1.Breathe! When we get stressed, overwhelmed, anxious or
frustrated we tend to hold our breath. We forget to breathe
deeply. The best way to connect to Source, our intuition and
others around us is through breath. Set your alarm if
needed, after all this takes practice, and stop wherever you
are, and take 3 deep breaths. Feel yourself return to your
body and get grounded. Continue on. Modeling this for our
kids gives them a tool they can use at school, with friends or
work.
2. Shake it out! Dance party anyone? Energy is made to
move, to be in motion. When we are overwhelmed or
stressed we tense up, and stop energy from it's flow.
Movement, especially loose fun movement gets energy
flowing again and releases all that is not useful to us.
Stomping or dancing outside the house before going in
leaves behind the energy we have picked up during the day,
leaving behind what is not ours to Mother Earth for recycling.
3. Gratitude! Yes, we hear it all the time. Be grateful for what
we have. There is a reason it is said so often. Depression,
anxiety and upset cannot exist in the same moment as true
gratitude. Moments of gratitude interrupt the pattern of
upset or stress. Noticing what we are truly grateful for gives
us even a moment of respite from the feelings of
overwhelm, stress or anxiety and those moments add up.
Start your kids young with a grateful journal, and keep one
yourself. At breakfast start your day right by predicting the
gratefuls that will happen that day, let your kids set
themselves up for wins before the day has begun. Then at
night check in with what did occur to be grateful for.
4. Let go of the reins! When we try to control everything we
control nothing. Who says we know what is best for everyone
else? And why do we strive for perfection along the way, for
ourselves and our family. Where are you holding tight to the
reins, trying to make it all perfect and get it all done, while
deciding for everyone else what to do? We are made to know
what is best for us, to know what makes us happy and what
doesn't. But we are not made to know the same for others,
yes even our kids. Let go of the tight grip, try the dance party
above if needed, and let the kids pick out their clothes for
school. When we loosen our grip we allow others to
contribute to us and themselves, letting our kids test their
wings while in the safety of the nest.
5. Self expression! Tying in with number 4, allow the family to
express themselves in their unique way. One idea is to set up
a family Bright Idea Board, a place to write notes, say how
they want to feel today, intuitive hits or ideas for themselves
and the family. Need a dance party, or spice up dinner ideas.
Write the blessings that occured or love notes. What other
ideas can you think of to let each person express thier
unique contribution?