The end of December brings timely reflection for us to think about how we spent 2022:
What were the good parts? What were the worst parts? How much did we spend? How little did we spend? Did we spend enough time with friends? Did we spend enough time with family? What else is there to accomplish? What else is there to finish? Etc.
But this year we challenge you to think about this question:
What are you carrying?
No, we’re not talking about your bag. Or your purse. Not your wallet, or your keys.
We’re talking about the weight that makes your jaw clench. That makes your body tight like a rubber band ready to snap. Your walk stiff. Your mind uneasy and racing – unable to rest or to eat.
Oftentimes, we can’t help but think about, what we call, “all the things”. The bills, people, pets, car, job, goals we didn’t achieve, the home, the family, and all that we can’t think of right now but *know* there’s something – we’ve thought about it all.
But coming into 2023 we must shift our thinking. Our worries easily become stress. And stress? Can affect us in ways we don’t imagine.
In a poll conducted for the American Psychological Association, it concluded that “Americans are struggling with multiple external stressors that are out of their personal control, with 27% reporting that most days they are so stressed they cannot function.” From this poll, adults then reported that the stress impacted their health, and they experienced headaches, fatigue, feeling nervous or anxious, feeling depressed and sad, feeling overwhelmed, experiencing changes in sleeping habits, and worrying constantly.
So, how do we do it? How do we unclench our jaws, take care of ourselves, worry less, and figure out how to limit the ways stress takes over?
Simple: We ask for help – from our family, friends, neighbors, community, and services.
We’ve all heard the saying “it takes a village.” And this means for us too.
Help can look like so many different things – asking for help making a meal or meal prepping, asking for help with school pick up or drop off, asking for community resources to help with your everyday, asking a neighbor for help with a home repair, and even, asking your financial counselor for budgeting support.
Oftentimes stress and worry can creep up on us and we don’t even realize it! This upcoming year, let yourself exceed above expectations and ask your village for help. We’re here for you.
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