Take Action, Take 20!

It happens in a blink! 

I’m on the treadmill yesterday chugging along  with my heart beating at 160 beats/minute, but my mind is at Publix shuffling through the aisles figuring out what grocery’s I still need to buy for the week as I anticipate my college friend’s visit on Thursday evening.  What should I cook? I have to clean!   Oh, what time is my daughter’s track meet, and will I have time to whip up dinner in time tonight?  Ugh~  I am supposed to be de-stressing at the gym!   While all these thoughts bombard my brain, I just happen to tune in to the words of a song…”It happens in a blink, it happens in a flash.  Taking in all the colors, before they fade to grey… I don’t want to miss… even just a second more of this… what is that I have done with my life?  Then here’s the answer-- SLOW DOWN, SLOW DOWN… Before the day becomes our yesterday; before you turn around and it’s too late.”  

In my previous blog, my friend shared her decision to do the Whole30 Nutrition plan and it made me realize how vital it is to stop and reflect on what is actually going on in and around us.  We can agree that we are all very busy and at times ignore our health.    What happens when we forgo that annual check- up with our doctor; ignore a symptom that comes and goes?  Do we turn away from the mirror ashamed to glance at the weight we have gained?   Just the anxiety alone of wondering is doing a number on us.   To be blunt--it’s time for a reality check.  What if we stopped to take the time and relieve our wondering?   Wondering leads to worry, and worry takes us down the road to stress and anxiety.  

Dealing with our anxiety is vital.  We are so busy that we may not even realize we suffer from anxiety.  “A study from Web MD states that anxiety is the most common mental illness in America. Do you worry?  Actually, much of the country does — anxiety disorders affect nearly 40 million Americans.   Author Patricia Pearson explores our national epidemic in her new book, A Brief History of Anxiety (Yours and Mine). "It's an unnerving time to be alive," she says. "Everyone's worried about their jobs, never mind this climate-change stuff." (Web MD)

Taking Action!  Ever think of just dropping everything smack in the middle of the day forgetting the bills, the cleaning, facebook, etc… and rest 20 minutes to reflect? 

Meditation reduces anxiety.   Whether you choose a quiet place to pray, meditate or relax your mind; do it!   Exercise reduces anxiety.   Generally, when people get a little exercise they feel less anxiety in their lives. As little as 20 minutes can make you feel calmer right now.

I like the thought of escaping the routine; why not take a day off and go to the beach alone!  Is there a place that just popped up for a second that visits your mind occasionally and then is diminished by schedules, work, clutter? 

It’s time to take 20… because it happens in a blink.