Getting off of the Hamster Wheel

We are running faster than ever, carrying fear in our bones and tightened chest. The stress and the need to go on is taking an emotional and physical toll on us. Here are some simple tips to slow down during a pandemic.

Meta Description:

We are running faster than ever, carrying fear in our bones and tightened chest. Here are some simple tips to slow down during a pandemic.

Let's face it. We've been living on the hamster wheel. Running a race at a break-neck speed, trying to just hold our ground. We do this because the world keeps spinning, with or without us. But lately, there's been a rude awakening.

A shock that has gripped us so tightly that we've been paralyzed. Unable to move, let alone, run a race. Even though things have come to a standstill, we are far from okay. We are carrying the fear in our bones, our tightened chest, and bated breath. We are unable to release our clenching jaw and just let it all go. Afraid to lose control. Afraid to break down. But that is exactly what we must do.

We must let it all go.

The stress and the instinctive need to continue on the same hamster wheel are wearing us down. Lowering our immunity and making us more susceptible. We need to get up from our stupor and slow down. Lie low. And let this bitter weather pass. Bide your time.

Here are some tips to help you navigate through this time:

Accept the reality

The first step towards change is accepting where you are. This is really happening and you are caught in the midst of it. Accept that this is affecting you. Write down how you feel and seek help from friends, family, and professionals. We are living in unprecedented times. And we do need help coping with everything thing that's been going on.

Calm your anxiety

Once we accept where we are, real healing can begin. Sometimes, that can also bring on panic attacks and anxiety. You may see a slight shift in who you are as a person as you come to terms with reality. Give yourself time and space to feel these emotions. Be proactive and figure out a way to calm yourself. Here are a few tips to get you started on that journey.

https://lifeism.co/5-ridiculously-simple-tips-to-calm-yourself/

Take time off

As you process and accept where you are, you will need time and space to get through it all. To process it. Take time off. If you work a job, ask for the time you need. Employers are understanding and going out of their way to help their employees. If you are an employer, ask your clients for a break. Be authentic and honest about your needs. People are going out of their way to help each other during these times.

Take the time you need to do whatever you need to. Just sleep if you haven't slept in years. Go for a walk. Listen to uplifting music, read those books you've always wanted to. Watch funny shows on Netflix. Do whatever you need to recharge and feel better.

Collect moments of happiness

Once you are feeling better and have found your footing, do something very simple. Start by reflecting on your life. Pen them. What were your happy memories? You can start by reading an article we wrote on the ingredients of happiness. Collect those happy memories and see the patterns. What made those memories happy? Let this be a foundation to understand what truly gives you pleasure.

Turn towards religion and spirituality

We understand that this step may not be for everyone. But if you are religious or even spiritual, take a deeper interest in it. Lean on it to cope with the uncertainty. With religion and spirituality also comes a community. Talk to other people and learn how they are coping with what you are going through. Take the time to put root down. Help each other to get through the hard times.

If you are not religious or spiritual, then work on yourself. Be it books from the self-help section or understanding the science of how our brain works, there are many ways to find your footing.

Cultivate a practice of gratitude

Countless religions and sciences have proven the importance of gratitude. Practicing gratitude has a wonderful effect on or minds and bodies. If you don't know where to start, start here.

https://lifeism.co/a-simple-guide-to-living-a-life-of-gratitude/

Practicing gratitude will center you and calm your anxiety. It may not ease the issues that life throws at you, but it will help you get through them.

Work on your financial freedom

Let's face it. We are not just worried about our health and wellbeing, we are also worried about our sustenance. We want to ensure that we have the financial means to support ourselves and our family. But before we start with any of these, we need to ensure that we have the right mindset.

https://lifeism.co/14-millionaire-mindset-quotes-for-financial-freedom/

Once you know that you have the mindset that it takes, start by being real about your finances. What is your income? Savings? What are your skills? Talk to financial advisors and get their opinion. Did you always want to start that business? What do you truly want to do in life? Know that it's never too late. No matter where you are, you can still do this.

Believe that this is it

Believe that the time is now. This is your wake-up call. No matter where you are in life, know that you can take small steps towards your goal. You may not have the liberty to just get off that hamster wheel just yet, but you can begin to slow down the pace a little. Do some self-care and work on yourself. change can begin at any moment. And this moment here right now is as good as any.

But don't rush to make life decisions. Don't get off of a wheel and on to another. That is usually our first instinct. To keep things as they are, to seek comfort in the things that we've done for years. We wrote about it in Breaking the Patterns of Life. Take the time to zoom out and look at your life patterns before taking that leap.

Slow down a little.

In conclusion, we will leave you with his beautiful excerpt, taken from John O'Donohue's book, "To Bless the Space Between Us. A Book of Blessings". The book is also published under the title of "Benedictus" in Europe:

This is our hope for you. We hope you get the time and the space to slow down and recalibrate life. We hope that you find what you are truly looking for in life. We hope that this time that we are all going through is just a pulling back to the slingshot.