In the September Issue:
She felt she couldn't go on. She was frustrated by everything. No one seemed to care, and she didn't know what to do. It felt like she was drowning under the weight of it all.
The headache was becoming more frequent and she was losing focus on the tasks at hand. She often thought she should have it checked out by a doctor, but she never seemed to have the time.
So many mothers in business have a similar story. How many times have you put your own needs, health and well being to the side, to take care of your family, your work or others? We often feel like we need to glide across the pond of life looking unflustered, while we are vehemently kicking our legs underneath the surface to make things work. The result usually is BURNOUT and poor health. Sometimes, unfortunately, we seek help when it is too late, and some significant damage has been done.
It's important to recognize the early signs of overwhelm and take steps to prevent it from progressing.
There are 3 simple things that you can do today to help avoid burnout and protect your health.
They are the BREAK, TAKE, MAKE triad.
Break for a breath.
We all know how important it is to take a breath. Whenever you are working with your full concentration or even under pressure, it can be similar to holding your breath.
Taking a 2-5 minute break every hour is a good start. You can then increase that to every 30 minutes, as time goes on. The goal of this break is for you to consciously take deep breaths and notice how the breath moves within you.
The benefits of this practice are many, including making more oxygen available to the tissues of the body, therefore ensuring their appropriate function, and calming the mind.
Take a stretch and move.
The typical working day for an office job, or for many entrepreneurs, involves many hours in one particular posture, which is often sitting down in front of an electronic device. It has been found that sitting for long hours is linked to poor health and stress. The human body is made of body fluids that are in constant motion. However, efficient movement of these fluids is facilitated by the movement of the muscles. That is why exercise is very important.
Even if you have to sit through much of your workday, a simple step to improve the situation would be to ensure you take a regular stretch, followed by movement (this could be a walk, jog, run or dance).
Make a journal entry regularly.
When you do the first 2 components of the triad, you will notice your body communicating with you. This comes through as discomfort, sounds, tension, pressure, etc. These are important to make a note of and reflect on to increase your self awareness. By increasing your self awareness, you will be able to recognize subtle signs, and know when to call for help.
These 3 steps will reduce the stress that builds up in your body on a daily basis. These practices are not only helpful but they are fun to do. Incorporate them into your day and enjoy the benefits.
MEET DR. DUNNI ATALABI - FOUNDER & CEO, DRUWA ACADEMY
Dr. Dunni is the award-winning Mum Empowerment coach, family doctor, international speaker, bestselling author, host on the Well-being 4 Mothers Show and CEO of Druwa Academy.
She empowers mothers to break free from feeling overwhelmed and exhausted in their multiple roles, while enhancing their overall well-being, using courses, coaching, and membership programs to share practical ways to avoid ill health and promote holistic well-being.
She was awarded top 500 Global Influential Leaders by Brainz Magazine and top 50 Courageous Women. She also received the Global Woman Rising Star Award. She has been featured in Brainz Magazine, Courageous Woman Magazine, Business Woman Today, Global Woman Magazine, and Thrive Global.
Connect with Dr. Dunni HERE!
