Handling Change and Stress: Be Mindful

There are so many wonderful people I know going through significant issues right now -- divorce, moving, foreclosure, loss of a loved one, new job, health concerns, etc. Change is never easy. You feel as if you are on a neverending roller coaster ride - with bad news followed by good news followed by bad and so on. Our bodies react in kind -- sweaty hands, shortness of breath, stomachs out of control, tension headaches, backaches, and more. You awaken in the middle of the night, reminding yourself of what you didn't do or what went wrong, instead of congratulating yourself for the other 150 things that you did well.

Here's a tip to stop the insanity (thanks to a recent workshop I attended by my Salem State Alumni friends and Dr. Jefferson Prince from Mass General). Practice "mindfulness." The next time you start to think worrisome, negative thoughts about yourself or your situation, try to concentrate on your breathing instead. Place your hands on the top and bottom of your belly button, and just feel the rise and fall from a few slow, deep breaths. Perhaps think a kind word to yourself such as "love" or "light." Eventually, you will train your mind to concentrate more on the "now" than on what you cannot control. Instead of thinking of what always comes next, try to just "be" for a few moments several times a day. Your mind and body will thank you for it.

Life happens, with much of it outside of our control. Your mind is incredibly powerful; negative thoughts can overtake you. The practice of mindfulness can get you back on track, building resiliency. It gives your mind a much deserved vacation, if only for a few minutes each day. Namaste, my friends. I recognize the divine spirit in each of you. Knowing it can help, won't you do the same for yourself?

Leaping into a Better You

We knew our spring-like winter would not last the entire season -- but we had a really good go of it. A minor inconvenience on Leap Day, a day that only comes once every four years. As I watched "Modern Family" on television last night, I got a kick out of the Dunphy family's attempt to make Leap Day truly special since it is a "gift," an extra day that should be celebrated and not treated as any ordinary day. They planned to take family trapeze lessons, something they never did before. Although flying through the air isn't one of my dreams, my son loves it and has done it several times at Jordan's Furniture in Reading. If you decided to make one full day a gift to yourself, what would you do?

Laze on the couch and watch movies? Nah. How about trying something totally different? You may recall last May when I blogged about my fantasy day of visiting various chocolate shops and sampling a few of their specialties. I've also enjoyed having breakfast, lunch, and dinner in three different states while sightseeing for the day. Getting away for a full day changes the background and reminds us what life is all about. Put down the cell phone, grab your family or friends, and just be together.

Longing for spring? Why not visit Russell's in Wayland on a Saturday morning for their Farmer's Market housed within their warm greenhouses filled with beautiful flowers and plants that make you forget about winter. Study the colors of the vibrant petals that surround you and let their wonderful scents bring you back to your childhood days of pulling up daisies. Or head to Salisbury or Hampton Beach and play arcade games. Or maybe Sky Zone's massive trampolines in Everett or Dedham will bring out the kid in you again.

We all need some fun among our numerous responsibilities. Relationships improve when taking the time to chat with each other on a ride to nowhere or a walk in the woods. Whether it is with your partner, children, friends, or some combination, make some day soon an un-ordinary day to do something you don't normally do. Get in touch with your "Dunphy" side, act a little goofy, and take a chance. Leap years remind us to take a leap of faith and venture into the unknown a bit. Isn't it time to leap a little? For more ideas on places to go, don't forget my list of fun adventures. Just click on the files at the bottom of the page.