The Stress We Live....

It amazes me...life amazes me! We live our lives interacting with others around us. Strangely, when we are "denied" that ability to interact or it is reduced in some manner, we filled with anxiety, stress and grief. Anxiety because we don't know when things will change, stress because we can't share as feely as we have been doing so in the past, and grief because that social interaction is like a loss in our world.

We ARE social creatures! We NEED to interact with others. One of the ways POW's could be controlled is by isolation. Some got through it better than others because of coping skills but, rest assured, they ALL suffered to some degree. When we experience the death of someone we know, the stress, anxiety and grief can be everything from mild to extreme! Husbands and wives have been known to pass away shortly after the other one has passed away due to profound grief. When we are cut off from others, it can, for some, feel just like the death of that person because we can't reach them.

Right now, COVID-19 has us restricted in some ways and not restricted in others. Thank goodness for social media to help us keep in touch. Phones are great, but there's just nothing like that face-to-face interaction that makes it "real" to us. So videos with our friends and loved ones reduces the stress, anxiety and grief, but part of it still remains. Why?

We aren't just social creatures to hear and see those around us, but we CRAVE the physical touch of those near to us. A hand shake, a hug, just the physical closeness of another human being helps us cope with worldly stresses. We don't feel so "alone" when we are in the physical presence of others. Studies have shown that when people are sick and have others visit them or even stay with them, they heal not only faster but deeper. They eat and drink better and they even SLEEP better! Its the knowledge that SOMEONE is there...someone that can be reached out to, called out to, and even held onto when we need them.

Don't forget your family and friends right now. Reach out to them as much as you can. Phone or video with them. Physical interaction right now is tricky...do I physically go visit and risk me or them getting sick or do I stay away. Here's a partial solution....you might not be able to do the whole hug and kiss thing but, by golly, you CAN be IN THEIR PHYSICAL presence....just 6 feet away. You can "elbow" hug...you can blow kisses across the room to each other.

Don't forget too, that when you attend Community Acupuncture events for example, not only are YOU getting a chance to heal, but even though you are 6 feet from the other person in the room, you are BOTH sending out copious healing energies TO each other! You BOTH heal better, and faster, and deeper! So bring someone with you to an event....share the healing with others.

Maybe, just maybe, we can all get through this rough and tumble time by remembering that we CAN still share in each other's lives....we just have to make a few modifications. The modifications won't hurt us near as much as a possible permanent loss of those around us. So modify away, and when you are feeling anxious, or stressed, go meditate, get acupuncture, get a massage....but go for the healing others offer.

Blessings to all! ~Renee