When in doubt, reboot

If there’s one thing I’ve learned working in the .com industry for over a decade, it’s that ‘rebooting’ can cure a multitude of computer ills. You’ve been there.  Your computer freezes, your worksheet locks up or you get the blue screen of death.  What’s the first thing the IT guy tells you when you call in a panic?  “Turn it off, and turn it back on again.”  I’ve found that the same goes for the body and mind.

We can easily become overwhelmed by our current life story.  We can may even become paralyzed by indecision at the thought of what we feel we ‘must’ decide right now.  Or we just get plain old burned out. Burnout can show up anywhere and in many forms.  Some people hibernate hoping that hiding from life will make it go away.  Others distract themselves with television or electronic devices.  And some even become anxious, angry or agitated without knowing why. They may lash out at other or become easily irritated by life.

The hardest part of dealing with ‘life burnout’ is taking a step back to see the big picture so that we can act on only what is critical right now. If you’ve ever crashed your computer from having too many applications open at one time, you know that once you reboot, you’re able to focus on the most important thing at that moment.

Rebooting your mind and body can help provide some much needed clarity. You can start by making a list of what’s on your mind and what you feel is weighing you down, then assess what REALLY has to be done vs. self-created stress.

Re-establish a regular schedule and stick to it.  The act of regulating our time can help soothe an erratic mind.  And incorporate yoga or a daily walking meditation into the schedule.  Rebooting by focusing on the body brings us into the present, helps to burn off stored energy, and releases the endorphins that help us cope.

Recognize patterns in your life, and how you let stress build up. See the value in being overwhelmed, reminding you to clear your brain’s browser history every once in a while.  =Be careful not to let the thought of a reboot become a stressor in itself. Take life one moment at a time. If it gets to be too much, turn it off and then turn it on again.

Namaste.

– Your Charmed Yogi

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