How you can reach a decision when you need a clear head and trusted judgment and don’t have time to phone a friend:
If you spend any time watching the news or on social media, you are most likely feeling stress. I advise no more than a few minutes of news exposure per hour, and no more than an hour per day. Give your emotions time to process what you are seeing and use discretion when taking in news and social media. Too much can be very stressful! You don’t have to keep watching or scrolling!
Hint: CNN has a “The Good Stuff” email you can subscribe to as a reminder there is good stuff happening.
Unfortunately, most of the information we get from the news is negative, scary, and worse, contradictory. Depending on your source, you can get information that indicates some activities are safe, and another source says those same activities are risky. It’s very difficult to decide what to do and not to do in these uncertain times.
When you are faced with a challenging situation, and you have to make a choice, It’s always best to take as much time as you can to calm yourself, then research options, and consult an authority you trust before making a decision. But what if you’re under a time crunch and feeling really pressured to decide?
First, be sure you actually need to act now, can this decision be put off until you have time to respond thoughtfully? When you need to act and uncertainty is stopping you from making a choice, instead of letting doubt rule, follow these simple steps:
1 – Stop. When you take a time out, just a moment or two, you can clear your head and make a plan to use whatever resources are available to you at this moment.
2 – Breathe. Take a few deep breaths, this will reset your nervous system and allow you better access to the higher functioning, reasoning part of your brain, you will be able to respond, rather than react. Breathing will help calm your body and mind and relieve the urge to act impulsively.
3 – As you continue to breathe deeply, connect to an archetype. Bring to mind someone you know can help you with this decision. Is there someone in your life you really trust? Someone who acts rationally, uses good judgment, and remains calm in the face of challenge? Who would you ask for advice about your circumstances? Possibly a friend, advisor, or clergy member? Maybe bring to mind the image of your higher self, soul, or even god? Whoever this supportive being is, imagine them in your current situation, and mentally ask them, what would they do?
This method may take less than a minute, but it can save you from poor decisions and regret.
For more tips on living mindfully, check out this blog: S.T.O.R.Y or sign up for a free consultation to see how wellness coaching and mindfulness can lower stress and increase joy!