Stress ?

How is winter going for you? Do you feel stress, anxiety, impatience, sadness, depression? Are your skies cloudy and gray, or full of beautiful blue and white fluffy clouds? I know the sun makes anything look better. I also know that many of us are not aware when we have stress in our lives.

I took a flight to Austin last week to visit my mother. January is always a tricky time to fly from Cleveland, but it is important to me to see her every few months. My flight to Austin was uneventful - everything you want in a flight - on time, plenty of time between flights, and one of my brothers picked me up. My visit with Mom was wonderful. I planned my trip to make it back home the day before my husband’s birthday. He told me it was no big deal if I missed his birthday, but it mattered to me. So my flight home was important to me. The night before the flight I received a text that some flights might be cancelled the next day due to the winter storm Kassandra. I kept watch on the radar but knew my flight was transferring in Atlanta where the storm didn’t seem to be headed. Another brother offered to drive me to the airport for my return flight. As I got in his car, I learned the flight was delayed so we stopped for breakfast before he dropped me off at the terminal to wait. I read a book and felt calm and relaxed as I waited for boarding. My flight was an hour and a half late arriving in Atlanta, leaving me only 15 minutes between flights to disembark, find the next gate, and board the next plane. Was it possible? I didn’t realize how much stress I was feeling until I made it to the gate only 4 doors down from where we landed. They were still boarding and that’s when the tears started streaming down my face. I had made it! I would make it home after all. I think it took most of the flight for me to relax and find peace. I was amazed at how emotional I was. It was just a plane ride delayed by weather. So why was I weepy?

We often don’t realize the stress we carry day to day. It makes it even more important to care for ourselves, to take time to relax, meditate, reflect, play a game, read a book, or just breathe. I don’t feel there is much stress in my life right now. But it can creep up on you at the most unexpected time. This winter, take extra care of yourself. Get the extra rest you need, do something that makes you smile. And when the stress comes out, accept it and let it flow through you. A few days later, I am back to being refreshed and relaxed once again. I was able to enjoy the snow out my window a few days ago as I savored a warm cup of tea and read a good book in my favorite chair. Try not to be hard on yourself when a little stress overwhelms you, know that this too will pass.