Back to Basics
When chaos surrounds us—especially on a large scale that blends the personal drama with the world stage—it can be hard to keep our bearings. Temptation can swing wildly between being swept up in the energy and unplugging entirely from it. Who amongst us hasn’t had days or weeks where we’ve wanted to take to our bed, as writer Brian Doyle described it, like it’s a boat at sea and drift away? Or perhaps go to our familiar, not always healthy, crutches? So much roiling, so much lurking, so much we see and know and more that we don’t. So… what to do?
For starters, go back to basics. Keep healthy routines such as getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, keeping socially active, eating healthy meals. Then add in some of the following:
Take a walk or hike in nature. Science is starting to give Mother Nature the props she deserves for keeping us healthy. As little as 15 minutes in the woods can have profound effects on us, reducing cortisol and increasing overall well-being; 45 minutes can improve cognitive performance.
Keep a disciplined meditation or prayer practice.
Did you forget how to have fun? Make it a stress-free mission to remember and seek what makes you laugh, what brings you joy.
Try or continue alternative therapies such as Reiki, acupuncture, reflexology. Same goes for the centering practices that incorporate breath, balance and flow like yoga, Tai-Chi, Qigong and others.
Volunteer.
Learn something new.
Hang out with kids.
Get art: read a novel, see a movie, go to the theater, a concert, museum or gallery.
RESOURCES
Meditation/Sleep
Insight Timer app—download for free at insighttimer.com
Chopra Center: Articles and information on meditation – chopracentermeditation.com
Nature
The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier and More Creative by Florence Williams
Blue Mind: The Surprising Science that Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do by Wallace J. Nichols
Poetry and Spiritual Writing
The Gift: Poems by Hafiz the Great Sufi Master, Translations by Daniel Ladinsky
A Year with Rumi, Daily Readings, Translations by Coleman Barks
Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver
The Wild Keeps Her Holy by Tiffany Aurora
The Wisdom Jesus: A New Perspective on Christ and His Message by Cynthia Bourgenault
The Time Is Now: A Call to Uncommon Courage by Joan Chittister
A Gospel of Hope by Walter Brueggemann
Wrestling with God: Finding Hope and Meaning in Our Daily Struggles to Be Human by Ronald Rolheiser
This article appeared in the Summer 2019 issue of Living Peace.