Reflect on a time when you weren’t in a good head space. Did your head feel scattered, were you frustrated, angry, anxious or just a bit sad? Now have a think about whether you were also really busy at the time. If the answer is yes, then read on.
Being frantically busy is generally not good for mental equilibrium, however the demands of modern life can sometimes lead to an unmanageable schedule without our conscious consent. When we are trying to keep too many balls in the air, stress levels rise, diet goes out the window and exercise is left to the wayside. Poor sleep and ill physical health often result, and so the vicious cycle continues.
Being in a good head space is directly relative to our mental and physical wellbeing but sometimes we don’t realise we are not in a good head space until after the fact. If you felt like 2021 was a little crazy and your life was out of control, perhaps think about turning over a new leaf this year.
How do I do that, I hear you say?
Well, you can start by reflecting on what makes you and your family feel safe and content. Think about how you would like to be spending your time and prioritise that special time into your life. Write a list, allocating a column to each family member and ask them to write down their life priorities. What do they love to do and what are the non-negotiables? From here you can work out how to reduce the unnecessary activities from the schedule and make more time for the ones that bring you enjoyment.
Life admin is unavoidable but often we overcommit to things that are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Some of us, suffer from a case of FOMO (fear of missing out) when really we should welcome a bit more JOMO (joy of missing out) into our lives. Generally, the FOMO sufferer has difficulty saying ‘no’ and in turn overcommits to life and ends up stressed and overworked. This may apply to the workplace, school or uni life or your children’s lives. Perhaps 2022 is the year to embrace a new mantra;
“If it’s not a resounding yes then it’s a definite no!”
Of course, being in a bad head space is not always because you are too busy. If you are feeling low and finding life difficult to navigate, you do not need to fake positivity and carry on. Speak to someone you love and trust about how you are feeling. Take time for yourself, care for yourself like you would another who is struggling. Talking to a psychologist and seeking their help and guidance can be a positive step towards embracing a more positive mind set, so you can live your life to its fullest.