Tag: stress

Jawbreaker

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As a human, I’ve encountered stress. And my body unfortunately takes the brunt of it. My shoulders and neck become tight and I usually get a tension headache. But the main thing that happens is I clench my jaw real tight. Without even noticing it.

So, imagine my surprise when my dentist saw through me and asked if I had been clenching my jaw. I blinked at her and said yes. She said, “your mouth should be slightly parted at all times. You should never clench your jaw.”

Which, frankly, blew my mind. Now I was suddenly noticing all the times I clenched my jaw without realizing it, and all my focus was on opening my mouth, even just partly.

Which got me thinking about all the things we do without us realizing that actually get us into trouble. Like how we react to things without thinking how our reaction really affects us and those around us. How we eat food without thinking of how it will cause us to gain pounds down the road. How we stay up late at night without thinking about the consequences of having to get up for work the next day.

And so, I think it’s all time we think about these things. Even in a conscious effort to do a little better every day.

I still clench my jaw. But now I know what I’m looking for.

Love,

Bailey

Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

Bailey Gunn1 Comment

How many people a day ask you how you are? And how do you respond? Good? Fine? And how do you want to respond? Terrible? Could have been worse? But you appreciate them asking, right? Because it’s polite and it gives you a second to wonder how you really are.

And do you ask yourself how you’re doing? I know, I know; talking to yourself is frowned upon. But checking in with yourself is a good idea.

I did so today. I asked myself, “am I good?” and my body went through an inventory of check-ins: I’m fed, I’m watered, I have work to do, I seem to be happy. And a warm spread of happiness flowed through me. And I went on with my day.

Try it. See if you can sink inside yourself and ask, “Am I okay?” and you’ll find that you are or you’re not, most generally. And then you can continue or try to fix it. And it only takes a moment.

So, try to take stock of yourself when you’re the busiest and when you’re the most stressed out. You might find that even though you outwardly feel pressure, your insides might be at peace. And who knows, when you feel your worse, you might be performing at your best.

Irony

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Do you know what real irony is?

When you grow up as a budding theater major, who had little to no problem getting up in front of her closest peers and reciting Shakespeare, and winning competitions, no less…

And then having to get up in front of a small group of people to give a work presentation and basically going out wicked witch of the west style into a melted puddle of embarrassment…

What is the deal? Where do I get my adult card punched so that I can get up in front of people and speak? Why is it so different from making a PowerPoint to baring my soul through literature?

I wish this was easier and I didn’t care so much. But if I didn’t care, what would be the point at all?

My definition of irony is acting apathetic when it actually means the world to you. So don’t be afraid to go down swinging. Just giving it everything you have will yield your best results, even if you could care less.

Today is Cancelled

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I showed up to my train station this morning only to find out that there were no trains scheduled to run due to a power outage.

And from that moment on, today has been a day of cancellations. Cancelled meetings, cancelled lunches, cancelled cancels.

And so, because today is a Monday, I’m just going to go ahead and say today is cancelled.

Which, as an adult with a full time list of responsibilities, cancelling can mean that one day can do you a world of good. Just unload your plate so you can push yourself away from the table sometimes. Take a deep breath and smell the roses.

So today is cancelled. We’ll try again tomorrow.

New Year’s Resolutions

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Whether or not you actually believe in them, I think it is still worthy to write down things that you want to do this year. Even if you abandon them by February, at least you have a goal.

Mine are:

1. Write more

2. Lose weight

3. Learn a language

4. Be more assertive

5. Be more grateful

What are yours?

My Hero

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I think it’s really easy sometimes to go with the flow. To think everything is going to work out. That if you just pray/wish/want hard enough, then it’ll all be to your satisfaction.

But I’m here to remind you that the Knight didn’t get the princess by wishing she was there. He did something – he climbed the back wall/tower/gate and rescued the princess from the dragon/evil stepmother/her fate.

And I’d also like to point out that sometimes, the princess can save herself. And that’s important to remember too. Because if you don’t see your knight anywhere and he’s not on the horizon, then it’s probably you.

So you want your happily ever after? Get up and save yourself. Or call your knight. Just do something.

Being Kind to Myself

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I’m sorry (not sorry) that I didn’t post last night. I was too busy being kind to myself.

My body said I was tired, and for once in my life, I listened to my body and I obeyed. And now I feel better.

So every now and again, you should listen to what your body needs, not what your mind is telling you you should be doing. It’s easy. Take a few deep breaths and open your ears. Your body won’t be shy.

So, what is your body telling you?

Get Home Safely

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People always say that others are fighting hard battles and you should be kind to everyone you meet, even if they’re rude.

And I think that’s correct. But I think it could use some editing. Everyone’s facing a hard battle every day and everyone is just trying to get home safely.

We’re all just trying to get through our day so that we can go home and see our loved ones or spend time with people we enjoy.

So if you’re commute is a terror, remember that everyone is trying to get home safely. If someone is particularly rude, they probably would just rather be at home. And if you forget that everyone is fighting a hard battle, at least try to remember that they’d like to get home safely to pet their cats and dogs, to eat the food they bought, and sit on the couches and be comfortable.

Everyone, at the end of the day, just wants to be comfortable.

Sick and Tired

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Sorry about the ghost post last night. I️ was feeling mildly ill, like a cold was coming on, and I️ couldn’t keep my eyes open. So instead of posting, I️ went to bed.

Because I️ was sick and tired. And not just of the oncoming cold – I️ was sick and tired of the routine. Get up, go to work, come home, eat my feelings, sleep off the day. Bad habits on a hamster wheel.

And it’s exactly because I️ was sick and tired that I️ decided to make a change. Especially with my eating routine. I️ actually didn’t eat anything I️ was allergic to this week. Which is crazy, because I’m allergic to most things at this point.

But I️ just think it’s funny that when you’re at your wit’s end, when you’re fed up, when you’re sick and tired, that’s when you’re at the best point to make a change. To do something about your situation. To be a better person.

So if you’re sick and tired, don’t give up. Just get up and make a change.

Passing Through

Bailey Gunn2 Comments

It’s gonna pass like a kidney stone or a rainstorm but it’ll pass!

Because all time passes. The time spent waiting in line, the time spent at work, the time you spend relaxing, the time you spend in pain. It all passes at the same rate.

Sure, time flies when you’re having fun. And it seems you have to kill time at other times. But it all passes whether you’re watching the clock or not.

And I think that bears a friendly reminder. Even if you want time to pass, it’s going to take its good old…well, time. So, why not treasure the moment instead of dread it? Why not smile in this minute instead of waiting for it to pass? Why must we always be focused on moving time forward or remembering

back when or slowing down for a feeling?

If you’re focused on your goals and passions, time will take care of itself. Because time isn’t the one moving — You’re just passing right on through.