by: Justin Hope
On a cold day, there’s nothing better than a nice warm shower… unless the water goes haywire. It can either trickle out so weak that you’re freezing, or blast you like a pressure washer.
In plumbing, water pressure needs to be just right to keep everything flowing safely and smoothly.
If there’s too much pressure, for too long, then pipes burst. Water goes everywhere. Repairs get expensive fast.
Turns out, our minds work the same way.
The Pressure Builds Quietly
Our minds are a lot like pipes, finding the right balance of pressure so we can achieve our goals and not crack under all the stress.
Now, many people are juggling many different things at once. There are people who work from home on important projects, cook, care for kids, run businesses, and worry if they are good parents.
All those stresses can build up on you and take a toll on your mental health.
You tell yourself you’re fine, that you can take on just one more thing, that you have to keep going. You can bottle up the stress, ignore the burnout, push through anxiety, and keep stacking on new expectations.
Our nervous system has limits. We can be emotionally strained.
But the question is, what do we do about it? In life, we will always have responsibilities, so how can we approach them the right way?
Bursting the Pipe
In response to being constantly in a high-pressure environment, we usually take one of a few approaches.
The first is to ignore the problem and continue as normal. (Not advised)
If this were a pipe, it would be like ignoring the water pressure or even increasing it. Whilst the pipes may still work for a bit longer, eventually you run the risk of them bursting.
And then you’ve created a massive mess in the bathroom that you need to clean up.
Similarly, when we bottle up our emotions, we can risk outbursts and burnout. This approach takes a massive toll on our mental health and can crush us. But there is another way.
Releasing the Pressure
Plumbers know you don’t fix a pressure problem by yelling at the pipe. You reduce the strain. You release some of the build-up. You add safety valves and expansion tanks so the system has room to flex.
Mental health is the same. You need to allow just for a bit, the ability to release some of this pressure to cope. Here are some good ways to do that;
– Setting boundaries and saying no to certain things if you have a full plate
– Speaking to someone before things get dire
– Making space for rest without guilt
Even just taking time to rest on Sunday can be a great way to recharge and take some time to rest.
I know the rest isn’t always easy, especially with kids or work that doesn’t stop. But even a few moments of calm matter can really help. Just taking some time to go for a walk or read a book can be some much-needed relief.
Pressure Is Normal But Needs to Be Regulated
A bit of pressure is good.
In a shower, if there is no pressure, then the water stops moving. In our own lives, a bit of pressure motivates us to achieve our goals and finish projects.
But when you have too much for too long, that’s when the pipes need some relief.
If you’re feeling stretched thin, don’t wait for the emotional blowout. Start releasing the pressure now, even in small ways.
Your plumbing system isn’t the only thing that needs relief valves. Your mind does too.
About the Author
Justin Hope runs the website Plumbers Rockhampton. Plumbers Rockhampton is dedicated to providing quality plumbing solutions to local problems in Queensland, Australia. They provide services for a variety of plumbing needs, ranging from renovations to commercial plumbing.
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