Exhausted? What to do and what to ask

 

 

I really, really, really get how busy women are!

I do it myself. I get excited about a lot of projects, I love my work, my husband and I have our new store, I love cooking and family events. And sometimes all of that adds up to TOO MUCH!

And that’s just the GOOD stress. (Good stress being the things we enjoy and yet still push us a little too much).

What about when we have sick kids or parents in need? What about when our relationships feel stressful? What about when work ramps up and there’s more expectations? What about when your kids/parents/friends need us to be in 3 places at once.

It’s too much and it’s exhausting!

So what do you do?

Here are three important questions to ask yourself when it gets to be TOO DARN MUCH and 3 things that I did that turned around my exhaustion.

1. Am I hanging on to the busy-badge-of-honor?

The busy-badge-of-honor is the belief that being busy makes you worthy.

You know you’re hanging on to your busy-badge-of-honor when someone says “how are you” and you respond “I’m sooooooo busy” as though your busy-ness is what defines you and is an award in and of itself. As though the busier you are the more life-points you get.

Sometimes we hang onto our busy-badge-of-honor and live our lists instead of living a life we enjoy because it gives us a sense of purpose and pride.

The busy-badge-of-honor is actually a “red alert” signal for us. It means it’s time to remember that slowing down and nourishment allows us to more fully feel and engage with life. Letting go of the busy-badge-of-honor allows us to live a deeply meaningful life instead of living in the get-it-done mode of life.

So, if you notice that yes, in fact you are living the list and wearing a busy-badge-of-honor, then it’s time to ask the next two questions.

 

2. What can go?

and

2A. Where would I feel supported?

 

“What can go?” is a hard question, because usually when we’re busy, busy, busy, we’re doing things we feel are important, so it’s hard to imagine NOT doing some of it.

But I invite you to take a clear and honest look at your list of expectations and see what can go on hold, what can wait ’til later, what is really not essential in this moment.

And if you can find anything that can go or shift ’til later…then move it along or say bye bye.

If you canNOT come up with a thing that can go, it’s time to look at where you’d feel supported. Don’t start with who will support you. Start with where do you WISH there was help.

Once you get a sense of what exactly would feel supportive, then it’s much easier to find the who will support you.

The next step here is to ASK for support! Be clear of your expectations, be time and project specific and you’ll get better support.

3. What would NOURISH me!

If you know me, you know I’m all about deep nourishment and creating a life where you feel deeply cared for and nourished from the inside out.

In order to create a nourished life, it’s important to know what truly nourishes YOU!

It’s different for everyone.

• For some being outdoors and quiet feels deeply restorative.
• For some dinner out and a movie feels like a vacation.
• For some being alone is replenishing and for some being with friends.

The answer to “what nourishes you” is also different on any given day and different periods of our lives.

So, my question to you is, WHAT NOURISHES YOU NOW!?

 

Take a moment to really think about that. Come up with 3 things. And once you jot that down somewhere, choose ONE to put into your life in the next 3 days.

I know there are a million reasons why there isn’t time for you to nourish yourself, but I can promise that when you do, you’ll feel more internally expansive and be able to be in life with more ease and clarity.

And if you’re curious what nourished me during my recent bout of “I’m exhausted and too busy,”  – – here’s what I did.

1. FLOAT!

I spent 1.5 hrs in an isolation tank that’s filled with epsom salts so that you float! It’s deeply relaxing. It reset my nervous system and made me more able to look with clarity at where I needed support.

2. ACCUPUNCTURE:

I could tell I was pushing my body too hard and was heading towards a crashed immune system. So I made a few appointment with my local community acupuncture clinic. Community acupuncture is an affordable way to get acupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture can support a myriad of concerns. I always leave restored and strengthened.

3. ADAPTOGENS:

There’s a category of plants and herbs called adaptogens that are AMAZING! They help the body cope with stress. So when things in my life get stressful I lean heavily on adaptogens.

I incorporate adaptogens in my life in 3 ways.

1. I drink Tulsi Tea every night. Tulsi is Holy Basil (an adaptogen) and it helps relax me before bed.
2. I take Gaia Herbs Stress Response, it’s a combination of adaptogens that support the body when it’s coping with stress.
3. Wild Blueberries! I add wild blueberries (which are an adaptogen) to my smoothies or make chia seed pudding with wild blueberries.

Sleep and eating foods that support my body are, of course, core nourishing behaviors for stressful times and all time. More sleep, more hydration and regular meals are a wonderful way to keep ourselves balanced.

I’d love to know what your favorite ways are to care for yourself during stressful times!

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Nina Manolson, MA, CHC, certified Health Coach and Psychology of Eating Coach believes that every woman deserves to feel good in her own body. She helps women create a healthy and positive relationship with their food and body so they can love their body and life!  She’s the founder of NinaManolson.com and NourishedWomanNation.com 

She helps busy women look and feel their best. She specializes in working with women over 40 who have tried other diets and approaches but are still struggling with their body and food. She helps women step into a new wellness paradigm that makes self-care real and do-able and turns it into sustainable healthy habits that

She’s the author of “Feed Your Kids Well In A World That Doesn’t: an everyday guide to make healthy food happen in your home and beyond”. She’s also the recipient of the prestigious Health Leadership Award from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

To get your F.R.E.E. Video Series “What to do now, when everything you’ve done hasn’t worked” by mail and receive her healthy recipes and wellness tips click here.