De-stressing

Unlike some people whose bodies immediately register stress in the form of specific aches and pains, I’m usually oblivious to the ravages of stress on my mind and body. This is not a good thing. Symptoms like pain I can deal with, but the stress lurking below physical thresholds and consciousness is sort of like passive-aggressive behaviour; you think you’re safe and then it bites you.

On the other hand, with all we’ve been going through in the last several weeks, leading up to Mom’s death, how could I not be stressed? And last week, I didn’t even have time for my Curves workout. So today, I employed a pre-emptive strategy to deal with the stress that I know must be ready to attack. I went to Curves, worked extra hard, and then stretch for a luxurious amount of time.

I’ve learned how to give myself a back massage: Laying on my back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor, I raise your butt and then my back so that my weight is on my shoulders and feet. Then I rotate my shoulders and arms forward and backward to work out the kinks in my upper back. Exquisite agony! Then I roll down my spine until my back is again flat on the floor. Do this a few times and you’ll feel almost like you’ve had a massage.

Then, after picking up Mom’s ashes at the funeral home, I parked the car in a nearby village and explored the local art shops and galleries. Although I saw nothing very inspiring on this jaunt, just walking around and not feeling rushed was relaxing.

Finally, I took myself to lunch – soup and salad at our favorite diner – and lingered over my iced tea listening to oldies from the ‘50s and ‘60s in the background.

It wasn’t the spa vacation I really need, but, hey, it’s a start.

Sue