January often arrives with a heavy “hustle culture” that tells us to be everywhere at once but if you’re looking at the world stage right now, your body might be telling you something different. I recently read a post by Jann Arden where she mentioned that her “immune system feels like it is being beaten up” and her post is not the only one I have read. People wide and far burnt out or stressed. That feeling isn’t reserved for global headlines; it’s a reality for those of us just trying to exist, manage a household, and navigate the daily grind.
When you add a “new-found teenage attitude” in your own house to the “epic economic stressors” of the world, it can feel like you’re standing in a grocery store aisle with everyone screaming and grabbing things off the shelves. This where a tactical recovery becomes essential. We cannot be ready to tackle “eye rolls at chores” or stand up for what matters if we are burnt out and exhausted.
This week, I’m focusing on Mental Boundaries. We need our “critical thinking skills” more than ever, but those skills dull when we are over-stimulated. Try a “News Sabbatical” – pick one hour today to close the news apps and turn off the phone. Additionally, prioritize Physical Recovery by giving yourself 15 minutes of “Sensory Reset.” No music, no screens, just quiet nourishment for your nervous system. Protecting your energy isn’t about checking out; it’s about ensuring your “battery for life” is charged enough to stay in the daily fight.
Try one of these “Home Front” exercises this week:
- The Device Basket: Place all phones in a basket for 30 minutes during dinner to protect the “mental clarity” of your family unit.
- The Sensory Sabbatical: Set a timer for 15 minutes. Sit in a dark or quiet room with no external input to allow your nervous system to reset from the “screaming aisles” of the world.
- The “One-Tab” Rule: When looking at the news or economic stressors, allow yourself only one browser tab at a time to prevent over-stimulation and preserve you “critical thinking skills.”
- Physical Check-In: When you feel an “eye roll” coming on, take three deep breaths before responding to ensure you are operating from a place of rest, not exhaustion or attitude.