It creeps up on us, especially around this time of year. Unwelcome irritability or grumpiness begins to rear its ugly head, unexplained fatigue begins to pull you down, or maybe the things you usually enjoy are not making you smile. Your normally positive relationships at work are suddenly strained and difficult. Sounds a bit like depression, right? But it could just be burnout. Stressors add up quickly and without time to recoup and reset, your brain and body begin to shut down to try to repair the damage from everyday difficulties. How to best beat burnout? When things are moving too fast or feeling too hard, try these 3 steps for a quick fix: solitude, saying no, and self care. First take a mindful moment alone. Just breathe and reconnect with your body to get out of your head and back into the moment. Next, remember you are allowed say no to requests at work or home to regain a little time for yourself. It’s much more healthy to say no to a request that will will overextend your energy than to say yes and end up double booked and frantic. Finally, try a little self care to restore. Maybe a hot bath with essential oils or a cup of tea with the door closed is all you need to reboot your day. Maybe an exercise class or a walk is your self-care solution. Perhaps reaching out for help is your best bet to unburden your cares and call in a little support. Whatever you need, take a moment to find out what that is, and treat yourself to some loving care to avoid burnout. by Karyn Bender | Jan 4, 2016 | Facebookvia Karyn Bender RPh...
It’s the time of year where we take stock of our lives and look at what we aren’t happy with, then make New Year’s resolutions to change the things that we think are wrong with us. Usually by the end of January, we’ve given up on quitting smoking, going to the gym four times a week, sticking to our diets, or whatever else we think will make us happier, healthier, and more complete. For those of us who have a hard time sticking to our resolutions, maybe we should try something different. This year, make one resolution only; stop seeing yourself as someone who needs to be fixed. There is nothing wrong with making goals to improve yourself, but most of the things that we intend to change every New Year aren’t really the problem. The real issue is that we are extremely hard on ourselves. We embrace perfection to the point of being incapable of accepting ourselves just as we are. As a result, we don’t believe that we can be happy right here, right now, regardless of our circumstances. Make a commitment to love yourself and to cherish your beautiful, glorious imperfections. The kinder you are to yourself, the easier it will be to eventually let go of behaviors and habits that no longer serve you. by Karyn Bender | Jan 1, 2016 | Facebookvia Karyn Bender RPh...
We are distracted creatures: attempting to search around ourselves for some sort of warped meaning. If we would only quiet our busy minds, we may realize that there is truth within us. Let us stop looking around us, and fix our eyes upward. There is so much to see. May we look inward, for there is much to learn. Instead of getting lost in the ways of the world, may we find refuge in the, small but sure, light within our souls: twinkling at the sight of ourselves, learning to trust, to believe, to give, and to reflect. To have true courage, and to respect our beautifully authentic self. by Karyn Bender | Dec 30, 2015 | Facebookvia Karyn Bender RPh...
Are you muddling through chronic pain? Look no further than the beautiful orange-flowered plant, California poppy. Besides being the official state flower of California since 1903, it was traditionally used as food and medicine for hundreds of years by indigenous peoples. The orange flowers, which are slightly sweet and rich in carotenoids, were eaten like candy, and the young leaves were boiled and eaten as a vegetable. Nowadays, it is revered for being an excellent herb for easing pain, and is especially useful for those who have difficulty sleeping due to aches and pains. Basic science shows that the herb acts on GABA receptors in the brain, similar to a benzodiazepine without the habit-forming tendency of the drug, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a safe way to ease anxiety, pain, and insomnia. by Karyn Bender | Dec 23, 2015 | Facebookvia Karyn Bender RPh...
Many of us are in the healing industry because we are givers and want to help. Sometimes we give and give until there is very little of us left. Then we wonder why we are exhausted, unhappy, and ill. The truth of the matter, is that healers are rarely the most important person in the room. Everyone else’s needs come first. One of the keys to a happy, healthy, and rich life, is understanding that it’s necessary to put yourself first sometimes. Loving ourselves enough to create good boundaries and giving ourselves the nurturing that we need, is a vital part of our health and wellness. It’s almost impossible for us to empower our clients to make real changes in their lives if we don’t step into our own power. You matter just as much as everyone else, so stop trying to make yourself smaller. Your passion and your life’s purpose are valuable, so treat them with the respect that they deserve. Treat them with the same regard that you give to your clients. by Karyn Bender | Dec 16, 2015 | Facebookvia Karyn Bender RPh...
Am I exhausted, or is this caregiver burnout? People often write off their burnout as being another illness or simply being tired. There are some common signs of caregiver burnout that you should know about. Early indicators of caregiver stress, like difficulty sleeping and overacting, will help you know when it’s time to seek support. By taking on caregiving responsibilities without any support or scheduled breaks, you’ll have a difficult time staying afloat. By requesting that others support you, you’ll be better able to avoid complete exhaustion. If you feel like your currently experiencing caregiver stress, then there are things that you can do immediately to help you get support. The first is to speak up. Although this may seem silly, people have a hard time standing up for themselves. In this case, by speaking up, you’ll be better able to communicate your needs to your loved ones. If you’re looking for support outside of your immediate network, feel free to contact me on karynbender.com for a consultation to see if you may be muddling through caregiver burnout and to find strategies to get you back on your feet. by Karyn Bender | Dec 9, 2015 | Facebookvia Karyn Bender RPh...
