I need a minute

Have you been so overwhelmed, and you are like, I need a break? Not now, but RIGHT NOW. I know I have. Life goes up and down each day sometimes, however we have to find balance in all of it. Circumstances and events in life happen so rapidly, we forget to even breath because we are in panic mode reacting to everything. Part of our issue is that we are not proactive enough and do not plan accordingly.

As children, when we were faced with a very stressful situation or even trauma, we would typically call out for our mother or whomever was our primary caregiver for comfort. So listen, when I was about 7 or 8 years old I had just pumped my bicycle tires full or air. I was told more air means you could ride faster. So, I am riding my bike in my neighborhood and I see a pothole. I try to dodge it, but I ended up twisting the handlebars and down I went. I slid a few feet on the pavement. Knees, legs and arms all scratched up. I started crying and yelling I want my mom. Help arrived, I was taken to the hospital and suffered a cracked knee. My mom eventually arrived, and all was well in the world. Although she could not do anything, the comfort of her presence was enough. As an adult, who or what brings you comfort in your stressful or traumatic moment? Do you have a village whose presence is enough for you?

In the event, no one is available, we have to use some self-regulation skills to get us through. I am sure you are like what does self-regulation have to do with me being in the midst of a storm. Ok let me help you. Self- regulation depends on your own personal awareness, skills and information available for you to process. Basically, it is a skill we need to help us reach a particular goal. This skill should happen automatically, however if it is underdeveloped it may not.

Why does any of this matter? All of us experience stress, trauma and life. When this happens, take a moment to self-regulate. Ask yourself, what am feeling, what is happening and what do I need to get done. Sometimes this may take a few seconds, and other times it may take hours. However, you need to take a necessary break and process everything. I encourage you to identify those people, places or things that provide you comfort. Have them on standby and readily accessible. Think of it as your personal EMS village.  As you consider how you are going to #DoBetter in your life, I encourage you to take a moment to breath, stretch, shake, walk, run, jump or sip your favorite beverage and check-in with YOU and your village so you can be your optimal self as you move forward.