It’s a daily exercise where we ask ourselves deep questions. Waters adds:
“Questions like: What is my connection to our world? How can I serve? Who am I, beyond the labels I've given myself? When we stop at asking ourselves the self-ish questions—"What do I want to be when I grow up and how much money can I make?"—we condition ourselves to identify with things and attachments that are fleeting. The questions need to shift to How can I be rather than What can I be. We ask the questions and then consciously create a space and stillness for those answers to arise. This kind of mindful self-exploration is a way to very much tune into what we authentically want for ourselves, our families, and our resource of time. The process of understanding ourselves on a deeper level is actually about the honoring of our lives and our connections. Clearing the clutter and making more space for what's real and meaningful."
7. Keep a journal or write poetry.
There is something to be said for emotional writing. It’s cathartic. It’s a way to make sense of a world beyond our control. Reader’s Digest has a great article on the topic. Writing poetry might also release bottled-up emotion. It worked for me the other day when I wrote this poem, The Blues.
8. Take up yoga.
According to the Mayo Clinic:
“Yoga's series of postures—some with names from nature—and controlled breathing exercises are a popular means of stress management and relaxation. Today, yoga classes teaching the art of breathing, meditation and posing are offered nearly everywhere—from trendy health clubs in big cities to community education classes in small towns to hospitals and clinics.”
9. Spirituality
In the article Spirituality and stress relief: Make the connection, the Mayo Clinic reported that spirituality has many benefits for stress relief and it can help you feel a sense of purpose, connect to the world, release control, expand your support network, and lead a healthier life.
10. Exercise.
Exercise also has some direct stress-busting benefits; it pumps up your endorphins, it’s meditation in motion, and it improves your mood.
Article comments
1 - cher
My Dear Lu,
Of course you brought me to tears as I read this. They were tears of gratitude that so ever quickly I had found a friend, someone in whom I believe with all my heart. And there were tears shed for you having to deal with wretched circumstances that you do not deserve.
During my time "in the wilderness," alone and feeling forsaken, the one thing I clung to was my faith in God. Oh, you can be sure that there were times when I railed at Him in anger. And though I am not dogmatic, somehow shreds of faith had remained. One night, a Christmas night to be exact, I found myself on my knees praying---no, talking to God. I thought it was a one-sided conversation, but somehow it gave me a chance to purge all those feelings...to someone. Believe it or not, two weeks later the answers I had sought arrived.
Now, I am not saying God is on a time-line! But He did answer. I know this beyond all rational or speculative thinking. I just know because I know. And I also believe that certain people are placed in our lives for a reason.
Your friendship is a gift to me, one to be cherished and nurtured. I will not let go of this tether, and I will storm the heavens for you when you do not have the strength.
Keep writing, my dear friend. Write your socks off! Soon the world will discover the unique talents you possess. And maybe think about that conversation. The answers will arrive when you least expect them, and together we will celebrate, even as I celebrate you now.
Lovingly,
Cher
2 - Rosie Gern
This is a beautiful piece. You have some very sensible pointers here which most of us overlook. During these hard times it would do well indeed for us to find some effective ways to cope and keep our sanity. There is always hope, and a choice. We only have to look for it
I like the way you melded an Edgar Allan Poe story into this article. It makes it unique. Very clever.
3 - Joren van Dijk - environmental psychologist
Removing stuff from your environment might also work; easy to perceive environments create a positive affect (processing fluency theory, see, for instance, Reber, Schwarz & Winkielman).