Finding the Calm

Our society moves at breakneck speed. Although we seemingly have an endless supply of technological tools to streamline processes and make our lives easier, we are actually busier than ever. Lately, I have been feeling the stress of all of the items of my to-do list. Whether the task is lesson planning, grading, meeting with students, paying bills, doing yard work, or any number of tasks, it has become increasingly more overwhelming to fit all that in while making sure to save time for spending with family and, here is the most important part, being truly present for the things most important.

We cannot pretend to spend time with family if we are not truly present and listening. But, what about all of those items on our to-do list? I find myself often thinking about those tasks when I should be more present. I also find that the more I focus and worry about those tasks, the more I don’t physically feel like myself. I began asking myself, the other day, what I can do to help center myself and relieve some of that stress.

As many of my readers know, I was a competitive runner all through college. Lately, I have lost any consistency with getting out for runs. Running is my time to think and release those daily frustrations I have. Whether it is the endorphins or simply freeing my mind of whatever is bothering me at the time, running does help. I have decided to commit to at least doing some kind of physical activity to release some of the built-up stress. By releasing some of that stress about the things I have no control over, it allows me to be more present for my family and those tasks which are the most important.

It may sound selfish, but if we don’t make time for ourselves and our own mental health we can’t possibly be fully there for others. In order to be as kind as I want to be and as mentally healthy as I need to be, I need to engage in what centers me, what calms me. Taking a moment to pause and reset through physical activity in the eye of the storm, might be just the ticket.