By Rick Moore
I decided to skip my usual drive on Highway 98 and take Scenic Gulf Drive instead. The speed limit was twenty miles an hour. With the car windows down, slowly cruising along the beautiful shores of the Emerald Coast, I noticed several people parasailing. I longed to be up there, high above the waves, riding the air currents without a care in the world. But this moment of peace was interrupted when my phone rang. After checking the caller ID, I made the rare decision to let the call go to voicemail. That one simple choice changed the entire outlook of everything that happened for the rest of the day—in a very positive way. It was my moment of solitude. Having moments of solitude doesn’t mean you’re lonely; it means you’re enjoying being alone. Taking time to be alone may be exactly what you need to relieve anxiety.
Earlier that day, I had encountered a situation that brought on extreme anxiety. I became nervous and started to stutter. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, and given very little time to resolve a difficult matter, it felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. Being pressured to move quickly can lead to panic attacks. We all experience anxiety. It’s often driven by a strong desire to succeed or to impress others. If this happens to you, pause and take a deep breath. Stop and think. Be where your feet are. Take a moment to regain your composure. Quit magnifying the causes of your stress, and let go of your problems. When the immediate crisis is over, find time to decompress. Those of us who live near the coast are so blessed to be able to visit the beach and listen to the waves. Neurologists say listening to waves positively influences our nervous system. Ocean waves follow a rhythmic pattern of 12 cycles per minute, mirroring the breathing pattern of a relaxed person. This is why sitting on the beach is such a great place to chill.
Some anxiety comes from external sources we can’t control, while other anxiety comes from internal sources we can control. Don’t take yourself so seriously. Forget about others’ perceptions of you. More importantly, forget about your own perception of you. Forget how well you did—or didn’t—perform. Forget your failures. Forget the pressure to keep up with the neighbors. Instead, incorporate healthy habits and get plenty of rest.
Another way to relieve stress and anxiety is to spend quality time with others. Shortly after we purchased annual passes for a theme park in Orlando, my wife unexpectedly had to have a major procedure on her hip. We debated whether she was well enough to make the trip. The decision was made to rent a wheelchair inside the parks. Friends we were going with encouraged us to get a Fast Pass, which allowed us to experience more rides in a shorter time. A Fast Pass is nice, but my question was: where can we get a “Slow Pass?” There are times when the thrill of riding every rollercoaster in the park is fun, but the truth is, there are also times I just like to slow down. Fortunately, we found a good mix—skipping the long lines without feeling pressured to race off to the next ride. I enjoyed the new attractions, but my favorite time in the park was sitting on a bench, just talking with friends. Treat yourself today to a “Slow Pass.” It’s free—and it leads to a better you. Your family will be glad you did, your co-workers will be glad you did, and most of all, you will be glad you did.
Rick Moore is Communication Pastor at Destiny Worship Center
Author: Sowal Editor
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