I’ve had three or four life-changing issues floating around recently, none of which have any immediate sign of resolving. These sorts of quandaries can put us all on a knife’s edge and, without knowing it, we can become restless, agitated, and stressed.
At times like these, even the smallest of things can tip us over into what I call the ‘freefall’ mode – a feeling we’re tumbling without any safety net to land into – and in an instant, it can manifest into any manner of emotions: anger, helplessness, frustration and in some cases (mine included) panic attacks.
I remember a learned friend telling me about his idea of emotional tanks. Some of us have small ones, and others bigger. As we take on more and more stressful things each day, those tanks start to fill until, when crammed to their limit, we lash out (either externally, or internally) to expel the pressure.
It’s at times like these, we have to take stock… even if it seems impossible. To remind ourselves that all things in life are transient and that ‘usual service will resume soon’. We have to find a way to expel the energy without locking it in or taking it out on another.
Meditation, sitting quietly alone, talking to a good friend, or even prayer can help. But thinking we can just bottle it up and carry on is not a healthy option. We must find relief before moving on, otherwise even the slightest addition will make us blow again.
The best time to learn about what tools work for you is when our tanks are low or empty. Check out useful and free Apps. Look out for a nearby quiet space where you can offload at a moment’s notice. In short, be good to yourself and keep your pressure release valve at hand. But most of all: use it! We can’t avoid life’s pressure, but we can prepare for the inevitable.