By: Angela Espinoza

The Mind-Body Connection

The mind-body connection is powerful. Fatigue and burnout may not be strangers to some or most of us as they can be the result of our collective’s value of fierce productivity. We know that there are only so many hours in the day. It is easy to think that we can fill up our day with whatever needs to be done without being completely aware of the time that we are choosing to fill and the energy that we are choosing to invest. Before we know, our day has been packed with “to-dos”.

The mind-body connection is powerful. Fatigue and burnout may not be strangers to some or most of us as they can be the result of our collective’s value of fierce productivity. We know that there are only so many hours in the day. It is easy to think that we can fill up our day with whatever needs to be done without being completely aware of the time that we are choosing to fill and the energy that we are choosing to invest. Before we know, our day has been packed with “to-dos”.

When filling our schedules to their fullest capacity starts to become the new normal, our mind and body begin to bear the weight of doing too much when they are both in need of a slower pace. An invitation to slow down may be easy to receive but might not be as much of a breeze to actually make use of.

Being uncomfortable and even scared to slow down are not uncommon responses, but here’s a little secret: If we do not take the initiative to give ourselves that space and time for needed rest and moments of relaxation, no one will do it for us. Eventually, it is up to us to give ourselves permission to do so despite being encouraged to do the opposite through our cultural and/or social values.

Resting the Mind: What Do We Need and How Do We Know?

To-do, to-dos, to-dos… They seem never ending. Has it ever felt like a million thoughts are running through your mind? If so, many of us can relate! You are not alone <3 Soon enough, we may notice a headache, feeling like we just need to pause for a second to recollect and configure our thoughts, or maybe feeling confused and as if we need to frequently remind ourselves what we are doing.

When we have done too much and have not given ourselves time to pause and rest, our mind begins to wear down. It asks us for space to decompress, but it is up to us to acknowledge when it is time to go slow or even stop and pause altogether. Focusing our thinking and attention elsewhere is important to nurture our mind and to water it with enjoyable, low-energy activities. 

Resting our mind comes in the form of supporting ourselves however we need. Literally! Choosing a particular setting, certain genre of music, a specific type of tv show, and even choosing a particular article of clothing to wear can all help us take care of ourselves when we are mentally fatigued.

Resting the Body: What Do We Need and How Do We Know?

Do you ever feel like you just want to be tucked away on a sofa or in your comfy bed because you don’t feel like doing much? Being out of energy can become a constant when we exert ourselves to do too much at work, around our living space, always saying “yes” to being somewhere or doing something that someone else has asked of us, as well as having strict and rigid routines and timelines without much flexibility. 

Physical tiredness can lead to burnout. This usually happens when the root cause/s of our tiredness goes unnoticed and unaddressed. The signs of physical fatigue can be anything from an injury, an illness, spending more time inside our living space (at least more time than usual), not engaging in the activities and hobbies that we like, and decreased enthusiasm and productivity in the workplace and in other areas of our life. 

Although challenging, taking care of the root cause/s of our physical tiredness can serve as an incredible transformative step towards helping us heal our fatigue. Transformative change starts in the small choices that we make from how much of our time we are choosing to let others have, knowing when to stop, pause, and take a break, how we choose to spend the “extra” hour that we have at the end of the day, how we are nourishing the body and mind, making meaningful decisions that align with our intentions, and much more.

Take the break! Take your time! Choose to take care of yourself in the ways that YOU need <3

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Begin Therapy in Austin, TX!

Looking to learn more about mental and physical fatigue? Safe Space Healing Collective can help! We provide mental health counseling, as well as other mental health services. To begin counseling in Austin, TX follow these three steps:

• Contact our office to set up an appointment or to learn more information.
• Meet with one of our knowledgeable therapists.
• Start feeling more seen, heard, and understood!

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Here at Safe Space Healing Collective, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including Complex PTSD, PTSD, Attachment Trauma, Somatic Trauma Work, LGBTQIA+ Mental Health, Identity Exploration, Dissociation, Women’s Issues, Adolescent Issues, Anxiety, Depression, Troubled Childhood, Exploring Sexuality & Gender Expression, Blended Families, Healthy Communication & Conflict Resolution, Relationship Issues, Personal Growth, Life Transitions, Grief & Loss, Family Estrangement, Death & Dying, Career Transitions, Problems at Work & School, Interrupted Sleep/Insomnia. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. To learn more about our therapists and our counseling services, please reach out to the Healing Collective today!