ZFLG’s Monthly Newsletter, featuring interview with Janet Price

You’re not alone!  We’re all experiencing our emotional resources running low as we cope with the challenges of the past year and a half, as well as our day-to-day stressors.

Zonder Family Law Group sat down with Life Transition Coach, Janet Price of JP Coaching and Consulting in Malibu, to get her insight into emotional fatigue and how to recharge.

ZFLG:  In your experience, what are some of the key indicators that a person is suffering from emotional fatigue?

JP:  The best way to know if you’re experiencing emotional fatigue is if you feel like you’re on a hamster wheel and can’t get off.   Another way of thinking about it is that you feel as though your life is in charge of you instead of you being in charge of your life.  In addition, people may experience a variety of symptoms including irritability, dulled senses, high anxiety, difficulty socializing, lack of sense of humor, limited patience with others, and increased usage of substances to numb our reality.  

ZFLG:  Obviously the COVID pandemic has been a huge source of anxiety for everyone and now we are seeing an epidemic of emotional and mental fatigue.  What are your thoughts about that?

JP:  There are the direct concerns caused by the COVID pandemic – such as health, safety, and finances.  But I think it’s the silent impact which is causing the emotional fatigue.  The silent impact stems from a fear of the unkown and of the future, close living quarters for an extended period, and a lack of social stimulation with others. 

All of these things have us feeling as though we have no power or control over our lives and we don’t know when it may end.  It feels defeating and then the emotional fatigue sets in.

ZFLG:  There’s definitely comfort in knowing there’s many other folks out there who are experiencing this and that you’re not alone!  What are three things people can do right now which will help alleviate their emotional fatigue?

JP:  Yes, it is comforting to know we are not alone, but the wonderful thing is each of us do have control over our lives and we have to remember that!  Once you claim this, the three most important things you can do to change how you’re feeling are to Live with Intention, Practice Gratitude, and Focus on the Present.  The great news is that they are all free and available to everyone!

In order to Live with Intention, begin by imagining what you want your life to be like.  Then set daily intentions to get you there.  For example, if your intention is to achieve a body composition which is 10 pounds lighter with muscle tone, your first daily intention could be something like, “Today I will exercise and drink 16 ounces of water.”

Practicing Gratitude is something we can do no matter what our circumstances are!   There is always something to be grateful for and celebrate!  When we change our mind and focus on gratitude, the weight we carry seems to be much lighter.  For me, I reflect and remind myself of all the blessings I have every morning before I get up and every evening before I go to bed.  This starts my day with the right mindset and allows me to sleep peacefully – which is really needed during these times.

Focusing on the Present will help to slow down that go-go-go mind we have.  The moment you find yourself moving from one thing to the next without paying attention to what you’re doing, stop, breathe in deeply, close your eyes, exhale, and say out loud or to yourself “I am here right now.”

Another way to bring yourself back to the present is to close your eyes and pay attention to your toes.  Wiggle them, see how they feel as you’re breathing in and out deeply.  When you are really connected to the feeling of your toes, move up to your feet and onto your calves.  Do this for your entire body.

If you’re out and about, a way to bring you to the present moment is to stop – put your phone down! – and look at your surroundings.  Focus on the tiny things around you.  Is there a bug in the grass that you can watch or a child in the distance laughing and playing?  Observe it and take it all in.

Zonder Family Law Group 805-777-7740

hello@zonderfamilylaw.com

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