Recently, the topics of my column have centered on managing stress, fear, and the unknown. Our political sunrises and sunsets have been difficult for many. Usually, we don’t know what’s changing, and what does is nothing we anticipated.

It’s essential to acknowledge our emotions—feelings are genuine, and people approach life in different ways. Even if we agree with leadership, we are dealing with loss. We feel loss with what we leave behind, even though we might celebrate where we’re going. A good example of that is changing jobs or moving to a new home—we’re excited for what’s to come, but we grieve the security and routine of the old job and friends in the old neighborhood.
What we think about grows, so today’s article focuses on shifting gears and giving our minds a break from fears and stress.

One thing that has helped me is Yoga. It gives me a purpose, and the instructor’s soothing voice calms my soul. Improving my muscles, balance, and flexibility is a bonus. It helps me focus on my breathing—paying attention to breathing in and out slowly is magical when I need to reset my emotions.

Another good tool in your toolbox is to find something that helps you focus on yourself. It could be gardening, reading, cooking, or taking a hike. My top stress relievers are Lucy, walking, and writing. I also feel a sense of tension release when I pull weeds and pick up trash—when I finish and my back hurts, I feel good about my efforts, and my focus on the world has lessened. It’s an example of physical exertion and pain having precedence over emotions.

Here is a writing exercise that helps me balance and reset. Even if you don’t consider yourself a writer, getting thoughts from your body to a sheet of paper or a computer screen helps sift out the real issues, good and bad.

Spend some thoughtful time answering these questions:

What do I want?

What is my purpose?

What am I grateful for?

Sometimes, the world is so vast and complex that it’s hard to grasp what’s happening. Answering these three questions thoroughly, not just with one-liners, can help us return to the center, to what we can control, so we can better manage what we cannot change.

When you feel scattered, furious, or afraid, bringing energy back to yourself is very helpful. Focus on your five senses: what do you see, smell, taste, touch, and feel? And don’t forget to breathe.

We cannot control much in this world, but we can set our standards and develop skills to keep us within the middle of the bell curve—extremes are not where mental health thrives.

Until the next time: Live while you live.

Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of “My Clients…My Teachers,” and the blogger and writer of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.

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