Let’s Beat the Heat
Can we just acknowledge that we’re melting? It’s been over 100° in Texas for a month and gas prices are crazy and the political climate is at an all time yuck and frankly I am ready for a break.
How about you? You doing ok in your world? Are you melting too?
I have a few tricks for dealing with these kinds of challenging times that I thought I’d share. We all need some new ways to cope, ammiright?
- Get cool. Ok yes, air-conditioning is the bomb, but also staying cool emotionally is important! Maybe I’m the only one who boils over too often? When I feel myself heating up, being cranky, overreacting to the guy who cut me off in traffic, I take a beat to cool off. I just stop. I tell myself, “This is actually nothing. Everyone is dealing with something and my issues are small.” Just throw some emotional ice on that heated up mood!
- Make small changes. So maybe I can’t change the entire political climate. But I can change the way I react to those things. I don’t have to get nasty or so upset that I say rude things. I can listen to people, see beyond the words into a hurting heart and give grace. A long, deep breath and some calming inner dialog can really go a long way when I need to change the way I react.
- Get away. I’ve been getting away a lot lately since I’ve been setting up our new vacation rental property. Oh sure, I’ve been working while I’m there. But it’s been a break from home and all of the work of keeping up with the house we’ve lived in for over 20 years. The new place, even though I’ve had tasks to complete, has felt like a break from my regular life and it’s been really nice. I can tell it’s calmed me in unexpected ways. If you can’t buy a new house to fix up, maybe try renting one for a week to relax in, or make a staycation list and DO IT.
- Share a ride! To cut the cost of driving around by asking a friend to ride along. Go to a fun restaurant or play pickle ball or find a third friend to go visit! Ask a neighbor if you can pick up anything for them at the grocery store. This could be a new trend! What a special way to help one another.
- Take good care of yourself! This is last but not least. WHY do I have to remind myself of this constantly?! I start off strong with a plan to do some self-care and then I slip. My kids need me and tasks have to be done and if I am not intentional I find myself collapsing into bed at night wondering how I let plan that go. It helps to have a list ready and MAKE 10 minutes during the day to do some of the things on that list. A few ideas might be drink lemon water, listen to some music, text a friend, go outside and walk around with your shoes off, organize a drawer, clean off a surface or corner or car trunk that’s been bugging you, turn on your diffuser, floss your teeth, there are so many things you can do in 10 minutes or less that will make your day better!
Let’s take this hot situation as an opportunity for growth and change. I for one am looking forward to some outdoor time today in the pool. But without a pool at our Garland house we have just been playing in the hose to keep cool. Make it work my friends…we can do this!
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