Written by: Ilaria Storch, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Some years ago, I was seriously considering building a "decompression station" in our apartment, so that I could arrive home, inconspicuously, with nobody noticing, not even husband and kids, and have a little time to catch my breath and transition from outside mode to home mode and then joyfully jump into playing with the children, or talking to teens, feeding the pets, and eating something.
Decompression in defined as the process of restoring data to its original form – if you change the word “data” by “you” it will totally make sense, by having you collect yourself before you face a new situation.
Like divers and dive teams, that really use a decompression station to facilitate their resurfacing from deep waters, and protecting their health and breath, you can apply the concept to your routines and challenges.
Having a free mental space for you to prep your mind and body for each new task or moment in front of you can work as your decompression station. The benefits of taking some time off to empty your mind from work assignments, or errands you have been doing in the world, before you do personal activities, is that you will feel more grounded to take what is next ‒ and have less chance of snapping when you are just too tired to deal with being received by charged emotions, when yours are under the surface too. I remember that one time my husband forgot to feed our small kids ‒ that happened once and it was quite funny afterwards – he did a great job entertaining them for an afternoon for me to have some down time, yet the minute they saw me, with little tears beginning to run down their cute faces, I heard: "mommy I am hungry..."
Ways in which you can create a decompression ritual:
1. Interesting thing is, a lot of changes and also very little. A lot in the sense that many of us are now at home office, or hybrid, and, in my case, the kids are grown, and it is wonderful when they come home for talks and meals, everybody helping. Yet nowadays, I feel that the decompression idea is more needed and helpful than ever. There are many situations that you may not even know you need to implement a decompression ritual ‒ yes you can substitute the station for a ritual, or a personal new habit, because not always you will have the space, or the desire, to build a station – like a room or a corner. I highly recommend, though, that you find a physical space in your home that is only yours – it can even be a chair and a bookshelf with an “off limits” sign.
2. If you are a digital nomad, solo, or as a parent, you may start noticing that some ting you used to enjoy are not resonating with you anymore. Notice how you feel in the place you are now, have you already covered all you could and learned the routes, the routines by heart? When you don´t even notice the transitions from outside, to inside, it all clicks and goes, that is fantastic, you have mastered the space around you. On one hand you can feel happy and fulfilled, on the other, have you given yourself time to actually notice how you feel when you transition from work, (or home-office) to home and task chores? How you are greeted? And how do you treat people when you see them, again and again? If it feels like you are going through the motions, it is time for you to create a decompression ritual and do some digging on how to address this situation and build a change plan.
3. In case you have young kids at home, and teenagers and pets, you may need something handy and easier to chill ‒ like stopping for a snack, on your own, before you hop into home mode, or even drive a little more with a soothing sound, a smoothie, or just silence, listening to your thoughts. ‒ I find that when one is hungry and must prepare meals, stress doubles. It seems that the minute you put your step on the hallway you can hear "oh, can you, I forgot, please... “and I am saying this from a place of love (and sometimes tears and exasperation right lol) ‒ so that your mind and body can be in service of you doing things you desire with less drama and resistance.
4. I tell you; it takes a lifetime to fine tune this. Of course, in cases of emergency you just have to barge in and take action ‒ forget decompressing. And, in high charged work-related meetings where huge decisions and jobs and mergers and finances are at steak ‒ you must build your fast muscles and stay alert. In both these cases the decompression will take place after the events, the rituals will need to be a bit stronger, like exercise, a dinner out, a longer coaching session, a weekend off.
5. Most of all, be aware that it is possible to create a decompression state, ritual, or habit ‒ and even a room, if you are up to it. Some mini decompressors:
Breathing before going in or out the house/office
Stopping for a juice or cocoa
Talking to an upbeat friend
Calling family saying you are on your way and need 15 minutes of solo time
Calling your staff or team and saying you need 15 minutes of thinking time
Hop in the tub
Ask or hire help
Bring home a healthy dessert or foodie that builds a smooth entry home
Some days are just going to be those days, so take it in, all is life and pauses are needed. And on other days, or nights, you may just burst in, drop the bags and groceries, and just hug and jump with everyone else – feel your rhythm.
I help you connect, thrive, and find more energy wherever you are!
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Life is nomadic by essence!
Ilaria Storch, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Ilaria Storch, a Life Coach Nomad, is the creator of Life Coach Nomads, where she shares her passion for travel and for inspiring people everywhere to access their true center and find more connection and energy on the way to more joy, fun, and fulfillment. She practices that following your emotions, wrapped up in a personal structure that can connect your goals, desires, and love, is the path to all real and true growth. Wherever you are, change is nomadic by essence, and it takes time, support and starts inside you when you absolutely desire to develop yourself and move on. She has a Bachelor´s Degree in Advertising, speaks many languages, won a Fashion Illustration Award during College, and loves coaching her clients towards their expressive life journey.
