Stretched thin. Out of bandwidth. Beyond tired. Out of #$%@! to give. So over it. Exhausted.
How often have you said and heard some version of these sentiments over the past weeks and months? Too many I bet.
One morning, I was placing a rubber band on my drinking glass (to keep track of it and cut down on dirty dishes), and I marveled at how far I could stretch it and how it snapped back to normal - day after day.
Of course we're not rubber bands, but it's a nice analogy for what's happening to us when we are in a chronic state of stress. Before we become stretched too thin for too long and "break", we need to do something that allows us to snap back to normal temporarily.
Here’s the thing, because our emotions have a beginning, middle, and an end, we must complete the full cycle. And, if we do not move through our feelings, we risk getting stuck in a stress cycle that results in emotional exhaustion and burnout. Imagine your emotions traveling through a tunnel
and coming out the other side, which helps us snap back to normal.
Try these research-based ways to work through your emotions and break the stress cycle:
1. Exercise or movement
2. Deep breaths
3. Socializing and connecting with others
4. Physical affection
5. A good cry
6. A good laugh
7. Creative expression
Let’s support each other through our emotional cycles and admire the strength and resilience it takes to make it through to the other side.
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