I have a friend who is dealing with US immigration authorities, trying to apply for green card renewal. One of my co-workers is applying for US citizenship and is excited to be a US citizen but is worried about her application. One thing I have learned about talking to my two friends is how stressful it is to apply for US citizenship and deal with US immigration forms. The forms are complex and the process takes time. In the meantime, my friends are fretting about the status of their applications while also taking part in the usual round of work and home responsibilities.
It has all made me think how important it is to de-stress in our lives. Now, you may not be waiting for green card renewal or awaiting the status of your US citizenship, but there are likely some stressors in your life. Whether it is that flu that just won’t go away or that huge project at work, we all tend to fret.
And fretting is just bad news. Research study after research study has proven it: stress raises our blood pressure, wakens our immune systems, makes us age faster, and makes us more ill. Excessive stress has been linked to everything from wrinkles to heart attacks, so it is time to stamp this dangerous aggressor out of our lives forever. Of course, it’s easy to say that. We all know that dealing with hectic surprises and overwrought schedules take more than just determination.
I have found that time out for me really does work. Even if I only have fifteen minutes a day, I light a scented candle and retreat to a quiet, dark room. Sometimes I listen to music, sometimes I take a bath. Sometimes I do nothing at all. The point is to do very little or almost nothing at all, to let my thoughts drift and to just relax and let go. After fifteen minutes (or, if I’m lucky, an hour) of this, I feel revived and refreshed, ready to tackle anything. And taking time out each day has a cumulative effect: I feel lighter, happier, calmer, and less stressed out.
For me, a luxury scented candle is a crucial part of the whole me-time experience. First, the scent of the candle is really important. Aromatherapy is a proven way to help reduce stress, and after experimenting with candles, I am certainly a believer! Secondly, a candle lets me shut out most of the lights. This is crucial, since dim lighting is essential for relaxation. With the lights on, it’s too tempting to clean up, do a little reading and work – lights out are a must if I want to relax! The light of the candle also makes me feel totally relaxed and pampered.
Posted on February 22nd, 2010 by Mark Huntington
Filed under: Stress
