Our bodies have been through a lot. The acute illness of COVID-19 was one thing — it's debatable if that danger to our bodies has truly passed, not to mention everything we're still learning about Long COVID — but also just the immense stress of living in these times. Mental distress can often manifest in acute physical symptoms as a result of constant activation of our parasympathetic nervous system. Medical emergencies, financial strain and emotional pain translate into serious mileage for our bodies — from indigestion and heartburn to panic attacks and chronic exhaustion
"It’s not so much what chronic stress does to the nervous system," according to the American Psychological Association. "but what continuous activation of the nervous system does to other bodily systems that become problematic."
Telling you to have a less stressful life would be absolutely useless advice, so instead I'll just suggest you prioritize reconnecting with your body with whatever bit of mindfulness and joy you can find in your daily routine. For instance, play in the sprinklers.
It's drought season in the Midwest. Between a harsh winter and some questionable landscaping decisions on my part, I find myself spending much of my mornings tending to a rigid watering schedule to retain and regrow the greenery around my yard. But rather than being a miserable chore, I've taken to puttering around with the sprinklers, getting wet when I rearrange them, feeling the water between my toes.
Yesterday I sat and watched one sprinkler waving back and forth, not fretting the water bill but instead just observing all the water dripping from the tree and falling on my shoulders. I noted the smell of rain I managed to conjure up. I breathed in and thanked my lungs for tolerating the high pollen season for this moment of peace.
None of it reduces my stress, but it does bring me pleasure on chaotic days.
Try to slow down and listen to your body. What smells and sensations can ground you? What helps you feel connected to your body in some small joyful way. Write to us about your sprinkler moments. And if you get a chance, maybe listen to this weekend’s show about our wondrous and miraculous bodies.
— Mark