Squeeze
When life gets a little bit too much, it can start to feel like there is a squeeze on our time, emotions, finances and relationships. It is common to feel overwhelmed, especially when we are ‘stretching ourselves too thin’. Being in an environment where we feel constantly under pressure, due to excessive demands and expectations, often leads to feeling anxious and anxiousness can have a negative impact on our mental health.
When the stress of the squeeze sets in, it’s important to know that while at times if feels like breaking point, it can also be an opportunity to stop, pause, reassess, and find balance in our lives.
One effective way to get rid of the squeeze is to set boundaries. It’s important to learn to say no to tasks and events, which don’t supplement our overall objective in life or take away from our emotional, physical or financial health. Understanding that prioritising what is important to us and dealing with it first, will help us remain focused and make a plan.
In times of peak stress, it’s also important to focus on self-care; whether it’s taking the time to switch off with an early night after a stress-filled week, or taking 15 mins out of the day to relax in a bubble bath. Other simple yet effective strategies, that can help reduce stress levels and allow us to perform better, include deep breathing and mindfulness exercises, that can relax and refresh our minds.
If the squeeze is due to emotions, then it is important to focus on self-awareness, and learn to separate yourself from the emotion and recognise a pattern. Writing down how we are feeling and why can be a helpful tool to understanding and allowing better control of our emotions. Plus, when people are struggling with their mental health in daily life, there is always the option to talk to a professional.
In times of stress when the squeeze is becoming a struggle, it’s important to accept that we can’t always do everything and that although life can be unpredictable and often chaotic, we don’t have to be. By taking the time to make a plan and setting appropriate boundaries, whilst still looking after one’s physical and mental wellbeing, it is possible to manage life’s ‘squeeze’, giving ourselves more freedom and control in situations which otherwise may have felt overwhelming.
No matter how overwhelming and daunting the squeeze can feel, it is possible to take back control. By focusing on self-care, setting boundaries and finding techniques which reset our mental and physical state, it is possible to deal with the squeeze and come out stronger with a refreshed and motivated attitude once more.
