Change your habits, change your life : I know you’ve heard this but are you taking action?

A proper understanding of habits reveals that they can be changed. Especially this nasty little habit called OVERWHELM.

Yes. Overwhelm is a habit.

Modern life trains us to focus on what is missing or wrong, which is when overwhelm takes over.

Call it chaos, stress, over-stimulation, overwhelm. They all go hand-in-hand.

There’s so much coming at us these days. 24/7 connectivity to media, entertainment and social networks. Information and expectation overload. All draining our energy, our willpower and our coping abilities. The problem is that we forget to press pause and refuel. To manage expectations. To create boundaries.

The New York Times article “Digital Devices Deprive Brain of Needed Downtime,” hits it right on the head: Even though people feel entertained, even relaxed, when they multi-task while exercising, or pass a moment at the bus stop by catching a quick video clip, they might be taxing their brains, scientists say. “People think they’re refreshing themselves, but they’re fatiguing themselves,” said Marc Berman, a University of Michigan neuroscientist.

Okay so how do you release the HABIT of overwhelm and build new habits of regular renewal and self-care?

1. Accept that overwhelm is self-imposed.
It’s a habitual coping response to challenges and change coupled with a lack of boundaries to protect your health, energy and/or values.

And I’m certainly not immune. I’ve encountered overwhelm at many points in my personal and professional life. The traditional solutions didn’t help much. No strategy can conquer overwhelm if we don’t stop “shoulding” on ourselves. BTW, shoulding = “I should be doing this, I shouldn’t be doing that, he should, she should, etc” 🙂

But I didn’t like this response.

As soon as I recognized the pattern, I decided to do something about it. I was not being the role model I wanted to be for my children. I wanted to THRIVE and help others do the same.So I looked back at what worked. Studied the masters. The science. The strategies and applicable wisdom around healthy success habits for living an authentic, extraordinary life even in the face of life’s daily stressors. This is my life’s work….to support you, because I know your life isn’t slowing down any time soon!

2. Change your beliefs about what MUST get done.
This takes some deep reflection and learning what I call The Art of Guilt-free, Non-negotiable Self-care. This is a collection of wisdom and science that’s changed my life and women worldwide… through our signature Chaos Cleanse™  program.

Here’s what I learned that will support your journey as well:

• Being able to pause and reflect on what’s important to me and why…. and then taking action to live in alignment with my values. 
• Finding the gifts and lessons in each moment. 
• Learning to release the parts of my story (childhood trauma and unintentional neglect) that no longer serve me.
• Learning to write my own story.
• Serving from a place of empathy, gratitude, love and wisdom ….to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

3. Have goals but also focus on how you want to BE and FEEL on your journey from A to B.

You must stop waiting until “someday” to feel and be whole. Today is your someday.

4. Bring awareness to your habits and take action to “change your habits and change your life.”

See #3. Today is your someday!

5. Learn to ask for help, accountability and support.

You can’t do it alone. It really does take a village. Learning to ask for and accept help changed my life and is now enabling me to help you!

Remember, there’s no quick fix or one-size-fits-all approach. It’s a journey.

Start today to release the overwhelm and build your Self-care Power Habits that initiate a domino effect to positively impact all areas of your life. Example: exercising in the morning lifts mood + metabolism + willpower! Need help building your power habits? I’m your gal! Bye bye overwhelm…hello healthy, happy life!

Your turn! Comment below and tell me: what’s one habit you’d LOVE to add, release or KEEP, and why?