Family Gap Year Post #13: Stress-Reducing Strategies
We are definitely in a period of stress as the school year comes to a close and we finalize all the details for our Family Gap Year. It feels counter-productive to feel a ton of stress leading up to a grand adventure that’s supposed to bring us a lot of joy. But it is what it is!
Stress-Reducing Strategies
Here’s what I’ll be trying in the next month to stay in a good place:
- Sleep: This one is huge and so difficult during periods of stress! And yet insufficient sleep does so much to contribute to a cycle of stress. So I’m committing to shutting my computer at 10pm—no matter what I’m doing!
- Exercise: Why is it that all the things that help us combat stress are also the things that are so hard to fit in when we are stressed? Sleep and exercise both fit in this category. Regular exercise makes me feel better and calmer. I need to swim laps three times a week and walk 10,000 steps nearly every day.
- Breathing: This one is a lot easier to fit in! I want to take deep belly breaths throughout the day to keep me grounded.
- Personal Organization on Steroids: The more my to-do list expands, the more I have to beef up my time management and personal organization. Staring at a super-long to-do list is stressing me out. I need to set aside a few minutes to organize it into weeks and even in to specific times of day.
- Focus on the Positive: At the end of each day, I’m going to specifically name 5 things that went really well.
I need to take care of myself in these ways. If I don’t, I won’t be able to show up for my family. And they are going to need me during this time! Henry is graduating from the school he has been at since he was three years-old. Tate is graduating from Lower Elementary. They are nervous about the unknown and sad about leaving their friends. Honestly, they are more sad than happy about the trip at this point. So I need to stay grounded. Only when I’m grounded can be that steady base for them as we all launch into the unknown.