I don’t know about you, but my mind has been running on her gerbil wheel. There are so many things happening in the world – and sometimes it’s hard to turn off my messy mind. Instead, in her attempt to control what’s happening, she goes into overdrive. 

While I realize that this is a trauma response I carry from years of uncertainty, it doesn’t mean I have to feed it a gourmet meal! Instead, I can notice my overworking and overworked mind and seek ways to give her (and me) a mental break. 

It can be hard to do so. Sometimes I wake in the early morning hours and my mind mysteriously goes into this overdrive. I know she’s guarding me. I just want to give her a way to stand down. 

I wonder if you feel this way too. 

If so, then we can work together to practice radical self-care. Because there is really nothing I can solve with my messy mind. I can only be like a dog I had once – digging indiscriminate holes in the yard. She wasn’t digging holes with the intention of getting out. She was simply digging holes. Holes randomly anywhere in the yard. The middle, along well-trod paths, hidden away in odd corners. Her purpose was to dig. That’s it, just dig. I see my busy mind working that way too – so she and I need to tap into peace inducing actions instead. 

For instance, when I awaken early, I unroll my yoga mat. I know when my mind is this busy that being on the mat will help me get back inside my body. I chose yoga music from Spotify and put my earbuds in. I love the way my earbuds create a sense of privacy around me – another thing to remember as mind soothing.

I move through yoga poses lingering longer in the ones I know to be restorative. I sip water. Breathe deeply. Take my time. By slowing down in this way, I am gently able to release that gerbil from her crazy wheel. As I breathe more deeply my mind begins to clear a little bit. I can let go of worry knowing it is unproductive and even physically harmful to me. 

After that, I get up and begin my morning routine. Quietly make coffee. Open the blinds in my office. Look for and setting out books that may offer peace or comfort or wisdom. Setting aside my phone and resisting the temptation to numbingly scroll. 

It’s not about putting pressure on myself to do all or any of these few things. When I’m able, I trust my mind to let me know what I need most. It might not be yoga but instead a walk. Or a bit of reading and coffee and then a swim. It is more about taking the time to go slowly. To seek wisdom. To reconnect with my whole being. 

When you find yourself wrestling with your own mind, what do you do to give yourself rest instead? Is there something counterintuitive? Something that will bring you back to grounding? Something to make room for your wholeness? 

Meditation, music, movement, nature, poetry, sacred texts are resources we have. Which ones are  your go-to?