Daily Energy Savers
I’m discovering several things that help me save energy on a daily basis. I feel strongly that these things would have helped me even if I hadn’t experienced brain injury. I just wasn’t ready to make these changes yet :)
I notice that the accumulation of many small things over time can be just as draining as one big thing. Sort of a death-by-a-thousand-cuts situation. I have a tendency to dismiss these small things and then, one day, explode. I call this the “tick…tick…boom.”
In an attempt to prevent this, I try to identify things that drain me and either reduce them or balance them out with things that give me energy. Identifying these things is, honestly, the hardest part. When I’m irritable, defensive, judgmental, and my inner critic gets louder, there is a good chance the balance is off.
Here are some small things that are helping me stay more balanced day to day:
Limit my exposure to media and avoid doom-scrolling
When possible, answer texts or calls at my own pace, instead of in real time
Get racing thoughts out of my head and onto paper (brain dump)
Try to do one thing at a time (at least to start)
Keep a planner and only schedule things I can actually fit in the planner (in other words, try not to over-promise)
Divide goals into very small tasks and file ambitious goals under “grand plans” for later
Rest when I need to and avoid an “I’ll rest when I’m dead” mindset
Resist my deep urge to procrastinate until I can do something “perfectly”
Celebrate accomplishments, no matter how small (keep a log of happy moments, make to-do lists with big check boxes)
Ask for or accept help when I need it (so hard)
Allow myself to feel whatever emotions I’m feeling
Take self-compassion breaks
Make time and space for things that bring me joy (hence, the photo above…)
Links:
Fierce Self Compassion | Kristen Neff ~5 minute Youtube video
Self-Compassion Guided Practices (Kristin Neff) ~5-20 minute guided meditations
The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage | Susan David | TED ~17 minute TED talk
Unlocking Us Podcast: Brene on Comparative Suffering, the 50/50 Myth, and Settling the Ball ~25 minute podcast episode
Instagram accounts I like @danharris, @nedratawwab, @dr.katiefrac
Brain injury links (more on Brain Injury tab):
Making Headway: A Podcast By Brain Injury Survivors For Brain Injury Survivors ~45min-1h podcast episodes (no longer active, but I highly recommend previous episodes)
American Stroke Association | Support Group Finder search tool (support groups have helped remind me that I’m not alone and they’re a great source of information!)
