you going to make this happen?
When are you going to start?
What obstacles may you face and how will you succeed to overcome them?
What would your life look like when you have incorporated this action into your daily life?
Life is full of challenges, obstacles and unknowns however if we have something to strive for daily it gives us purpose. With purpose we have something to look forward to even when those challenges can be overwhelming. Feel free to share what you will be incorporating in your life to make this year memorable. ~ Patti 🙂
Coaching for InspirationwithPatti. com – TM
To contact me for a private confidential discovery coaching session. Fill out the contact form below. In the comment section specify you would like a free 30 minute discovery session.
Coaching sessions can be conducted in various methods.
