Dealing with stress

Posted on July 8, 2020 - By Dr. Di

Is your stress getting in the way of moving forward in this upside-down world? The

isolation is wearing thin for many of us. Are you finding that, instead of using your time

wisely, as you might have done the first couple of days, you’re struggling to stay

focused? You may feel that you’ve just gotten serious about forming your career plans,

and they are already tanking. It’s time to calm your mind.

Try this: Sit in a comfortable chair, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing; try to

notice your heart beat. Do stomach breathing, letting your tummy protrude and recede

like the singers do. Count to 5 slowly as you inhale, and to 8 as you exhale. Clear your

mind. Relax your body, from your neck and shoulders all the way down to your feet.

As thoughts crop up, as they do for everyone (fears, unfinished tasks, people you worry

about), allow them to slip away in your imagination and get your focus back on your

breath. If one thought is particularly intrusive, keeping your eyes closed, try quickly

moving your eyes from left to right a few times, and then refocus on your breath. Ten

minutes of this calming and mind-clearing, 2-3 times each day, will do a lot to help clear

your cluttered mind and give you a fresh, calm perspective.