“Find the ease in the intensity,” was the advice of world-class ice climber Mattie Sheafor. “I have found this to be essential for all parts of my life these days.” Find the ease and bask in it. Take advantage of it. Live in it while you can before the intensity comes back. We were talking about managing fear ice climbing, but it sure makes a lot of sense when you are juggling stress. It’s those little moments of exercise, a nice meal, a good book before bed, a snuggle with your baby that are like a rest point on a hard climb where your calves can stop screaming and the blood can run back into your fingers.

We only have short rests between the busy moments of our lives and you can either choose to let them slip by without giving them much thought, or can be super aware and get the most of the break. Climbing, I can be in a pretty good spot and sort of rest, or really focus on the rest and find the optimal foot hold, the best balance, and really breathe. If I get a good rest I can face the next challenge with a calm mind. If I don’t get a good rest, I start climbing again and within moments am back to exhausted, scared, shaking. So compare that to how you deal with family strife, ill health, work worries, kid problems…