How To Create Solutions During Difficult Times
It goes without saying, that many people are faced with stressful life challenges that are impacting their mental/emotional, physical health, and spiritual well-being. It is difficult to find a quiet, peaceful spot. The solutions to difficult times often elude many people, because of the indoctrination and conditioning that elected officials are responsible for giving the answers and pointing people in the right direction.
Turning on the TV/Radio news is inviting drama into your life. The war in Ukraine takes center stage with all the gory details. Even the Academy Awards had its moment of violence and negative emotional turmoil with Will Smith slapping Chris Rock.
Covid information is confusing and when you add all the misinformation about vaccination efficacy or validity, it can make your head spin. Politics is filled with dissension, misinformation, and disharmony. If that is not enough, how about Climate Change and inflation. And we can’t forget gun violence on our streets, schools, and churches, domestic violence, rampant sex trafficking that is yawned at in the justice system. Did I miss anything? Oh Yes, the border issues, especially southern borders, which are the least traveled routes to bring illegal drugs and immigrants into the U.S. The U.S. has more than 20 ports on its coastline where tons of illegal drugs are brought in and many immigrants enter illegally.
It is difficult to stay above these factors and stay out of stress and feel a sense of peace and security in today’s world. Hours spent watching the news do not help. In addition, the isolation that many sense from Covid restrictions has taken its toll on people’s mental/emotional health. How can one regain peace of mind with all of these forces in play?
Drugs, alcohol, sleeping pills, or other OTC drugs are not the answer, although many people use them. However, the relief is temporary. Ironically, and insidiously using them makes your health and happiness worse. Numbing your senses, emotions, and memories does not lead to growth, development, happiness, and peace of mind.
Once emotions have been activated, chemicals enter the bloodstream that will impact your physical and mental/emotional health. You don’t need to be passive and helpless in the face of these powerful forces.
Here are some suggestions to create mental/emotional and physical health and peace of mind:
1. Meditate using techniques to integrate your breath for life-force control along with mindful awareness. When you learn to breathe properly, you can direct the flow of life-force energy to transform and transmute mental/emotional and physical states. This is a powerful stress reduction method that will leave you energized, relaxed, and more present at the moment. Consciousness is better than booze.
There are numerous places where you can get meditation training. Here are some suggestions:
a. Here is a place to start with some well-guided meditation MP3 downloads.
b. https://yogananda.org offers lessons and training in meditation.
c. Do an Internet search to find mindful meditation techniques.
2. Exercise. Here is a good article on the value of exercise.
An Internet search shows: “Exercise reduces levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that are the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators.”
3. Do some hatha yoga practice that integrates the breath into the postures. This practice becomes more than physical stretching and will lead to the deepening of consciousness.
4. Clean up your diet. Reduce caffeine, sugar, and carbs. Eat Right For Your Blood Type.
5. Fill your mind with positive self-talk. Use empowering words. Deepen your capacity to accept and love yourself.
6. Read some uplifting and inspiring books. Here are two suggestions:
a. “Autobiography of a Yogi” by Paramahansa Yogananda.
b. “Bouncing Back 2017 in Crisis! How to Prepare for and Recover from Life’s Greatest Threats” by Ronald L Mann, Ph.D.
c. “Sacred Healing: Integrating Spirituality with Psychotherapy” by Ronald L Mann, Ph.D. (LA Times Bestseller)
d. “Love Is Letting Go of Fear” by Gerald Jampolsky, M.D
In summary, there are a lot of external stressors in the world. You can learn to take charge of your inner life and take positive actions to keep yourself sane while creating mental/emotional and physical health and wellness.
Wishing you Health, Peace, and Love,