What a NASCAR Pit Crew Can Teach You About Emotional Health

Welcome back to our Tools To Thrive Series, where we’re equipping you with tools you need to thrive. Today, let’s take a look at how to press pause on high-speed living and make an “emotional pit stop.”

Check the Dash 

Whether taking the drivers license exam for the first time or a professional NASCAR driver, all good drivers know to check the dash. Almost on E? Tire pressure low? Issue with your engine? There’s a light for that. As humans, we have somewhat of a dashboard of our own. Let’s say that for the past few weeks, it’s taken you twice as long to fall asleep as normal. That could be signalling any number of things. But noticing it as a pattern (and a new one, at that) is a great start. 

Pop the Hood 

Once you’ve got your observation (in this case, your “trouble sleeping” light has come on), it’s time to do some digging. Sometimes, our dash lights are as obvious as the “low fuel” message; if your stomach hurts and you haven’t eaten all day, you don’t need to dig deep to discover you’re hungry and need some food.  But what about when the light on the dash isn’t so clear? Maybe the little mechanic’s wrench is glowing orange, but you don’t know why.  In this case, it’s time to pop the hood.

In terms of our mental and emotional health, one of the best ways to do that is by journaling. Start by thinking back to when you first observed a pattern of sleeplessness. This will help you “trace your steps” and pay close attention to anything you may not have noticed at the time. Has anything been different? New? Distressing or distracting? Exciting, even? Maybe it was a few weeks ago that new responsibilities at work have put you behind a screen more often. The increase in blue light could be the culprit, decreasing your body’s natural stores of melatonin! Or maybe you realize that, due to being halfway through the holiday season or coming off a vaction, your sugar intake has skyrocketed. That’s a pretty easy fix, too.  

However, it could be something more significant than an increase in screen time or sugar. Perhaps your mom’s health took a turn for the worse about a month ago, and the uncertainty that lies ahead has been keeping you up at night. Or maybe something more significant yet positive is at the root. Perhaps you recently decided to pursue that lifelong dream you’ve been putting off. Though this is a good thing, it could still be making it hard to power down your go-getter brain at night.  

Ready, Set… Now What? 

Once you discover the root cause, it’s time to decide what to do.  
If the increase in screen time seems to be the issue, you could buy a pair of blue light glasses or step away from the computer every hour or two. If sugar is the problem, you could set some limits, or get your fix through fruit. If it’s that big life dream keeping you awake, set aside some time each day to brainstorm, or keep a notepad by your bed for those ideas that strike right as you’re drifting off. 

Or if you discover that something a bit more daunting is stealing your shuteye… don’t despair. It might be time to set the journal aside and talk to a therapist or loved one. You don’t have to do this alone. After all—even the best race car drivers can’t get far without their trusty pit crews.

Luke Lewallen, Mental Health Counselor