Feeling Blue...

It can happen after a momentous event. A wedding, big trip, test, or some major focus. Something, we've been planning and anticipating for a long time, that has consumed our thoughts and actions. The date arrives, it's big, it's exciting and then BOOM... The let-down!! The, "oh, it's over" moment which can be followed by feeling physically un-well, possibly depressed or just feeling out of touch, in some way. It happened to me, following our, "covid sabbatical". I wasn't feeling like myself and kept telling Van that I felt lost. When I shared my feelings with my most trusted girlies I was surprised to find that many of them (or even their husbands) were feeling the same way.

This psychological-physical phenomenon is called the, "Let-Down Effect or Let-Down Syndrome". In this instance, I believe it's related to either all the things we had planned to get accomplished while we had our time in OR that the time in gave us the opportunity to re-evaluate our lives, ourselves and how we wanted to be re-introduced at the post-covid, re-opening. And because of all the false starts, maybe's and questionable dates we didn't really have a set timeframe in which to do our, "To Do's". Suddenly, the windows and doors of our homes have been thrust open and instead of doing a jig and singing from the rooftops we see that not everything was accomplished, life has started full speed ahead and, oh my gosh, it's exactly like it was!!!

Well, here's what is recommended to help your system get back on track.

• Slow down your stress by participating in short bursts of exercise

• Keep your immune system strong by eating fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts and legumes

• Drink plenty of water

• Chamomile tea is soothing

• Timed mathematical problems boost your immune system (soku, crosswords...)

• Limit your alcohol

• Get in nature (garden, sit... it's all good)

• Meditate, deep breathe or relax in some way

• Journal or even make a vision board to help you see where you're headed

• And, do something creative that you enjoy

I hope this is helpful. And, in my Mom's words remember, "this too shall pass".
xo Kathryn
A Happy Balance