The word is DISENGAGE
Definition: Merriam-Webster Dictionary: to release from something that engages or involves. To release or detach oneself
I pride myself on keeping up with the news, history, the people in my world, and the daily demands of my life. But when it comes to going on a vacation, I take even more pride in my ability to disengage from it all.
Posted 1/23/23
My Story on Disengage
Due to the generosity and kindness of some friends, I was able to take a much-welcome vacation. After two flights, a forty-five-minute bus trip, and a 20-minute ferry ride, I arrived on a Caribbean Island in the US Virgin Islands. Laughingly, as we stepped onto the dock, greeted by Caribbean music, smiling hosts, and rum punch, I thought “Welcome to The White Lotus.” The drama of that Netflix series was nowhere to be seen during my stay, but the feeling of calmness and beauty afforded by this resort certainly was.
Gone from my mind were the timelines, guidelines, and headlines of daily life. Sure they would all be there when I returned home. But for now, I was officially off the grid and bathing in the organic way each day unfolded. Wind in my hair, sand beneath my toes, sun on my face. A Caribbean Island, where the biggest challenges of the day were deciding which beach to plant ourselves on and where to seek nourishment. A pretty great escape, right?
Right, but this is where I'm going to switch gears and let day-to-day life kick back in. Most people, myself included, rarely have the opportunity of escaping to a Caribbean Island when life gets challenging or stressful. But we do have the ability to disengage from daily stress by exercising that wonderful organ in our heads called our brain by escaping in our thoughts and our focus. And it only takes a few minutes for our body to respond. There's a whole physiology that goes along with this practice, but suffice it to say, that your body can relax you when you mindfully disengage from the stress. Disengaging is a learned behavior, one we can all embrace.
Here's an example of what I mean. I bore witness to the tension on one of my co-worker's faces during an unusually stressful day. Her eyes were welling up with tears and I could sense that panic was about to set in. No actual island could take her stress away at this moment. But, alternatively, she could disengage by mindfully guiding her body away from the stress and to somewhere calm and safe.
Disengaging for a few moments means reprogramming your mind to engage in whatever works for you. Some find it helpful to take deep cleansing breaths, while others may take a short walk. Some seek comfort in meditating, calling a friend, or listening to music. Perhaps a memory, of a happy time allows you to disengage from the stress and bring you somewhere else, if only for a few moments. Whatever you choose, the calming and healing effect is within your mind's eye, anywhere and anytime.
Maybe you find yourself re-living a moment on a beach, wind in your hair, sand beneath your toes, and sun on your face. That’s where I go, if only for a moment and without having to take two flights, a forty-five-minute bus trip, and a 20-minute ferry ride. Mind over matter is the power to draw strength from our minds no matter where we are and to then go about our day more refreshed, clear-headed and engaged.
If you find yourself stressing out with no idea how to disengage from it, you may want to talk to a Life Coach. I hope you reach out to me. Together we will discover the shift in mindset that works best for you.
To help get you started, I offer a free one-hour consultation.
Please e-mail me at innervoicelifecoach08@gmail.com to schedule an appointment. Thank you for reading my blog. I hope it has inspired and motivated you to take action to help ease your own daily stress.