Now I am officially a senior, I get the AARP newsletter, which often has articles about strategies to live a longer and more enjoyable life, and how to reduce stress. It always strikes me as ironic that as elders we are still looking for the Magic Elixir, even though we have less time left in our bodies! However, it is still a subject I am intensely interested in, for myself and my clients.
It is pretty common knowledge that lots of stress and anxiety do not support our immune systems to withstand all the demands of this toxic lifestyle of ours. Lack of sleep does not allow our minds or bodies to rejuvenate adequately. Fast foods tax our digestive systems, the complexity and pace of life overwhelms many of us, and despite the fact we are living longer, does that mean our quality of life is actually better than our grandparents?
I’m sure you know some friends who are naturally calm and seem to manage the stresses of life more easily. Others are “drama queens” where even the smallest upset seems to grow into giant proportions in their perspective. Others always seem to be struggling with health issues. Is it only the chosen few that seem to be ‘bullet proof’, and no matter what comes up they maintain their equilibrium?
So we don’t all have to be born with those stress resilient genes- we can actually practice skills for equanimity, peace and resilience.
When life hits us between the eyeballs, the kind of therapy I use states that we can
-solve the problem if we can
-change our attitudes/how we feel about it
-accept the problem
– or stay miserable.
Life takes some figuring out, and that’s where therapy can be helpful. Yes, some things you just have to accept because at this moment you do not have the power to change them, but it is remarkable how many folks can unconsciously elect to stay miserable too. Suffering can be optional.
Also, many folks expect their thinking brains to sort out the problems of life and ignore their bodies which have their own intelligence. It is a fact that unless the mind and body are interacting to ‘surf’ life effectively, things start to break down and there is a feeling of disconnection. There is only so much room to abuse the body before it resists our ‘executive functioning’ brain directives. Then no matter what you will it to do for you, it’s unlikely that things will work as expected. You have to remember to refuel your engine! You cannot just “run on the smell of an oil rag” as the old saying goes.
That is why Body based movement therapy can help make that connection for more effective navigation in this ocean of complicated life. Learning Mindfulness of your body internally (and being able to interpret those messages) as well as observing your world externally more effectively, helps to build resilience and reduce anxiety and depression. Look for my Mindfulness training coming up, or book some individual sessions to learn how to work with your body and mind harmoniously. Let me help you build a “life worth living” as Dr Marsha Linehan, the founder of Dialectical Behavior Therapy stated.
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