When you have no more to give...

Each of us go through challenging periods in our lives.  Being a human is exhausting enough but when you add challenges that are outside of average day to day events, sometimes you can just simply have no more to give.  

If you are like me, and giving of yourself is just a natural occurrence, when additional burdens, events, activities, or whatever else you want to call them, happen, it can be exhausting.  

As a coach, I help people during periods like this.  I try to help them see how they can dig just a bit deeper, find just one more positive thing to reflect on or some other tactic to help them make it through. But, not everyone is comfortable reaching out to talk to someone, so if you are one of those, here are some suggestions. 

1) Be kind to yourself.  We have enough challenges just trying to survive.  When you are physically or emotionally on empty, just breathe. Try to give yourself grace to just be in the space you are in.  Do something to relax whether it's taking a walk, sleeping in or just sitting on the couch staring into space.  Your brain and body need to recharge and that's ok! 

2) Give some things up.  Yes, I said it.  Give some things up for now.  Maybe you don't try to keep a perfect house, or maybe you actually take a day off for mental health.  If you are worried your neighbors or coworkers will judge you, who cares?  More than likely, they are too busy worrying about being judged to judge you.  

3) Lean on others.  If you are lucky enough to have dear family or friends, lean on them.  Let them encourage you, take care of you or give you those boosts of positive energy you need.  If they ask how they can help, tell them!  It's ok to have help.  Let them cook a meal, pick something up at the store, or just sit with you and listen.  We are social beings and we need each other.  It's not a weakness. 

4) Recognize the danger signs.  Right away, I will say, I'm not a medical professional of any kind so this is not medical advice.  If you are suffering and having harmful thoughts or in any way feel like you are in danger of hurting yourself or others, seek medical help immediately.   The Suicide and Crisis Hotline number is 988.  You can call or text any time, day or night.   Please do not let a moment in time define the rest of your story.  There are trained professionals that can and want to help.  

Humans are such amazing creatures but sometimes we just need to remember that we aren't robots.  We have to allow our minds and bodies time to recuperate from exhausting events in our lives.  We have to heal from tragic events, mend from broken hearts and all the other challenges we face on a regular basis.  Like I said in #1- be kind to yourself!