You may feel overwhelmed with tasks as the Hill Country gets back to a faster pace of life. Everything is happening at once. You schedule every minute you have for something important or for someone else’s needs. You’re clearing the debris and studying the weather patterns so that you can prepare for the next storm.

You are a provider. You take care of your people. And you might be running out of gas.

You need to take care of yourself.

I have been there. Right where meeting deadlines meets running on fumes is the perfect place to pause. Even before you feel like you are at a burnout, pause.

Tip #1: Pause

Schedule time for yourself. Pause when you wake up.

Pause when you sit down to eat.

Pause before you make your nest at night.

Pausing is our first idea for balancing work with play.

If you have trouble shifting gears, hang out for a minute in neutral. Don’t go anywhere. Don’t do anything.

Just look out the window. Better yet, close your eyes and sit comfortably in a quiet place, alone, if you can manage, for as long as possible. This will help you clear your mind.

Tip #2: Befriend

During roaring fits of anxiety, making friends may not feel natural. Unloading the train wreck in your head could feel like latching on to someone for attention. But nobody is going to judge you for being human. In fact, people will respect your authenticity if you share the messy bits as well as the picture perfect moments.

I’m not saying burden others with your problems 24/7. Rather, when you have taken a minute to gather your thoughts, go out to lunch with a buddy. It could really make a difference in your internal narrative.

We tend to be our own worst critics. Listening to a friend’s perspective might help you see the good in the situation. And if you don’t feel like delving into your problems, light conversation with a friend is way better than solo narratives bouncing back and forth between your ears.

Communicate your needs clearly so that you can find peace in the center of the storm. Communicating with your loved ones is the key to a better mindset. Even if they don’t agree, you can bounce your ideas off them and realize things as you say them better than you could if you were to just talk to yourself at home.

The ones you love connect you to a Higher Power. Think of how your favorite person fills you with joy when you see them. Pausing to be thankful for your loved ones is essential for the longevity of your internal love energy.

Be thankful for the people in your life. Give thanks to God that He shines in their eyes.

If you don’t feel motivated to get out of your funk on your own, surround yourself with a tribe of like minded people who can lift you up, encourage you, and help you stay on track.

Don’t have one? Join ours at Digital Yoga Academy! Thousands of awesome and inspiring yogis are getting together online, and we want you to join us for an amazing Master Class: SUPER YOGI TRIBE!!!

Tip #3 Breathe Fresh Air

That sunlight or moonlight you see is shining down upon you in a song of praise because you are here staring back at it. God’s put you here on this Earth so that you can enjoy nature. “All things flow from nature for the benefit of the universe of which thou art a part.” - Marcus Aurellius

No matter what you’re going through, take a little mental holiday from it. The world will keep spinning if you stop thinking about your problems for an hour, half an hour, or five minutes if that’s all you can manage. Take a walk. Step outside, take a big breath of fresh air, enjoy the view.

You will have a much clearer head if you add a walk to your schedule.

Visit the River Trail. Bring your dog to Flat Rock, or for porch beer at Basement Brewer’s.

Speaking of, would any of my yogis be interested in Pint and Pose, yoga and beer? Let me know in the comments below what time would work best for your schedule.

The light in me respects and honors the light in you.

Namaste