Reduce the Overwhelm by Making Lists

How do you reduce the Overwhelm?  
-Daily Habits : You could pray, meditate, journal, do yoga, or any other kind of activity the centers and grounds you.  To increase calmness, you have to slow down intentionally. 

Another way to reduce overwhelm is to organize the stressors.  We talked about this in episode 5 (Circus of Thoughts episode).  You need to classify, organize, and name your priorities.  

One of the greatest tools for me is making lists!  I have lists upon lists for just about everything.  I get so much satisfaction striking through a completed task or using a simple check mark.  It’s like a dopamine hit to the brain.  It gives me momentum and a sense of peace too.  Now, I don’t just use lists for tasks or actions I need to complete.  I also use lists to categorize and organize specific bits of information.  I would like you to think about making a list of your child’s doctors and specialists with contact information.  I have a spreadsheet looking list that has all of the contact information for specialists, pediatrician, pharmacy, durable medical providers, nursing agencies, specific hospitals and departments. 

I’m telling you there is power and a sense of peace when you have this information categorized in a simple document.   Having and making these lists is going to help you in the future.  Lists are kind of like packing an extra pair of clothes for your potty-trained child.  You might not need it, but it gives you some sense of peace and security knowing it is there.  

 I have a traveling medical binder.  It’s more like a small accordion file with pockets on the front where I keep pens and post-it notes.  I keep current after visit summaries, doctors/specialist recommendations.  Everything is current about medical plans and protocols.  I also keep updated Child Resumes to hand out at visits.  (Check out episode 4 on how to create a Child Resume).  I like to keep a list with all of the answers to usual questions of these medical forms.  This not only saves time filling out documents.  But in most cases I write- "see attached list".  So, I am able to focus on the needs of my child.  

If you live a bit of a distance from your local children’s hospital, you will understand you develop a routine of bathrooming, eating, and all of that when you go to visits.  I don’t have to worry about remembering when he went to what visit, when this happened, what all of the current medications are with dosages.  I can actually focus on the task at hand.  This can help with in home visits from your local early intervention case manager, nursing companies, and many other interactions that you may need that information.  The medical field is getting better at cataloging and sharing medical information between your child’s medical team.  But, if you go to different hospitals, there is still a delay in access to information. 

Lists reduce your mental load.  They give you a visual that instills peace and calmness.  Lists help you get focused and make better decisions.  Remember there are many kinds of lists.  There are informational lists, to do lists, step by step lists, or inventory lists.  Basically, the lists go on and on.  

Take the time today to make 1 list.  What is one of your categories that would bring some peace just by making a list?  It doesn’t have to be fancy.  You can hand write one, put it in your phone, or type it up digitally.  Whatever works for you! Do it and reduce your overwhelm and bring a bit more peace to your life. 

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