A Few Suggestions For Relieving Stress
Posted: Tuesday, July 17, 2007
by David Tanguay
Genesis 2:1-3 “Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day, God ended His work, which He had done, and HE RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY from all His work, which He had done. Then God BLESSED the seventh day and SANCTIFIED it, because in it He RESTED from all His work which God had created and made."
Many of us find several different ways of relieving stress, which is becoming more increasingly a part of our everyday lives in society. A great deal of stress we encounter in our lives is work related. I personally have two major techniques for dealing with stress: One is walking freely what I mean by walking freely is openly in the country or some kind of rural setting where the mind isn’t distracted by city traffic or all of the everyday commotions of city life. Don’t get me wrong walking in the city can be very rewarding as a form of physical therapy. However to relax and clear the mind also to let your mind soar freely through all the obstacles in your life I find a comfort in looking at my problems from a third party perspective when I relate to the world. Just as if, some spiritual being was looking down at me and presiding over my life. A great deal of inspiration can derive from this type of solitude.
Another way is driving my car also in the country. Now of course driving an automobile is a bigresponsibility and this form of therapy does not include letting your mind wonder off from the dangers, which may come at you from nowhere while driving a vehicle. This is where I view the scenery and pay close attention to my surroundings perhaps avoiding hitting a rabbit or looking at a for sale sign and stopping to inquire about the item up for sale. This is where your mind is constantly active on the simple things in life, an escape from the world, which confronts our everyday life.
As I stated we all may have our own ways of relieving stress and I certainly do not profess to be a qualified therapist or an expert on the issue only giving my own version on how I find my way of dealing with the tensions in our everyday life in society.
Of course some of us are trapped in big cities, have families to support, and simply do not find the time to get away from it all. I’m not very familiar with N.Y.C. however; I’ve heard some can find some privacy in Central Park.
Central Park in N.Y.C.
In general, we all differ from how we relate to stress some can find a release by being active and around people. Even enduring a great deal of physical exertion and not even leaving their surroundings within four walls they can find concentrating and keeping the mind active not allowing it to wonder is another form of escapism and keeping a sound and realistic view of the material world.
Just an escape from the ordinary I believe is another way of dealing with stress that we acquired from a monotonous everyday same old routine way of doing things. Alternatively, even if you’re personal life and occupation is exciting and fulfilling one simply must break away from the repetitive cycle from time to time. Another factor I believe is a source of a great deal of stress in our lives is the condition of our world in general. Most of us unconsciously are affected by the troubles occurring on our small planet, such as wars or tragedies coming to us from the media, which spontaneously hit us like a jolt to our hearts. Psychology cannot always explain the condition or sensitivity of our hearts.
“Let the lover be disgraceful, crazy, absent-minded. Someone sober will worry about events going badly. Let the lover be." Rumi
“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers." M. Scott Peck
A very good article and also a very good reminder, David, to just STOP. I, too, like taking long walks and feel the wind or sun against my face and, yes, even like walking in the rain. It's funny that you wrote this article because just today, while working, I had heard on Talk Radio that stress in now related to the killing of brain cells. Wishing you a 'stress free' relaxing evening!Please log in to respond to this comment.I'm not sure I understand the part about "the killing of brain cells" however I have very little faith in these scientist who try to define the mind. I leave the functions of the mind to the only one qualified for such a task. "The creator himself" Oh thank you wishing me a stress free evening, these days, my evenings or even days are a lot more relaxing than they used to be in my younger days. Some say it's maturity that deserves the credit, however I personally believe it's a better world today than it used to be. take care JudiPlease log in to respond to this comment.
hi david, good, thoughtfilled article, and i love the pictures, and their placement, makes the piece really different. peace is one of those things that just happens to be alluding me these days, but i'll get it back. i still sit on my swing, and listen to my waterfall, and look at the birds taking their baths, and at night, the stars. this too, shall pass. best regards, sue thomPlease log in to respond to this comment."i still sit on my swing, and listen to my waterfall, and look at the birds taking their baths, and at night, the stars. this too, shall pass." Susan why let these thing pass? that sounds like a very good way of relaxing. I know you may have personal problems but try to find some escape through little things you just mentioned........take car of yourselfPlease log in to respond to this comment.
again, how can one prove that there is a "God"????Please log in to respond to this comment.I don't believe anyone can actually prove there is a God. I personally don't believe in the way the Bible explains his existence. However I do believe in a higher power, I don't leave science out completely. the sun in the sky could be God. Whatever, I do believe in a loving GodPlease log in to respond to this comment.
