Feeling Stressed? You’re Not Alone
Are you feeling stressed? Maybe even overwhelmed? Whether it’s the upcoming election with all the negative rhetoric, the destruction from recent storms in the Southeast, or the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, Stress is everywhere. For some of us, it may be personal challenges adding to the weight of global and national events.
Whatever the cause, one thing is clear: stress levels are high, and I see it all around me. But I’m not here to give you the usual “10 steps to reduce stress” talk or tell you to simply “change your perspective.” Instead, I want to validate what you’re feeling. We are living through stressful times, and pretending everything is okay can make us feel guilty for being stressed.
Good Stress
You might be surprised to learn that not all stress is bad. Some stress is actually considered “good stress”—called *eustress*. It’s that excitement you feel before a big event, like a competition or a fun night out. When we experience eustress, our heart rate and breathing increase, and we feel energized, ready to perform at our best. This type of stress is short-term and helps us feel focused and prepared.
Bad Stress
On the other hand, the stress I mentioned earlier isn’t the good kind. It’s the type that leaves you exhausted, foggy-headed, and anxious. This is called dis-stress, and when we experience it for long periods, it can take a toll on both our mental and physical health.
Lessons from the Pool Table
Lately, I’ve been learning to shoot pool. Some days I do alright, but other days, I can’t seem to sink a single ball. It got me thinking—what life lessons could I take away from playing pool?
When the table is crowded with balls of different colors—some solid, some striped—it can feel chaotic, like nothing is lining up. Isn’t that how dis-stress feels? With so many things demanding our attention, it’s hard to know where to start. External pressures, unexpected events, and interruptions make everything feel overwhelming and out of control.
Let’s Have Some Fun
I’ve decided that what I need right now is some pure, simple fun. Remember that feeling?
Take Halloween, for example. I haven’t done anything to get ready for it yet—no pumpkins, not even candy. But maybe this weekend, I’ll pick up a couple of pumpkins and decorate them. I used to carve them, but now I prefer decorating. That could be fun!
This also reminds me of something my dad used to say. He taught classes at Retirement communities on various topics, and I found an old handout of his called The Society of Childlike Grownups. I’ve always said, “It’s never too late to set another goal or dream a new dream,” but my dad had his own take: “It’s never too late to have a happy childhood.”
Here’s a list he shared:
- Walk in the rain
- Jump in mud puddles
- Collect rainbows
- Smell flowers
- Blow bubbles
- Look up at the moon and stars
- Say hello to everyone
- Go barefoot
- Go on adventures
- Sing in shower
I’d add: Go get ice cream and take a walk. And that’s exactly what my mom and I did today. She’s staying with me, and I’ve been raving about my favorite local ice cream shop. So, as a break from work, we went out for ice cream, sat outside, and soaked in the beautiful day—just as if we didn’t have a care in the world. Then I took a walk when we got home.
For now, my stress level is lower.
What about you? Would you like to join the Society of Childlike Grownups?
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Originally Published on HeyBoomer.biz
