The rush of the holiday season is over, and now we can all relax! Just kidding. Let’s be real, most of us live hectic lives year-round. A busy life isn’t necessarily bad when it’s dedicated to activities that fill your cup and help you feel good about yourself, but it can take a toxic turn when we become over-scheduled with things that drain us. Here are 7 signs that it’s time for you to slow down and regroup.
1. You’re not sleeping well.
If you wake multiple times through the night or you simply can’t fall asleep because your mind is racing, that sleep deprivation will catch up with you. Your body needs rest to function properly, and when your sleep is out of sync, that’s a sign that your nervous system is overloaded and you’re stressed out. I know it can be tempting to stay up extra late just to finally get a little alone time, but you’re better off getting the rest you need to stay healthy.
Try this: Winding down with our phones is common, but researchers say it makes it harder to fall asleep. Switch up your bedtime routine and read a book or color in that adult coloring book you bought instead. If you’re having trouble with racing thoughts, try meditation for sleep. If you’re new to meditation, try a free meditation app or a guided meditation session on whatever music streaming service you have a subscription with.
2. People are often remarking about how busy you are.
You keep hearing it. “Wow, you stay so busy.” “I don’t know how you do it all.” “Do you ever sleep?” If everyone else is noticing, that’s a strong indication that your busyness is out of control. At the end of the day (and your life), there is no trophy for having been the busiest woman on the block. There is greater reward in slowing down and being present with those you love. That’s what makes life truly productive.
Try this: Ask yourself what you’re getting out of the full schedule you’ve adopted. Are you trying to prove yourself? Do you have trouble saying “no” or creating boundaries? When you understand the “why” you can begin to address it in a meaningful way that leads to lasting change.
3. You don’t know what’s going on in the lives of your loved ones.
Who are your children’s best friends at school? What projects are they working on? What are they learning about right now? What’s going on with your husband at work? What’s happening in the lives of your parents and siblings? If you don’t know the answers, then there is a lack of communication going on between you and your loved ones, and that is likely due to being overwhelmed and busy. It’s unlikely that you’ll regret not heading up the PTA bake sale again, but you will very certainly regret missing out on the time you could’ve spent sharing stories and laughing with your family.
Try this: It might be time to reassess your to-do list if it doesn’t bring you connection, joy, or contentment. Make a list of what is most important to you. If you’re asked to do something that isn’t on that list, say no. Guard your time because it is precious and limited.
4. Your phone is an extension of your body.
It’s always in your hand, in your pocket, or by your side. If you lose sight of it, you panic and begin frantically looking for it. You fiddle with it while driving, and you stare at it during movies or at the dinner table. Welcome to the phone addiction club. I realize they are useful tools; many of us rely on them for work and staying connected to our loved ones. But if it’s the first thing you check in the morning and the last thing you look at before sleep—especially if it’s cutting into connection time with your family—it’s a problem that needs to be addressed. When we are on our phones often throughout the day, we feel busier than we actually are because there is no free space to just enjoy the taste of our coffee or watch the sunset.
Try this: Set phone boundaries by creating windows of time throughout the day when you check your emails, social media, etc. When you’re not in your window, put it in your purse, a drawer, or better yet, shut it down completely. When you’re not mindlessly scrolling newsfeeds, you’ll be surprised at how much free time there actually is in a day.
5.Your calendar is jam-packed, and you’re dreading most of it.
Most days, there’s something going on. You’re running your kids to this practice and that recital. You’re volunteering here and there. You’re teaching Sunday School and leading a Cub Scouts den. It’s all very admirable, but you’re just one person, and you can only do so much. Do what you enjoy, but only do your fair share. Often times, we get roped into doing things we dread because our boundaries are soft and we don’t want to disappoint, but when you’re dreading your busy schedule every week, your health and happiness suffer.
Try this: Knock two things off your calendar this month. Just two. Plus make sure there are at least 5 days a month with absolutely nothing scheduled. Those are your rest days and you should have at least one a week.
6.You’re gaining weight around the middle.
Stress floods the body with cortisol, and when you have consistently high cortisol levels, your body not only resists weight loss but actually hoards the fat you eat or have present in your body. It also tends to pile around the abdomen.
Try this: According to a post from Livestrong, you can lower your cortisol levels with B5 and folic acid. Vitamin C helps, too. In addition, aim for 20 minutes per day just to do things you enjoy. Listen to music, read a book, meditate, do yoga, whatever makes you feel calm and content.
7. You catch everything coming and going.
Being overwhelmed, overscheduled, and stressed out weakens your immune system. That same hormone, cortisol, that’s responsible for weight gain is also wreaking havoc on your immune response. If you can’t seem to shake that cold or you just feel generally bad most days, it’s a sign that you need to slow down and take better care of your body and mind.
Try this: Get your heart pumping with cardiovascular exercise to relieve stress quick and get a boost of endorphins. Also, laugh a lot! When you laugh, your nervous system calms down.