Sunday, November 18, 2007

Little Steps

So, I’m reading this flyer about how stress can affect somebody who has diabetes. The body will release extra glucose into the blood stream in response to stress-filled situations. Wonderful. Extra glucose for a person who is diabetic is going to make their glucose readings soar. Not good.

I had gotten to the point in the flyer where the authors of the piece were advising the reader to try to determine what was causing the stress in their life. Then, they said to talk to your diabetes-care team. I think, “And, they’re going to help me hire a hit man?” I had to laugh.

Anyway, stress is generally on my mind around this time of year. There is the guilt I feel for not wanting to be a dutiful daughter. There is the agony I go through as I try to decide on the best gifts to give to different people. These things by themselves ought not to bother your regular Joe all that much. But, they have always bothered me and as I read that flyer the concern that I worry a lot worries me. It’s like this never ending cycle.

The way I figure it, I am trying to look at things from a different perspective:

1. God (or my higher self) would never give me anything to do that I cannot handle or that isn’t in my best interest to think or learn about.


2. I can pickup on the fact that there is something that is not quite right and I can do a little bit of psychological healing.

Anyway, that’s enough for now. I gave up smoking. I gave up drinking. I have made inroads into the idea that exercise is a good thing and in joining Curves started doing something positive in that direction. I may never end up looking like Miss America, but I think I am slowly, but surely moving to a place where I might not need to worry as much as I used to.

1 comment:

Ken Albin said...

Stress is something I constantly worry about (pun intended!). As a teacher it is almost impossible to avoid daily stress. The students cause it, the class regimen invites it, and the administration seems to relish raising the stress levels of teachers to show they have control over this part of our lives. I can feel the negative impact of stress on my organs and see it on my face. Exercise and meditation help but I haven't found a good way of avoiding most teaching stress. I know that it is taking years off of my life but it is the price I pay for being a good teacher. I only hope that my body will hold out for a few more years so I can retire knowing that I gave it my best and still have a decent life afterwards as far as my health is concerned. Most people have stresses in their lives and the trick is to learn how to deal with them so they don't wind up killing you. We have lost two science teachers here the past two years due primarily to stress. One died from heart problems and one from a stroke. Sorry to be so "down" with this comment but it really does scare me.