I will start this post with a question, the same question my Mother would always asks me, “Will your worrying help anything?”
I believe that the answer to that question is no! It boils down to this–if we have the power to change anything, then we need to work towards a solution. Why complain and worry when we have the power?
But what if it is out of our control, then all the worry in the world won’t fix or resolve it!
Remember the first paragraph of the Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Think about the things that we worry about on a daily basis. In these difficult times, we worry about our finances, our children, our job security, the list goes on. We don’t consider that all the worry is adding stress that affects our health and quality of life. That is what all the doctors are telling us, and you hear about it on the news everyday, but we are still worrying about things we can’t change.
There are many studies and experts that tells us that worrying and the stress that comes with it, is keeping us ill both physically and mentally. I went to the Mayo Clinic website and found much information on keeping ourselves positive and healthy with suggestions on how to live a less stressful life. Most are common sense, many we already know, we just need to implement these suggestions into our everyday lives.
Depend on family and friends as a strong support system to get you through difficult times. Stress is a part of our everyday lives, it is how we deal with that stress that determines the outcome. Having a positive attitude plays a large roll in how we deal with life’s ups and downs. Take a walk with a good friend, enjoy the beauty around you. Take a yoga or pilates class; take up a new hobby that interests you; read a good book; laugh as you enjoy a funny movie; make a spiritual connection; learn to meditate; learn to forgive; become accepting of others; turn off the news; listen to quiet music; and know that a simple smile goes a long way for you as well as the one you offer it to.
I am not saying that it is easy, but we need to remember that life is short and there is so much to enjoy and be grateful for. We all have our crosses to bear and there will always be peaks and valleys–let’s learn how to navigate them. Visit the Mayo Clinic website for a wealth of information on dealing with stress in our lives.
“Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.” by Benjamin Franklin.
“Give your stress wings and let it fly away.” by Carin Hartness.
