We all lead busy lives in one way or another. It could be from running a busy household and family, to holding down a high-ranking job, as well as the social and other aspects of things that we do. It could be a combination of all of the above! All of which require energy, time, focus, and some effort. And when you’re doing it day in and day out, it can have an impact on you both physically and mentally. We all need some time to care for ourselves and to take a break. You can’t fill from an empty cup, and all of those similar cliches.
If you find that you are running from one thing to the next, are forgetting a lot of things, and basically just want to take a nap at every opportunity, then it is time to take a stand and do something about it. For starters, you will burn out. If you carry on being too much to too many people, it will be hard to keep up with. So you need to refocus and prioritize things a little better in your life. But this kind of thing can also be an indicator of something more sinister to do with your health. There can be some people that can keep up with the lifestyle that you have. But if you are struggling, then it could be the sign of an illness, like a hormone imbalance, a mental health disorder, or something else that is lacking in your health.
Take having a hormone imbalance, for instance. It can lead you to feel more stressed, have more mood swings, and leave you feeling pretty lethargic. You can even impact the things that you are eating, as you’ll crave anything that will give you some kind of energy boost, even if it is short-term energy (which then leads you to feeling worse overall). Many people deal with something like a hormone imbalance by seeking help from their doctor, and usually being put on a contraceptive pill like microgynon, for example. These can be trial and error, though, as the combination of hormones in the pills can be a complete mix. But it could be a step in the right direction if those hormones sound like you.
If you ever have the feeling of being unable to cope, then it is time to speak to your doctor or a counselor, to look into what the cause could be, as well as looking at ways to deal with it. That can help you to avoid the burnout talked about earlier. If you get to the point of breakdown, then it can be a long way from there to heal. So being able to deal with things as and when they arise is going to help you to take back control of your life.
As well as professional help, there are plenty of other things that you can do to help you to take back some control in your life. This can help you both physically and mentally. But what are those things? Here are some ideas to help you.
Choose Automatic Behavior
Because we have a limited resource of willpower, we have to make sure that we are able to rely on it less. It can be hard to depend on it when we don’t have much of it. This isn’t going to help us to take control of things either. So you need to make some of the things in your life automatic. Just as it is automatic to wash hands after using the bathroom, or brush your teeth after you wake up. This can be tricky, of course. But when you make an extra effort to automate some more things in your life, it can allow you to take more control.
Get Plenty of Rest
Sleep is such an important thing for all of us in our lives. If you feel tired, according to psychologist Vince Lombardi, it makes a coward out of all of us. It can make us more reluctant to do things, as well as putting in less effort, as we may feel too tired to do what we want to. Wind down before getting into bed, and make it part of your routine. It prepares your body for sleep, and will help you to get a better quality of sleep too. You will feel less stressed, and more able to cope with the demands of life when you are well rested.
Do Important Things First Thing
As the day goes on, we are going to have more and more things that take a strain and can drain our energy a little. So what you need to do is to do the important things in your life, first thing in the morning. You are likely to have more energy, less distractions, and more of a focus when you are doing things in the morning. When this becomes a habit, then it will mean more gets done, and you’ll be in control of things before you know it.
Avoid Multitasking
Some people boast about multitasking and how much they are able to get done in such a short amount of time. But if you are trying to take control of your life, multitasking can be one of the worst things that you can do. It can lead you to feel like you’re getting very little done, and not complete many things off your to do list. Take tasks one step at a time, and it will feel much better rather than rushing to get two done at the same time. It honestly makes a difference.
Eat Well
Food is fuel. At least it is if you eat the right kinds of food that can give you the energy that you need. Ingredients like glucose can be what your body needs to get stuff done. But it can’t take too much of it. So you should be looking to eat a snack or small meal every three hours. Sugars and simple carbohydrates do give you a burst of energy. But in terms of blood sugar, it can quickly reduce the energy levels that you had, leading to make you feel worse than ever before. Complex carbohydrates and lean protein, or plant-based protein, are able to provide you with a steadier and more enduring source of energy. It is the kind of energy that you need to fuel your willpower, and to keep you feel fresh and enthused.
Look Before You Leap
It can be really difficult to take control of your life if you are looking to just go out and do anything as soon as you feel a reaction. When something happens, good or bad, you will be likely to have a fight or flight mode, as your body reacts to what is going on around you. In most circumstances, it is going to be better for you to think about an action plan before you start to do something. This will help you to reflect and not do anything that could cause damage or lead you to more stress. So take control and make a plan before you leap into action to do something.
Plant-based meats
You could consider plant-based meats. The trends show that more people are moving towards plant based foods and individuals are becoming vegetarian or vegan. For more info on how plant-based meats can improve your health click this link: Plant based meats
These steps can help you to take control of your life. It can take some changes but it can make such an impact to your life and make you feel better and more in control. If you need help, though, make sure that you get it, and start taking back control.
Mandy X
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
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