Staying True to Your Center
by Starcat
Sometimes in the midst of a hectic day, it’s easy to fall out of your center and have your emotions spin out of control. You might find yourself feeling frazzled, irritated, or simply overwhelmed. When you think of getting re-centered, you might picture yourself in a bathtub full of bubbles, sipping an iced tea, and wish you had more time. But with practice, it’s possible to stay centered even in the midst of a whirlwind of activity.
Can it really be done? And how? First, setting yourself up for success is key. Often when your day spins out of control, the root cause is that you’re tired from not sleeping enough the night before, or hungry because you didn’t have time to grab lunch. With a bit of pre-planning, you can avoid these common irritants. Make sure you’re getting a good amount of sleep, on the majority of nights. Think ahead when you go grocery shopping, and get foods you can pack for lunches. Know your body – when you’re busy, you might need more protein than usual, or healthy snacks to graze on. Be sure to stay hydrated, too.
In the middle of your day, take short mini-breaks to get back to your center. Close your eyes for five minutes and deliberately relax your muscles. If you have a desk job, get up and do some simple stretches every hour or so. If nothing else, when you use the restroom, splash your face with water and take three deep breaths. When you’re driving, listen to uplifting audio books or your favorite music.
Sometimes when you’re busy, you can build things up inside your mind so that you have a whole imaginary drama playing. That doesn’t help you get things done. Learn to use to-do lists and a planner, writing things down and then letting them leave your mind in peace until it’s time to get to them. Proceed one task at a time, not worrying about what’s next until you’re ready to work on it. Release the mental drama and simply do the next thing in front of you.
Having reminders of your goals and intentions in life is also very helpful. Post affirmations and uplifting quotes where you can see them. Start your morning with a brief meditation. List the blessings in your life, and show your gratitude. Keep your eye on the big picture, and the details will be less likely to spin you out of your center.