Woooo Saaaaaa!

Before you read this, I want to do an exercise together. Please humor me :)

Take a deep breath....inhale for 8 seconds filling up your lungs completely. Then exhale for 8 counts pushing out all the oxygen until you think you can't possibly blow out any more air.

Now do this twice more, please. As you exhale, imagine you are pushing out any stress you have from work, relationships, or life in general. It is leaving your body with your breath.

Now roll your shoulders up and back 5 times slowly. I know I can't see if you are doing it or not, but I know some of you are not....please do it :)

Now close your eyes, imagine a peaceful place, and count to 20 in your head.

That was an example of a mini relaxation/meditation session that you can and should do anytime you are feeling too tightly wound.

Have you ever had a day or week where you are 'over it'? I mean, you are over work, you are over housework, you are over relationship drama, or plain and simply over it all! If you have ever felt this way, it is pretty safe to say you were a genuine crankapotamous while being 'over it.

Crankapotamous: n, an individual with a stink eye and snarling smirk, desiring a night on the couch in pj's with snack of choice (and lots of chocolate) and a heavy supply of wine.

It's okay to be cranky. Somedays we can't pin point exactly why we are cranky, and as much as we would like to shake the mood, we just can't. Sometimes hormones play a role, stressful work issues or the ebbs and flows of life rock our smooth waters. We all have what I like to call our pressure points that play a role in our mood as well.

Pressure Points: events, people, or feelings that trigger stress or create pressure on you mentally.

It is important to eliminate your pressure points daily and whenever in your control. This helps contribute to an overall happy feeling and a state of well being where you are free of road blocks on the path to being the BEST YOU! Here is what I mean by ackowledging your pressure points and keeping them at bay. My main onces, as silly as they sound, are below:

Quita's Pressure points:

Being Tired: I aim to get 7-8 hrs of sleep a night with very little exceptions. If I get less one night, I make sure the next night I am back on track

Being Hungry: I don't function well when my blood sugar is low and I get cranky when I don't feel at my best. Since high school I have always carried an apple in my purse and I have almonds or trail mix in my car.

Being Hot: Sounds silly....I don't mind sweating when I am working out or being active outside, but when it is 100 degrees in Texas I don't care to sweat when I am already clean. I wear sundresses, or shorts and airy tank tops in the summer and I don't eat outside. Jeans? NO WAY!

Being Physically Uncomfortable: I can't stand feeling restricted by my clothing. I may have a bit of a hyper-sensory sensitivity but I combat this by buying clothes that fit right. If I have only flattering clothes that aren't too tight in my closet, getting dressed is easy and I'm confident all day long. (Ps if you haven't worn something in 2 seasons or it is too small.....Goodwill or Salvation Army, baby!) Let Go Let Flow!

Loud Noises: (especially if I am trying to concentrate): Once agian 'hyper-sensory sensitivity'...I turn music off in the car when following directions. I don't work in loud coffee shops or with the radio on. Also, if I need a moment to think when in a group, I just ask for it.

*** People might give you crap while you are trying to eliminate your pressure points, but ignore them and do what is right for you.

Okay Okay, so what if you do your best to eliminate these things, but one day you wake up and are feeling the blues? That is okay! Acknowledging that you are in that mood, and that this too shall pass, will help tremendously. The main thing here is to not bring anyone else down or take them out while your in a funk. Being kind to your family, friends, and loved ones will help move you into a new state of emotion. Many times we breakdown and yell at or say things we don't mean to those closest to us because they are our safe haven. We feel comfortable enough around them to let our true colors or ugly side hang out! However, these are those we care about most and if we loose our cool we end up feeling regret and/or remorse later which will keep us in our funk longer.

This is where communication comes into play. Communication is fundamental in having positive and thriving relationships. It's ok to answer your phone and tell your loved one, 'hey it's been one of those days and I don't want to talk about right now, but how is your day!? ' It's also ok not to even answer the phone if you don't have anything positive to say.

Another thing to think about when a mood sets in and lasts longer than typical...What Is Eating Gilbert Grape? Is there something missing in your life to make it completely full and satisfying? Are you in a career that just drains you and you have no passion for? Are you in a relationship that drags you down and all you do is give? Are you lacking quality time with quality friends? It is important to evaluate your life ocassionally and see if you are getting the most out of it. If you feel unsatisfied go find what is missing. It may seem scary to abandon whatever routine you are in, but trust me, there is nothing like the feeling you get when you find what is missing.

Last exercise of the blog....everyone, say it with me....woooooo saaaaaa! Happy hump day folks...we are on the downhill to the weekend :)