Jodechi's blog
Healing by reducing stress
Friday 15th of January 2010
I have tried to design my life to have as little stress as possible. I have seen how stress leads to illness and disease. Stress kills if left untreated, unresolved for any length of time. If I am feeling stressed about something I ask myself "Is there anything I can do about this?" If there is, then I do it. In many cases there is something that can be done. It might be something that makes us uncomfortable- like a conversation that needs to happen that we've been avoiding which has built up stress. But once that conversation takes place- it can immediately release stress.
Last week we were tested to our stress limits. Our power was off for almost 48 hours and we couldn't leave because we were under two feet of snow and the council doesn't clear snow around here. That really tested us. Being cold without any way to warm yourself can really do something to a person. Thank goodness I had Eliot here to go through the experience with. We would go outside to shovel the snow because it actually warmed us up. I'd like to say that the community really pulled together around here to help each other- but that didn't happen.
When the power went off we thought it would only be a few hours but when it went into the evening, the night and then the next day- it was awful. But the constant question was always- what can we do to change this situation? Eliot put the BBQ together to cook some food. I tried to make the house as comfortable as possible. We just did what we could. We went to a friends across the valley for lunch, warmth and comfort. We were hugely relieved when the power came back on but since then, no landline and BT can't get here anytime soon- over a week now. So, stress. Can I do anything about it- no. They'll get here when they get here- I've had to let that go.
So, when feeling stressed, ask yourself if there is anything you can do to change this situation. If there is then do it. If there is absolutely nothing you can do then you need to let it go- it's out of your hands. It's not as simple as that but the message is stress kills- do what you can to alleviate stress.
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