August 20, 2013
15 Minutes

Recently, you opened your program talking about meltdowns and how to avoid/deal with them. I have a few things I find helpful. I actually have a lot of meltdowns, and I know intellectually that it's not helpful or productive. Here are a few things I do, depending on the time of day. Sometimes, I just go outside to "cool down" and vent to G-d my frustrations. If it's evening, I find something on TV to help me mentally unwind, such as Big Bang Theory, which makes me laugh.

I also take spin classes and cardio kickboxing at the gym, which allows me to clear my mind, and calm down. After my morning workout, I am usually feeling much better, and ready to tackle the rest of the day.

Then, there are times I am completely overwhelmed. It seems impossible on Friday to cook for Shabbos, fold piles of laundry on my couch, vacuum, sweep and mop the kitchen floor, and change the guinea pig cage. By mid-day, I'm tired, hungry, and just beat. My solution? 15 minutes. I put the timer on, and get something to eat and drink, and just take a few moments to calm myself down. Sometimes it's as simple as taking a shower, or even going outside to water the garden. The idea is to take 15 minutes as a breather, just to give myself a break. This really helps me to calm my nerves, and get back into the rest of my day.

Judy


Posted by Staff at 11:40 AM