We all have them. Moments or days or, heck even weeks, where we feel stressed and overwhelmed and need to stop to take a deep breath or two…or ten. The truth is that while those breaths do help, they don’t really do the trick. So what do you do so you don’t blow your lid and make things worse?
First use the deep breaths to get you through the immediate situation and then as soon as you are able to, remove yourself from it.
The sooner you can get a moment to yourself, the better!
Next, do what you can to calm yourself down. Now what you do here depends on you and what works best for you. For some, thinking through the situation or talking it through helps. For others, the more you think about it, the more upset you can become so a better action may be distraction! Do something that will help take your mind away from the situation for a moment. Read a chapter in a book, write a blog, check your facebook, go for a run or a walk, play a game…you get the idea! Do something that you enjoy to get those endorphins released.
Finally, when you are feeling more calm and relaxed, think through the situation again and attempt to resolve whatever is left of it so it doesn’t continue or happen again.
I know this is always easier said than done, but it doesn’t hurt to try!
Now, back to mommy duty…my deep breath moment is over. 😉
Compassion Bulldog 