Exactly how is someone telling us not to stress out supposed to help? Is there a switch somewhere that we don’t know about? We are staring in the face of some really frightening stuff here: loss of independence, identity, jobs, health, freedoms, hopes, dreams. The future is uncertain at best. But don’t stress? And don’t they think we know that we are stressed? The fact that others tell us not to stress implies that we are too stupid to know we are stressed and too stupid to know stress makes disease worse. Kick us when we’re down!
My own doctor said these very words to me. The short list of what was going on at the time was kidney biopsy, going on chemo, no job, no insurance, eviction notice on door, no hope of working and a nasty divorce going on. Don’t stress? Yeah, right! I clenched my teeth and sat on my hands, trying not to bite his head clean off or throttle him on the spot. Of course we don’t enjoy the stressful state. But it would be really nice if just one of these healthy folks who tell us not to stress would tell us HOW!
Here is one way. Set aside 20 minutes where you can be alone and uninterrupted. Wear comfortable clothing. Think about a word or phrase that brings a smile to your face. Words like peace, serenity, joy, tranquility, or whatever you like. Or pick a phrase from your own spiritual tradition. Sit quietly. Close your eyes. Notice the sensations of breathing-the cool air entering your nostrils, your lungs filling and emptying, notice everything. With each breath, think the word or phrase you have chosen. Let go of everything else. Other thoughts will come into your mind. Just notice them and think, “Ooo there goes a thought.” Let it go and return to breathing and your word or phrase. At the end of 20 minutes or so, open your eyes and slowly begin to move your body a little. You will be amazed at how calm, refreshed, and unstressed you feel!
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