In these days of Covid I wonder who has any feelings of control? Who thinks they have all the answers? Who knows when there will be no more quarantines or social distancing? Can anyone say with complete certainty their choice to use or not use a mask will protect them? What is really at risk? What is being protected? Is Rage Travel the right thing to do? Questions continue to pop up and our sense of control, or power, over this situation continues to waver on individual and global levels.

This is stressful and what we are seeing is a variety of behaviors as different as each person is different from one another. Each person is attempting to control their stress through their actions or inactions, whether through adherence to medical advice, disregard for medical advice, or somewhere in the middle. To further help control stress we see like-minded people bonding together over social media, occasionally lashing out against those who don't agree, increasing a sense of power through position.

Some factors that contribute to lower, healthier stress levels are:

• Feelings of control

• Feelings of mastery

• Thoughts and/or meditations

• Memories of success in similar situations

• Understanding responsibility

• Boundaries for self and others

• Ability to let go

• Hope

• Having an adequate support system

A simple example of a potentially stressful situation turning into a rewarding one involves an unexpectedly warm spring day. Recently there was a 30 degree temperature shift towards warmth where I live so I chose to drive with the windows down. I was navigating some heavy traffic and my hair kept blowing in my face, disrupting my vision and tickling my face. I was distracted. Normally this would have stressed me out, but because I remembered it was a beautiful day and I had chosen to leave the windows down I immediately tucked my hair behind my ear and felt peace. I actually smiled and made a mental note to pack something to hold my hair back for future drives. I could have been irritated and put my window up. I could have doomed myself to a future of AC only. I could have stressed enough to make mistakes and become a nuisance behind the wheel.

I chose to remember the why behind the situation, recalled successfully used techniques from previous years, took immediate action to remedy the stress, made a plan for the future, and continued to enjoy the peace of the warm day.

Sometimes a shift in perspective is all that's needed, but often finding relief isn't that easy. Sometimes stress almost becomes normal, if uncomfortable. If you're  having trouble shaking off the stress and would like to increase your daily peace, call for an appointment today. Call (810) 255-1818.