The dictionary defines fear as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. Along with these thoughts go many physiological hormonal processes that can affect your health long – term.
If you’re having headaches, anxiety, digestive problems, and sleeplessness worrying about Covid – 19, the election, paying rent, bills, getting the kids back in school, getting back to work, and on and on, please read on. According to a University of Minnesota article, living under constant threat has serious health consequences. Fear weakens the immune system and can cause cardiovascular damage, gastrointestinal problems such as intestinal ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome, and decreased fertility. Long term stress can even lead to accelerated ageing and premature death.
I ask myself why I would put my entire life on hold and stay in quarantine for 5 months to avoid a possibly deadly infection while consciously creating life threatening hormonal changes in my body. My answer to myself was, “I wouldn’t.”
The opposite of fear is trust, or calmness. No matter how hard I need to focus on relaxation or calmness, I have come to realize that I’m wasting this quarantine time if I don’t work hard to combat the stress. According to the Huff Post God actually commands us not to fear or worry at least 80 times in the bible. Apparently, stress and fear has been around for a long time.
In addition to the stress factors are the issues of Netflix and chill. Sitting for long periods is also related to heart disease and diabetes. It can be as destructive as Covid itself!
I know that in my house if I’m nervous, so is my husband and importantly, our little dog. She hunkers under me and watches movies too. So, after the first month of lockdown where we had actually agreed to binge on a couple of our favorite shows with 5 seasons TWICE, we knew that some sort of mental / emotional illness would set in to all of us if we didn’t agree on plans of exercising or meditating together every day along with activities that we do at certain times to mark the days. This is really a hard time in life, isn’t it?
I can’t tell anybody else what to do with their time, but I have been a trainer for many years and I know that shut – in TV watching for months isn’t good for anyone! Here are my suggestions.
First of all, if the weather and neighborhood allow it, walking each day is the best thing that you can do. If you’re infirm, 5 minutes a day is a good place to start. If you’re young and healthy, now is a great time to set goals for some type of competition in the future. Why not? I’m old, but I’m considering a career in corn hole and pickle ball when this damned thing is over. I didn’t even know that I missed sports competition until now.
I am an active QiGong practitioner which is what brings me down to a relaxed place after walking. I post a lot of videos, and I recommend going to youtube for many programs. I love
Mimi Kuo Deemer’s (click) lectures and classes. She’s for real! There is an 8 move routine called BaDuanJin
which is also demonstrated on youtube, and it is an excellent daily practice. Actually, if you were to become interested in QiGong, there are millions of credible videos to learn from. I chose QiGong because I’m jumpy and busy and in the beginning, sitting quietly while my mind was screaming didn’t work for me. After practicing the movements while meditating, I have an easier time practicing a sitting meditation.
Taking a moment away from our ongoing stressful situation is imperative. You have to take time to do something, anything to stop the stress hormones from raising your blood pressure. Your own choice of music on headphones, waterfall or ocean sounds, or even listening to relaxing music in your car are some things to do. A hot bath, a nap, a sit in the backyard, or anything to clear your mind for even 5 minutes a day will stop the stress hormone overload and give you a minute to rest your mind.
If you’re out of work and freaking out, I send positive thoughts and prayers. I get crazy when I watch politicians going home for a holiday while no unemployment decisions have been made. They have left for a four day weekend? They have no idea that a hungry hard working person is checking the mailbox twice a day “just in case” anyway. This is why I suggest that you change the channel to funny pets for an hour or two. The less time you focus on the news, the better.
Whatever you’re doing, know that you’re not alone here. Some people don’t give a #$%@ about us, but many do. If you need help with food, ask. If you need a higher credit card limit, ask. You might be surprised what some companies are doing for people. There are good people out there that do understand the predicament that Americans have found themselves in.
The opposite of fear is curiosity, or trust, or courage or calmness. Spend time talking to those that you trust, satisfy your curiosity by taking a free course online, go outside and breathe! Maybe I’ll see you on the pickleball court. This nightmare WILL end. Take care, everyone.
