Shannon Martin 0:00

Hello , beautiful , welcome to today's conversation where we're going to talk about finding your inner calm . Let's talk about it . I'm your host , Shannon Martin , and welcome to today's episode of this Thing Called Wellness . On last week's episode , we talked about emotional exhaustion and taking time to put your pieces back together to create a better version of yourself . The same applies to finding your inner calm . Our lives are so fast paced that finding moments of silence is challenging . When someone finds inner peace , they have achieved a sense of mental and emotional balance in the midst of their chaos . It's about recognizing and managing your emotions , reducing anxiety and stress and bringing about a sense of well-being .

Shannon Martin 0:51

How did I know I desperately needed to find calm ? It was when my children dubbed me Evelline from "The Wiz . I had no idea I was being snappy and mean-spirited just plain mean Until my husband told me you need to talk to somebody your doctors or therapists , someone I'm not sure if it's your medications or what , because you're just plain angry . This stopped me in my tracks . I couldn't believe that I was so out of sorts that it was showing and that I was acting this way towards my family . This set me on another path to finding inner peace . You can't calm the storm , so stop trying . What you can do is calm yourself . The storm will pass Timber Hawkeye .

Shannon Martin 1:39

The first thing I did was ask myself why was I so angry ? As I started digging , the answers became very clear . My high stress and burnout , which had now turned into anxiety and depression , were at the forefront . I hadn't fully resolved my emotional distress . My negative thinking and external pressures were weighing heavily on me . I wasn't eating healthy or partaking in healthy activities Because I had been dormant for so many years . It took its toll on my body . The aches and pains were sometimes unbearable and when you put all of these factors into the big old pot and stir it around , you get anger . I was angry at everything and everyone all the time , for no reason . I had to pause and figure out what I needed to do and I would realistically incorporate into my life . That would slowly get me back to a more calm , bearable me .

Shannon Martin 2:38

First I talked to my doctor and she prescribed me a mood stabilizer . It helped take the chip off when I was feeling moody . I was told by my therapist yes , all of them that I needed a space that was outside my room where I could read , meditate , pray or whatever I needed to do to keep me from harboring inside my room and living on my side of the bed . So I created a little look in the basement that's just for me . It's bright and sunny and I can hang out there if I want and just breathe In my little nook , I practice mindfulness , breathing or grounding techniques where I focus on what I hear around me , acknowledge the sounds , take deep breaths and just sit , relax and focus on the quiet for five to ten minutes at a time .

Shannon Martin 3:29

I often do this at various times throughout the day , whenever my thoughts get away from me . In the midst of the movement and chaos . Keep stillness inside you . Deepak Chopra . I know I've said this before , but I love walking . My 30 minutes of fresh air , communing with nature and getting movement in while trying to close my Apple plus Circles or getting my steps in , really makes my day and makes me feel accomplished Afterwards . Whenever I'm feeling less accomplished , I practice self-compassion , which we talked about before . This is where we treat ourselves with kindness and speak nurturing words to ourselves every day . By doing this , we encourage a gentler attitude towards ourselves .

Shannon Martin 4:18

One thing I'm tussling with is disconnecting from technology . We have all heard about the benefits of unplugging and reconnecting . Unplugging reduces stress from all the streams of information and notifications we receive from our digital devices . By unplugging , we are reducing our fear of missing out and helping us recharge and reconnect with those around us , not to mention the blue light interfering with our sleep . The blue light reduces melatonin , which is needed to regulate our sleep . I've finally set all my devices to low light mode at night and it's helping . The hard part is getting off my devices a couple hours before bed and putting them away so that I'm not tempted to get back on them when I'm having trouble sleeping . When I actually accomplish this , my sleep is so peaceful . I have to remind myself that this is what you're working towards a peaceful night's sleep . I'll always continue to work on totally unplugging and setting screen time limits , which is both annoying and yet helpful , but I do my best to abide by my intended goals .

Shannon Martin 5:23

Mindful moment Finding your inner peace or inner calm is a lifelong journey for us all , and it's one that's worth every step . The first step is to recognize that your emotions need addressing . It's time to adopt healthy coping strategies that work for you . After being called Evillene , I had to find and try new techniques to usher in inner calm by creating a quiet nook , taking walks in nature , practicing deep breathing and grounding , nurturing myself with self-compassion , trying to disconnect and meditate in my sacred space or wherever I am at the time I need my calm . I have helped myself cope and build a bridge from suffering to managing my mental health . Remember , the path of calm is never ending , but it's needed to navigate life's ups and downs , giving us a greater sense of clarity and resilience . Let's embrace the present moments , find what works for you and find the calm within .

Shannon Martin 6:29

I hope you have enjoyed this week's conversation . I am your host , Shannon Martin . Join us next Wednesday when we talk about sleep and mental health . If you enjoyed today's episode , feel free to continue the conversation on my social media pages at Shannondwellness . Disclaimer I am not a licensed mental health professional . The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional mental health advice , diagnosis or treatment . If you need help , please consult a qualified mental health professional .