Chaos comes in many forms. It may be uncertainty in the world around you, with headlines filled with unsettling news. It could be closer to home, involving relationships, work, or health changes. Sometimes, chaos isn't an external event but an inner sense of being pulled in too many directions, struggling to find solid ground. You're not alone in these feelings.

When everything feels uncertain or demanding, feeling reactive or out of sync is normal. But maintaining your wellness during chaotic times is not just possible; it's essential. Wellness doesn't mean erasing the chaos around you but rather finding ways to remain steady amidst it.

The Psychology of Chaos

Chaos triggers the brain's stress response, particularly activating the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for fight or flight. If left unchecked, chronic stress can wear on both your mental and physical health, affecting sleep, immunity, and emotional regulation. This is why creating islands of calm wherever you can is vital.

At the same time, chaos can challenge our belief systems. Philosophers like Epictetus remind us that while we may not control external events, we do have agency over how we respond to them. This blend of psychology and philosophy forms the foundation for building resilience during uncertain times.

Finding Calm Amidst the Storm

Here are some strategies to help you anchor yourself when life feels unstable.

1. Establish a Routine to Create stability

Even when the world seems unpredictable, having a routine offers a sense of control. Start small with a morning ritual like mindful breathing or a calming drink. This doesn't have to be lengthy or complex; even ten minutes of consistency can set a grounded tone for the day.

Why it works: Routines provide stability for the brain, reduce decision-making fatigue, and create a predictable structure amidst unpredictability.

2. Prioritise Connection

When chaos feels isolating, reaching out to others can be profoundly grounding. This might be catching up with friends, joining a community, or spending uninterrupted time with loved ones. Conversations that centre on shared values or simply listening and being heard can be deeply nourishing.

Why it works: Humans are social beings, and connecting with others helps regulate emotions, releasing neurotransmitters like oxytocin that combat stress.

3. Focus on What Is Within Your Control

While you can't control everything around you, there are always things within your reach. Even if the news feels unsettling, can you decide what you eat today? Can you focus on how you speak to yourself, even if work feels challenging?

Why it works: Shifting focus to actions and decisions within your power helps strengthen a sense of agency, reducing feelings of helplessness.

4. Make Space for Reflection

Chaos often pushes us to constantly react, but stepping back can create clarity. Carve out quiet time to reflect through journaling, meditative practices, or simply taking slow, mindful breaths. Ask yourself questions like, "What do I need today?" or, "What truly matters in this moment?"

Why it works: Reflection invites the parasympathetic nervous system to calm the body and mind, reducing the intensity of the stress response.

5. Honour Your Physical Wellness

Your body often feels the effects of stress long before your mind catches up. Gentle movement, nourishing foods, and restorative sleep are foundational tools to help balance the physical toll of chaos. Consider activities like Pilates or stretching to release tension and restore physical equilibrium.

Why it works: Physical wellness directly influences emotional state, creating a feedback loop that can improve overall wellbeing.

Observing Chaos Without Overidentifying

It's natural to feel swept up in the chaos around or within you. However, there's a transformational element to pausing and observing chaos as an experience rather than something you are entirely defined by. This perspective is key to stepping outside the torrent and saying, "This is part of my experience, but it isn't all-encompassing."

This approach is inspired by philosophical ideas of detachment, where stillness arises when we see situations without attaching ourselves to their emotional weight. It's not about ignoring difficulties but about holding space for both discomfort and hope.

A Gentle Challenge for the Week

This week, I encourage you to anchor yourself with one or all of these simple actions.

• Set One Grounding Ritual: Whether it's making a hot drink mindfully or writing down three things you're grateful for, choose one element of stability to repeat each day.
• Create a Connection: Reach out to a friend or family member you haven't spoken to in a while. Share your thoughts, or listen to theirs.
• Focus on Nourishment: Take one small step to care for your physical wellness, such as preparing a colourful plate of food or taking a walk.

Every action you take to support your wellness, no matter how small it feels in the moment, has the potential to create ripples of positive change that can help steady you through turbulence. 

Remember, chaos doesn't have to overwhelm you. It's not about eliminating every challenge but finding the tools and practices that keep you steady amidst it.

Wishing you calm and clarity this week and cheering you on to wellness success
 

P.S. I'm excited to invite you to an Introduction to EFT Workshop (Emotional Freedom Technique) on Sunday, 1st June, from 2pm-4pm at the Wellness Studio. This session is designed to teach you how to use EFT to release stress and anxiety, calm your nervous system, and regain emotional balance. Places are limited, and the workshop is expected to sell out quickly, so make sure you don't miss out. If you'd like to be the first to know when registration opens, Send me a DM  with the word 'WORKSHOP.' This is your chance to learn a tool that could transform how you manage life's challenges.