When Tension Mounts…
TAKE FIVE
We’ve all had those moments. You come out of a meeting with a list a mile long, and realize you have no time to even start the work. There’s a queasy feeling in your stomach, and your neck muscles are starting to tighten.
You land in the doctor’s office and find that you have a bunch of high numbers, weight, cholesterol, etc., that need to be modified now.
Your plane is late and your next connection to get home just may not happen.
Or, on the bright side, you have just received that long awaited promotion. The engagement that you considered a possibility has just become a shining reality and there are plans to be made! Or that special trip to Italy is here and you are taking off today.
Either way, good or bad, tension is taking over, flooding your mind and your body. If you let it the tension can take over your health, your peace of mind and your ability to function. It can pack on extra pounds as food becomes a stress release and it can rob you of a good night’s sleep or that crispness of memory that you need.
If your car were overheating you would pull off the road and let it cool off. But sometimes we forget to do the same when we overload and overheat.
SO PAUSE…and opt out for 5 minutes
Find a quiet spot, if necessary close your door and post a ‘do not disturb’ sign. Move to the quietest spot available if you are in a crowded public area. Or step outside, to the park, or a quiet walkway. Use whatever quiet space is available to take five minutes for yourself.
Then just breathe….
Sit down, close your eyes and slowly breathe in and out, again and again, as you let your mind float. Think of your faithful dog, your inimitable cat, sailing on Sunday, a song that you love, walks by the water, that lovely hibiscus near your door. And breathe, in and out, slowly but surely, relaxing.
Now, open your eyes…
After five minutes, or even ten if you have it, open your eyes, stretch a little and look around. It’s still you, and life is still out there. But things may look a little better, not quite so daunting. You can head back to your desk, or walk back into whatever you were dealing with and resume life. Your body will benefit from this brief release in tension. Later you will be less likely to reach for another pizza slice, lose sleep, or forget simple things.
Most of us are busy all day long, but if we really need it there are a few five minute pockets of time that could be used to erase tension and smooth out worries. They might even make the rest of the day a lot more productive.
Meanwhile, hang on to the technique, taking five minutes for yourself, to feel better and be better.
Sandy Schroeder for Third Age.
More Preventive Medicine articles.
Written by Editor.
Having worked in advertising agencies for some years, I know the feeling of a stressed-out body all too well. These days I still occasionally feel anxious, but by following techniques such as those in this article, I can calm down quite easily.
Another technique I use is to envision a beautiful, tranquil place – in my imagination it’s an alpine meadow in summer. There I am, sitting on the grass in the sun, surrounded by beautiful wildflowers and distant mountain peaks. Who could worry about anything in such a setting?
If I have trouble falling sleep, I let all my muscles relax, close my eyes and pretend I’m looking at a black screen. Then I take slow, deep breaths. If any thoughts arise, I don’t allow them to develop. I focus only on that black screen and my breathing. Next thing I know, I’m awaking from a long, deep sleep.
I do something similar, only I start off looking at a white screen. Then, starting in one corner, I gradually start to paint it black. It works every time. I’ve never finished colouring it in yet and I’ve been using this technique for many years!