Parenting five children generates countless micro-decisions that clutter mental bandwidth. Adopting Mel Robbins' 5 Second Rule allows consideration for only five seconds before committing to action. The rule involves counting down from five and acting when the countdown hits zero, which prevents prolonged rumination and missed opportunities. A practical example is choosing between a quick gym visit or picking up children early; the five-second limit forces a timely decision. A licensed social worker links stress to accumulating open loops in the mind, which the five-second approach helps reduce by closing decisions quickly. The method works best when two options are both acceptable.
You know that dopamine hit when your desk or kitchen counter is cleared off? That's what the five-second rule is all about. The concept is about counting down from five, and giving yourself just that much time to think, ruminate, decide, or wonder about the outcome. When you hit zero, you have to act. For example, I recently asked myself: Should I go to the gym or pick up the kids a few minutes early?
I could easily spend 20 minutes debating it, during which I'd miss my chance to grab my workout clothes and make it happen. With just five seconds to consider, I make a decision. Christina Granahan, a licensed social worker and therapist, told me, "Often, people think that something outside of them is causing the stress or suffering, but more often than not, it's the open loop that is stressful and accumulating in their mind, draining their physical and mental energy."
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