Repetition frees the mind

A few years ago, one of our children was suffering from debilitating anxiety. He reached out to a mentor and received this simple advice, “Leave your work and go get a job washing dishes.” We like to joke at our house that we have the only family member in the history of job hunting that held out for a dish washing job. It turns out, this helped. Doing repetitive tasks is soothing and can provide relief from anxiety and depression. Take a few minutes to do something repetitive. Walk. Wash dishes. Fold clothes or rearrange a drawer. Go find a dishwasher and volunteer to load and unload it. Spread mulch. Cut the grass. Sweep your driveway. Whatever repetitive activity you practice, be fully present for the job. Concentrate on that task.