Living in Survival Mode
Do you often ever feel that you’re just going through the motions of life but not really living? You check off your list of obligations: Going to work, completing tasks, getting to the gym, making appointments, taking kids to practices, and maintaining required social commitments. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in “survival mode.” Being so over-saturated with demands, you simply tune out the noise and get through it without any joy. It can feel like living a movie montage where you see the main character slowly moving through the blurred-out world around them.
Are you surviving instead of thriving?
Do you struggle to let go of tasks or delegate them to others?
Does a last minute change on your calendar make it nearly impossible to maintain your schedule?
Do you minor interruptions completely disrupt your productivity?
If you feel like everything creates stress and anxiety, and people are always on “pins and needles” around you, it may be time to consider what is causing these reactions. Stress is a normal part of life and something we deal with daily. However, when your inability to regulate stress affects your quality of life and relationships it may be time to seek support.
Life isn’t getting less busy, but constantly operating in survival mode will not allow you to grow and thrive. Our bodies cannot distinguish where our feelings of fear and anxiety come from. Whether it’s a looming deadline at work or a high-stress family confrontation, our brains process extreme stress as real threats to our physical being. It is exhausting and detrimental to your health to operate in this constant state of turmoil.
Therapy Can Help Turn Simply Surviving into Thriving
A therapist cannot take away the stressors in your life. They can help you uncover any hidden trauma that may be linked to your reactions. Therapy will also provide you with suggestions as to how to cope with these feelings of extreme overwhelm.
- Root Cause: A therapist can work with you to help discover the root cause of your extreme anxiety and overwhelm. Once you can identify what triggers your reactions, your therapist will be able to suggest techniques to work through these obstacles.
- Coping Mechanisms: Coping mechanisms are actionable practices that help you refocus during an episode. It can be taking a 5-minute break, meditating, journaling, or going for a walk. A therapist will give you several options that work best for your personal needs. Taking time to clear your head will make it easier to work through difficulties.
- Support: Seeking out therapy for help may be your first step in seeking out support. Being open with friends and family about your struggles is also important. Going to therapy with your partner can help them to better understand your needs. No one can reach out and help if they aren’t aware that anything is wrong.
- Learning How to Say “No”: We are all guilty of saying “Yes” to too many things, even things that might not be in our best interest. It is natural to want to support and please others, but we cannot do it to the detriment of ourselves. Saying no takes time and practice, and it does not make you selfish. Start small and make choices that best serve you.
Learning to Thrive
Adopting these methods can turn merely surviving into thriving. You will find more peace and joy in your life, and finally be able to look forward instead of being stuck treading water. If you’re ready to break the cycle and start thriving, Renewed Wellness Consulting can provide the support you are looking for to be your best self.
