Given the stress levels recently endured by the good people of this region, I laughed out loud when I came across “One minute to calm: 20 ways to beat stress in 60 seconds or less” by Denise Schipani. I suppose there are people who can chill out in a matter of seconds. I’m not one of them – been told a time (or maybe two) that I’m high-strung. As life is put back together post Ike, my version would read more like “One minute to launch: 20 ways to get fired up over nothing and lift off in 60 seconds or less”. The countdown is reaching its final moments.
It was almost effortless just after the passing of the storm to be calm and patient with those around me. While reflecting on that thought, I realized what was different: I was literally unplugged (no electricity) from the world. My immediate surroundings provided the only sensory input available to me. Now that we’re plugged in again and the pace of returning to normal (not that I really have a firm grasp on exactly what that is) has increased, I’m finding myself in a rather testy state. Small annoyances are acting as heated rocket fuel on the brink of ignition.
Out of desperation, and for the sake of those around me, I’m going to explore some of what Ms. Schipani suggested. However, upon further examination it becomes clear that sixty seconds of anything isn’t likely to bring back my usually sunny disposition. If I could stand to watch television for any length of time, I’m sure a pharmaceutical cure would advertise itself, but then I’d have a host of new complaints in the form of its side-effects. Oh well, I’ve got nothing to lose save a bad attitude. I’ll share a few of my favorites.
Laughter is the best medicine. One sure way to achieve it, according to Schipani, is to put marshmallow Peeps (you know, the candy we used to see only around Easter, but are now mass-marketed for every known, and some unknown holidays) in the microwave and watch them puff up. At first glance, I was not amused. Then I recalled seeing an ad for personalized M&M candies. Did you know you can now not only have a tiny message printed on them, but also a photo? I figure if the Peeps can be fashioned to resemble those causing my blood-pressure to rise, that method would absolutely be therapeutic.
The article also advises indulging in some dark chocolate as it contains a calming compound and mild stimulant. Then, I should “belly-breathe” – focus all my attention and irritating thoughts to my belly. First of all, there isn’t enough chocolate readily available in the United States to calm my frayed nerves. Secondly, if I ate all I could stand, and then had to concentrate on the area of new and profound girth I gained while trying to lose frustration via chocolate, I’d be doubly stressed. Those simply will not work.
Someone I consider a great friend gave some sage advice this week in regards to just one of the annoyances vying to send me into orbit: be patient. It’s something I’m not very good at, but oddly enough it applies to every single thing getting my proverbial goat these days. The agitators can have the goat; I prefer travelling with much better company.
© 2008 Natalie Whatley