Life can get pretty chaotic at times, especially when you or someone you love is going through health problems or facing the end of life. Many times in these positions, we make snap decisions or decisions based out of fear or convenience, rather than really taking the time to make choices from a place of calm and intention.

When we become centered and serene, we are empowered to make decisions that serve us and our loved ones, both in that moment and for a long time into the future.

Mindful Decision-Making

Life's storms can cloud our ability to think clearly and rationally, leaving us more susceptible than ever before to stress, anxiety, and overwhelming emotions. Mindful decision-making involves pausing to remain present while approaching choices with clarity and intentionality. This enables us to make well-informed choices that align with our values, priorities, and long-term goals.

Ways To Find Calm In The Storm:

• Just Breathe. Taking a few deep breaths or practicing a few minutes of “triangle breathing” (where you inhale to the count of 5, hold your breath to the count of 5, and then exhale to the count of 5) can lower your heart rate, which starts to take you out of the natural “fight or flight” state you tend to fall into when faced with stress. Set a timer on your phone, or simply choose to sit and breathe until you start to feel better.

• Future Self. We tend to be great at giving advice to other people, so we obviously have wisdom and experience within ourselves. The problem is, we don’t usually take our good advice for ourselves. If you are having a hard time making a decision, ask your “Future Self” what they would have done in that scenario. Then quietly wait, and hear what your own advice would be.

• True Will. Many people simply drift through life, making choices in a reactionary way rather than in an intentional way. Take some time to become more focused on your true desires and intentions. How do you want to live, and, when facing the end of life, how do you actually desire to live your remaining time? Allow these desires to deeply influence your decisions.

• Be prepared. The best defense, they say, is a great offense. Think ahead of time about possible scenarios. Who will take care of you if you become ill? What would your “Plan B” look like if that person was also ill or otherwise unavailable? What should happen to your pets? What kind of food do you prefer to have prepared for you? Who will communicate with your loved ones? What kind of healthcare decisions would you want to be made on your behalf if you were unable to make your wishes known yourself? Consider writing a living will to communicate these decisions with your loved ones, and make sure that at least one other person knows where to find this document!

Mindfulness and inner peace can enable us to make decisions that truly honor our values, priorities, and the wellbeing of ourselves and loved ones during times of transition in our lives.

What do you do in times of trouble? Do you have any good strategies for maintaining calm in the storm? Share with us in the comments below!