By Nancy Adler
Though there is plenty Americans disagree about, most will agree about stress. As a nation, we have plenty of it: 77% of people experience physical symptoms because of their angst levels. Not to mention 48% of those also believe their stress levels have a negative effect on their personal and professional lives. Now with a pandemic and the world in transition, we need to find solace in our own mind.
Even with these staggering (and revealing) figures, self-care, exercise, healthy eating, and mindfulness usually come last in our list of priorities. After all, with a to-do list that’s as tall as we are, it’s difficult to force ourselves to pause and relax. But this decade, it’s time to embrace “me” time and adapt rituals and habits that lower our anxiety .
The idea of surrounding yourself with absolute quiet might feel odd or even frightening to people accustomed to constant manmade noise. Expect that, but don’t let it deter you. And yes, some people sit in silence for a year, but what works best for most of us is finding everyday moments of silence.
Silence is important in the morning because cortisol levels are highest then. Skip flipping on the news or opening the paper when you wake up. “It takes only 12 minutes in the morning to lower your cortisol. Spend the first 12 minutes of the day sitting quietly, watching the sun come up, with a steaming cup of tea.
It’s normal to have a radio on while doing chores. But try going without and spending 30 minutes in quiet as you wash dishes, dust, or iron. Those kinds of things are mindless in a good sense as they don’t require us to do any heavy intellectual work. This leaves you open to your intuition, that quiet part that can’t be heard over noise. Don’t be surprised if solutions to nagging problems become apparent during these quiet times. Walking in nature is a simple way to find silence. Save the iPod for the gym and tune in to your natural surroundings.
I personally find the quiet in my backyard . The benefit of gardening is twofold: It puts you in touch with nature, and it’s great solo silent time. Simply repotting some plants can bring stress levels way down. Swimming is not only a way to clear your mind but Help burn off a few of those calories
A silent commute, with social media off, can be an especially beneficial way to both begin and end the workday, Silently reflect on the day’s events to renew a tired spirit and restore peace. Cell phones, instant messaging, and e-mails are filled with sound and stimulation. Each technology comes with an accompanying noise, most of which we don’t even notice any more. Try silencing all your tech gadgets from time to time and spend a few hours enjoying the difference that accompanies a quieter, more complete life.
Nancy Adler is a certified nutritionist and practitioner in Linwood. Her office is located in Cornerstone Commerce Center, 1201 New Rd. Learn about her practice at ww.nancyadlernutrition.com (609)653-4900
You may listen to Nancy every Sunday at 2 pm Nancy Adler Nutrition LIVE! NewsTalk 1400 WOND
