Achieving Serenity in Life – May 2007

Ageisms – Seven steps to achieve Serenity in life

While you can ‘t always change what’s going on in the world, there is a lot you can do about how it affects you. Stress comes not only from what’s going in your life, but more importantly, from how you react to it. When you practice some simple stress-management techniques on a regular basis, you can be in the same job, the same environment, even the same family, but react in more constructive and healthful ways.

Exercise: Physical exercise is a great way to discharge stressful feelings that accumulate during the day. Just walking for 20 to 30 minutes per day makes you feel better and look better. Incorporate exercise into your daily life: park a little farther away from your place of work, take the stairs, walk the dog….
Enhance social support: The most commonly prescribed drugs in this country are antidepressants. People who feel lonely, depressed and isolated (the silent epidemic in this country) are many times more likely to get sick and die prematurely than those who have a strong sense of connection and community. Call a friend. Get a dog. Volunteer in a hospital. Go to church or synagogue. Have dinner with your family.
Breathe: Your breath is the link between your mind and your body. It both reflects and affects your level of stress. One clue to let you know when you’re feeling stressed is that your breath becomes more rapid and shallow. When you become aware of this, remind yourself to take some slow, deep breaths, which will reduce your stress level almost immediately.
Meditate: You can meditate on almost anything – a sound, a word, a prayer, a song, an image or your breathing. Interestingly, different cultures meditate on words that sound very similar, beginning with an “ah” or “oh” and ending with an “tn” or “n,” like a parent humming to a baby. Om! Shalom! Salaam! Rooommm! Amen! etc. These words are often translated as meaning “peace” because they help make you feel that way. Close your eyes and sit in a comfortable position. You can also access your inner wisdom that speaks very clearly but quietly.
Try yoga: Gentle yoga stretches can relax chronically tensed muscle groups and increase both physical and mental flexibility. Just as your mind affects your body, so does your body affect your mind. When your body is more relaxed, your mind feels less stressed.
Cut down on stimulants: Caffeine, found in “energy” drinks, cola, coffee, tea and many medications, potentates stress. In other words, it shortens your fuse and makes you more reactive to stress. Re-experience what it feels like to live without the constant stimulation of the television, radio or iPod being on 24/7. While it’s important to stay informed, give yourself a break from the news continually droning on about disasters.
Practice forgiveness: When you forgive someone, it doesn’t excuse their actions; it frees you from stress and suffering. This is true for nations as well as individuals. Otherwise, the cycle of violence continues and escalates from country to country and from generation to generation, fighting in the name of peace. It takes strength and courage to forgive. Just consider the strength of people like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, or Martin Luther King.

You have a spectrum of choices; it’s not all or nothing. In my experience, consistency is more important than duration. Even a minute of meditation each day can make a difference. If you can’t walk for an hour, walk for five minutes. If you indulge yourself one day, eat more healthfully the next. These techniques and teachings are part of all cultures, and all religions, in one form or another. Or as the ecumenical spiritual teacher Swami Satchidananda often said, “I’m not a Hindu; I’m an Un-do.”