A couple years ago when I was working on lowering my stress levels to help treat my depression, I found a list of 12 ideas for reducing stress in your life in a medical book by the American Medical Association. Today I share one of those ideas: "Don't Blame: It keeps you from making constructive changes."
I recently applied this when I woke up crabby one morning from not getting enough sleep. I immediately blamed my husband who I had stayed up late with talking. Later that morning, I thought about how I shouldn't blame him, but instead focus on making a constructive change.
I came up with an idea that I put into use the next night: I wear earplugs to bed to help me sleep through the night (they block out snoring, house noises, dogs barking, cars, etc.); I decided that when I came to upstairs to get ready for bed, I would tell him goodnight and then put my earplugs in while I got ready for bed and read my scriptures.
It actually helped! He knew I couldn't hear him, so he didn't start any conversations with me, and it helped me to not start talking to him and to remember my bigger goal of getting enough sleep so I can be brain healthy.
Next time something goes wrong and you're tempted to blame, think instead about a change YOU can make to alter the situation for your benefit!
http://simplynoise.com/ is my new favorite website. it is a white noise sound that helps me sleep and get back to sleep and sleep soundly. it gives my brain something else to hear instead of the worries of the world. i love it!
ReplyDeleteI love white noise! You're right...if my brain doesn't have something else to focus on, I can think all night.
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