Pause & Prioritize
It’s Monday and I feel like I’m off to the races again with a list of things I have to (and/or want to) get done. There are actually physical sensations I can notice when I start to feel this way. My breathing and heart rate feels faster. Those are the same sensations I would feel during fight or flight. My nervous system doesn’t know the difference between running from a threat and running through a massive to do list!
Noticing the sensations, reminds me to take a quick pause, look at my list and prioritize what needs to get done. Taking this moment helps me to think clearly versus knocking out the easiest tasks on my list to “feel” productive, when there are more pressing tasks I should do first.
Pause. Breathe. Prioritize.
Just a few breaths can do the trick to change that response from fight or flight to rest and digest. When you feel those stressful sensations starting to settle, look at your list and prioritize. If you need a longer or guided pause, revisit my Anytime Mindful Moment.