Finding Balance During the Change in Season

The Fall/Spring is a time of change. No matter where you live this is a season of transition. Activities of the fall are very different from those of the summer. It is a time of change. This is also a time when you settle into new routines with the vacation season winding down and the days getting shorter. You or your co-workers may be in school or have children in school, which brings in a new routine. There are new schedules, conflicts, and adjustments to be made.

Change is great, it cleans out the old and makes space for something different. But It is also stressful to the mind and the body. This is a time you really need to step back and see what keeps you sane. So think about this for a minute. What is so unsettling? A good part of it is dealing with the unknown. Another part is difficulty letting go of what is comfortable and familiar. When we take on new and different things some others need to be set aside.

What can you do about the unsettled feeling and the rushed pace? Set aside a few minutes each day to do something that makes you feel comfortable and in control. This can be referred to as grounding. In an electrical system, if the circuit is stressed or the current flow is broken, a grounding wire releases it to the earth. This makes the system safer and reliable. Think of grounding yourself the same way. With a lot of change comes to a lot of energy and you need to release to “ground.”

So think of this same idea with your life. Your system is moving along with a regular pattern and you are in a rhythm. Then your pattern is disrupted it can cause you to commit to too many things. You may find you spend energy on things that drain you. We all need to “ground” in times of change. Even if you thrive on change, you need to set aside some time each day to make sure you keep from losing your focus and balance.

Things that are grounding are things that make you feel more settled and give you time to disconnect. You need to disconnect to get your priorities straight. This allows you to re-engage with the things that are really important to you, to see where you need some support, and to just give your mind a rest.

So take a few breaths, the deeper the better. Deep breathing is grounding wakes up the body. Dealing with changes you would think would be all a mind thing. Yes, you do make decisions with your mind but the effects of dealing with more than you can handle can show up in the body. It might be a nervous habit like eating too much, spending too much, drinking, and chronic worrying. Over time it can develop into anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and chronic fatigue, among other things. Starting with a deep breath reconnects your mind to your body and breath.

Once you reconnect you can see if you are showing signs of stress related to the changes around you. Maybe get yourself a cup of soup, chai, tea, coffee or another warm beverage of your choice. If that does not appeal to you choose something that makes you feel warm, comfortable and supported. Whatever you choose, do not just rush through it. I will use the warm drink as an example because it has a built-in timer on it since it takes time for the drink to cool. These steps can be adapted to whatever you choose.

Reconnect with your senses.

Hold the cup in your hand, feel the warmth of the cup in your hand.
Notice the scent and smell coming from the drink.
See the steam rise up from the cup.
Take time to really notice the tastes on your tongue as you sip.
Listen to the sounds around you. Maybe you are at home listening to some music. Maybe you are in the middle of a busy office taking in the sounds of fingers typing on a keyboard, people talking, phones ringing.

Feel your feet on the ground. Reconnect with the earth by feeling the stability under you rooting you down. Stable and steady.

Try this for 5 minutes a day, all at once if you can, or break it up. See if this changes the way the rest of your day goes. When you complete the practice look around you. Just see what is happening but do not engage yet. Look at the options and decide when and how you want to reconnect and what you want to do first. Move out of your grounding with more purpose, a clearer head, and a refreshed mind.

Photo by Todd Cravens on Unsplash