stress relief

Unleashing the Restful Warrior: Conquering the Frustrations of Resting When You’re Accustomed to an Active Lifestyle

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Resting when you’re sick is often recommended for a speedy recovery. However, for individuals who are used to being active and productive, the idea of resting can feel frustrating and unsatisfying. I’m writing this today because I’ve been sick the last 2 days and I’m trying to get myself into a place where I can embrace the downtime. It’s hard. My meditation is physical activity and I’ve been stuck inside! In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why it can be challenging to embrace rest when you’re accustomed to an active lifestyle and provide insights on how to navigate this struggle effectively.

  1. Reduced Physical and Mental Stimulation: When illness strikes, our activity levels naturally decrease. The reduced physical and mental stimulation can leave us feeling restless and bored, particularly if we’re used to being engaged in various activities. The lack of stimulation can magnify the perception that resting “sucks.” To combat this, explore alternative ways to stimulate your mind, such as reading books, listening to podcasts, or engaging in light creative activities that don’t strain your body.
  2. Break in Routine: Being sick disrupts our regular routines, which can be unsettling for those accustomed to a structured lifestyle. Suddenly shifting from being active and productive to resting and recuperating can feel disorienting and leave us with a sense of unproductivity. To cope with this, establish a modified routine that incorporates elements of rest, self-care, and low-intensity activities. Having a semblance of structure can help alleviate the discomfort of a disrupted routine.
  3. Loss of Control: Illness often forces us to slow down and rely on others for assistance. This loss of control over our activities and the feeling of dependency can be frustrating, especially for individuals who value their autonomy. It’s crucial to recognize that accepting help and allowing ourselves to rest is not a sign of weakness, but rather a necessary step toward healing. Embrace the support around you and use this time to practice self-compassion.
  4. Fear of Falling Behind: If we have responsibilities or commitments that need to be put on hold due to illness, the fear of falling behind or not meeting deadlines can weigh heavily on our minds. It’s essential to communicate with those affected by the situation and prioritize self-care. By focusing on your recovery, you’ll be better equipped to tackle your obligations once you’re back to full health. Remember, your well-being should take precedence over any temporary setbacks.
  5. Impatience for Recovery: Active individuals often have a strong desire to bounce back quickly. Resting can sometimes feel counterproductive, leading to impatience and a temptation to push through the illness rather than allowing ourselves the necessary time to heal fully. It’s important to recognize that rest is an integral part of the recovery process. Embrace this period as an opportunity to nurture your body and mind, knowing that it will ultimately facilitate a faster and more complete recovery.

Conclusion: While it may be challenging to embrace rest when you’re accustomed to an active lifestyle, it’s crucial to prioritize your well-being during times of illness. By understanding the reasons why resting can be difficult and implementing strategies to navigate this struggle effectively, you can embrace the healing power of rest without feeling frustrated or unproductive. Remember, allowing yourself the necessary time to recover fully will not only benefit your health but also contribute to your long-term productivity and overall well-being.

Harnessing the Power of Exercise: A Holistic Approach to Boys’ Mental Health

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Friends, we’re living in an era where our world is expanding and competition is intensifying – not just within our own neighborhoods, but on a global stage. Our American kids are battling it out with bright minds from India, China, and beyond for jobs and resources. It’s no wonder we’re eager to offer our children every possible advantage.

You want your child in the best schools, soaking up knowledge, sweating hard work, and acing those report cards. You want them to head into the world armed with the tools to conquer whatever challenges they face. So, if your boy is having difficulty staying focused, it’s only natural to consider medication that promises to boost concentration. If a doctor recommends it, it must be safe, correct?

However, we must pause and question – are there alternative routes to this destination? Have we, as a collective, tacitly decided to medicate our kids with stimulants in an effort to edge out the competition? Is this really the optimal path we want to tread?

I believe it’s crucial to remember that boys, by their very nature, are bundles of energy. Maybe our focus needs to shift towards creating more opportunities for physical activities for our young ones. This could be the transformative change our children need, and it might just set them on a healthier, more balanced path to success.

I recently stumbled upon a study that illuminated the compelling efficacy of physical exercise in treating depression and anxiety, it resonated with me deeply.  We’re all aware of the physical advantages of exercise, but its psychological benefits are often overlooked. It releases endorphins, our brain’s natural mood elevators, making exercise a kind of natural antidepressant.

But just how effective is exercise compared to medication when it comes to mental health?

A meta-analysis led by Cooney et al. in 2013 drew an intriguing conclusion: exercise can be a potent remedy for depression, with effects similar to antidepressant medication. Equally fascinating, a study by Wipfli, Rethorst, and Landers[^6^] indicated that exercise significantly alleviates symptoms of anxiety.

So why am I so fixated on exercise as a first-line treatment, especially for young boys?

Well, it’s simple. First, physical activity instills healthy lifestyle habits that can protect against various health complications down the line. It improves self-esteem and body image, critical to a young boy’s mental well-being. And let’s not forget the undeniable stress relief and social interaction it provides, especially with team sports.

Now, the important thing here is not to demonize medication. It has its place, and it has proven to be a lifeline for many. But as fans of my work know, I’m always in pursuit of methods that offer broad, systemic benefits with minimal side effects. And here, my friends, exercise outshines medication. It provides lasting benefits that extend far beyond the cessation of an exercise routine, unlike medication whose effects typically wear off once it’s discontinued.

In conclusion, our objective isn’t just to manage symptoms, but to empower boys to grow into healthy, balanced adults. The role of exercise extends beyond immediate relief and instills a habit of wellness that can shape a lifetime. It’s high time we lace up our running shoes before reaching for the prescription pad.

Remember, this is a complex issue, and professional consultation is always key. Exercise should be viewed as a powerful supplement to a treatment plan, not a replacement for professional help when it’s needed.

  1. National Institute of Mental Health – Anxiety Disorders: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml
  2. Medical News Today – Exercise vs Medication: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/is-exercise-more-effective-than-medication-for-depression-and-anxiety
  3. Mayo Clinic – Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389
  4. WebMD – Exercise and Depression: https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression
  5. Cooney et al. – Exercise for depression: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3772979/
  6. Wipfli, Rethorst, Landers – The Anxiolytic Effects of Exercise: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials and Dose-Response Analysis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18785356/
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Benefits of Physical Activity: https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm
  8. HealthyChildren.org – Physical Activity Improves Quality of Life: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/fitness/Pages/Physical-Activity-Improves-Quality-of-Life.aspx

New Junkie Stress Disorder (TM Pending)

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     You’re constantly watching CNN for their coverage of the January 6th trials or the war in Ukraine.  You spend days fixated on Fox News for their take on the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe V Wade decision.  You go down a reddit rabbit holes on Q, Hunter Biden and the latest shooting.  You are plugged in.

    If you can’t go a single day, nay hour, without knowing what’s going on and feel out of the loop if there is a news event that you are not familiar with, then you suffer from News Junkie Stress Disorder (I made the disorder up, trademark is pending!).  

   The desire to be informed is certainly a positive quality.  After all, it’s in our genes.  We had to know if there was a lion in a field far away or if danger lurked around the bush.  Knowledge isn’t just power, it keeps us alive!  

Also, in a democracy, there’s value in having an informed citizenry.  Knowing about current events can help you to protect your property, improve your health and protect the lives of yourself and your family.  People who ignore current events altogether do so at their peril.

     However, being addicted to news is a huge cause of stress.  Our ancestors had to know about the lions in a certain cave, but they didn’t have to know everything happening around their country or the globe at every second!   That’s in addition to dealing with your own problems.  If you combine Donald Trump, Joe Biden, a school shooting and your missed grocery store stop, you’re going to have a lot going on everyday!   

If you have to be aware of the major issue of the day, everyday and combine that with the stress of life, it’s anxiety inducing.  You might find yourself depressed, anxious, worried, fearful and apprehensive at all moments.  It can be particularly troubling hearing about a news event and feeling as if you’re powerless to respond, because you are.  That, paired on top of the rest of life, is way too much.

    Let’s take a little quiz to see if you may be putting yourself into this category or news junkie stress disorder..  Do you watch more than two hours a day of cable news?  Do you read more than one major paper?  Do you listen to any news podcasts or news talk radio for more than an hour a day?  Are you on the Internet for more than 2 hours a day, reading twitter headlines or Apple News or Google News?

    If you answered “yes” to the preceding questions, you are in jeopardy of harming your emotional, spiritual and physical health through excessive stress.  Watching television or listening to talk radio is not a passive experience, it takes a toll on your nerves.  You become edgy. You feel high-strung.  You might find it increasingly difficult to concentrate because you’re distracted by the latest bombing, or scandal.  You become increasing irritability and can’t to stay calm in stressful situations.

    Information overload is a stress inducing experience. There’s a reason military’s incorporate noises and lights in their interrogation processes.  If you’re diagnosed with News Junkie Stress Disorder, you need to unplug.  You have crossed the line from informed, and are now overwhelmed.  It’s time to take steps to protect yourself against this stress.

   I’m a fan of quitting cold turkey.  This is how I quit smoking cigarettes many years ago, I just stopped.  However, for those who need to taper, begin with limiting the amount of time you spend on cable news.  Watch the headlines at the beginning of the day and the end.  On occasion, you might want to catch a deep dive, in order to hear in-depth reporting of a particular issue.  On those occasions, limit your time to an hour.

  Also, cut the amount of time you spend on your phone hunting down headlines.  In many cases, just knowing the headlines is enough.  You don’t need the death toll minute-by-minute in order to form a viewpoint about the latest tragedy.  In addition, reading just one major newspapers each day should provide you with enough information to have a good understanding of the major issues of the day.  You don’t need multiple subscriptions.  Most of the stories will be the same.

    Being informed can give you a sense of power and awareness.  There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be on top of the issues.  But taking it too far can lead to extreme stress.  If the news is becoming overwhelming, turn off the TV, turn off your phone, sit back and relax. You may want to go on a run, walk the dog, go to the park or shoot some hoops.  You’ll most likely find that being outside and getting Vitamin D makes you happier than watching the news!  I promise, if you step back your news consumption, your happiness will increase by the multiple of the time you stop consuming.