WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR WORLD HAS BEEN HIJACKED

      I'm writing this post with the sincere desire to help comfort those individuals who may feel devastated by the election results. I've seen countless people on social media who are absolutely terrified, worried and scared. There are women worried that we are just months away from a nationwide abortion ban. There are seniors scared that their social security and Medicare are going to be taken away. There are immigrants rightfully worried that they will be rounded up in mass numbers and deported. And there are people across the globe terrified as to what might happen when an aged and angry president takes over the country and has his hands on the nuclear codes. I'll admit, these things can be very scary. And honestly, I don't have the answers as to what is going to happen in the future. I don't know what is going to happen next week, next month, next year, or even tomorrow, but I have some basic tools that can help you cope with today. And we'll deal with tomorrow, tomorrow.

     I want to briefly share with you my own personnel experience so you will know that I truly understand what you are going through. My story of excruciating anxiety started shortly after I graduated from college. I studied business and marketing but even before graduating I was having serious doubts about my major and career path. On top of that, my college girlfriend was pressuring me to get married and I was trying to follow and swallow the religion that her family had raised her in. I tried several jobs out of college and got extremely anxious and ended up quitting all of them. And as my wedding date got closer and closer shear panic set in. I literally starting having debilitating panic attacks. They would seemingly come out of nowhere and it felt as if my head and my heart were going to explode. It got to the point that they were happening multiple times a day and it actually felt as though I was losing my mind. I'd never been more afraid in my entire life. I cancelled the wedding, broke up with my girlfriend and got into truck driving, but still the panic attacks persisted. I honestly wanted to end my life.

     It was during this period of time that I stumbled upon a one-day stress management class at a local junior college that would forever change my life. Honestly, I don't remember the man's name who taught the class (it's been almost forty years ago) but I do remember him quite vividly. He was probably in his thirties and had a very long, thick beard. He reminded me of Jesus in jeans and a tee-shirt, and when he spoke his voice was soft, tranquil and soothing. It literally gave me goosebumps to be in his presence, he'd seemed to have tapped into a peace and tranquility that the average person would never understand. I don't recall from his personnel story if he'd always been this way, or was it a trait that he'd learned? But I knew right then and there that I wanted desperately to have this unique and rare gift.

     The man explained that he'd actually been on a jetliner that was hijacked. (Hence the title of my blog: WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR WORLD HAS BEEN HIJACKED.) He explained that while the terrorists took over the plane, the passengers on board naturally lost all control. They were hysterical, screaming and rightfully fearful they were going to die. My stress management teacher explained how he immediately went inside himself and fell into a deep state of meditation. His explanation wasn't preachy or religious, he simply went to an altered state of consciousness, freeing his mind of the fear and letting go of a situation he clearly had zero control over. He survived the ordeal and was now teaching others how to better cope with their anxieties and fears. I was completely mesmerized by his story and him. I told myself that day that I was going to do everything in my power to become as much like this man as possible and I would spend the rest of my life practicing the techniques to better cope when my life gets hijacked.

     Don't get me wrong, that one-day class did not give me the relief I was seeking. If I was expecting a miracle that listening to this man for a few hours was going to immediately fix my problems, I would have been gravely disappointed. But it gave me the motivation to make permanent life changes that would forever alter my life. (I even became a massage therapist many years later but that would be a separate story unto itself.) I did seek the services of a psychologist and later a psychiatrist who prescribed a medication that helped alleviate the panic attacks, but I knew right from the beginning that I did not want to be under long term psychiatric care or under the influence of medical drugs. I made the decision right then that I would learn and practice the stress management techniques that would bring me closer to being like my stress management teacher and get me off artificial solutions that would not provide any long term relief. 

     So, for the rest of this blog I'm going to try and share with you as many of those basic techniques as I can without inundating you with information. For starters, learn to meditate. And I don't mean the type of meditation where you are sitting in a lotus position and chanting. For me, my meditation is simply stretching. I don't start with my mind, I start with my body. I actually spend a minimum of an hour each day stretching before bed. And as I stretch, my mind gets quieter and quieter. So for me, I'm not focusing my mind on anything in particular, other than the particular muscle I'm trying to stretch. I have a vast arsenal of stretches that I do and I'm not going to get into all of them. (Grab a book at a local book store or check out the internet for stretching techniques that seem right for you.) But I will explain a few basic stretches. The first is a very simple attempted toe touch. I say "attempted" because most people can't actually touch their toes. (I've been doing this for so long that I can actually touch my palms to the floor.) How flexible you are really isn't important. Do what your body will allow you to do and practice it daily. Start with your legs spread apart evenly about a foot or so, and with your legs straight, gently bend over and reach for your toes. Don't strain or try too hard. Simply let your body relax as you gently take deep breaths in and out. Stay in this position for as long as it is comfortable. Within minutes you'll feel your back and legs start to relax and let go. 

     Another stretch I do daily is a calf stretch. With comfortable shoes, simply step into a doorway and while holding onto the wall on either side of the door jam, place your heel on the floor and your toes as high up the door jam as you can comfortably get them and now gently lean in and stretch your calf. I spend several minutes on each calf and get immediate relief and the gradual calming of the mind. (Again, for further ideas grab a book or pamphlet on stretching.) I would also highly recommend, for those who can afford it, to get a handheld massager. I bought one at Costco. You can find then online for under $100. My suggestion if you don't want to stretch is to find a few minutes every day for yourself and listen to music or watch a non-stressful TV show while using the massager to alleviate stress in the bottoms of your feet, your calves, thighs, arms, neck or any part of your body that is feeling anxious. I always stretch or use the massager before bed. It's critical that you get a good night's rest. If you are having trouble sleeping, I recommend going to a health food store or local market and picking up melatonin, or other non-habit forming sleep aid. Taken a half hour before bed it can greatly enhance your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. (Please, if you're struggling with stress and anxiety, don't reach for alcohol or drugs. Not only are they habit forming, they're dangerous.)  

     Next is diet. That saying is true, "You are what you eat." If you eat crap, you're going to feel like crap. And I know what it is to be a crap eater. I used to feast on Coke, Monster energy drinks, fatty burgers and sugary snacks. I used to love these things as much as the next person. I rarely touch them now. Again, I'm not going to get into a detailed dietary plan, but stick to common sense basics: mostly fruits, vegetables and grains. I enjoy salmon and eggs in moderation. I love natural peanut butter with no sugar added. I eat a salad every single day without exception. Find ways to gradually substitute bad food choices for good ones. Instead of potato chips, eat a baked potato. Instead of a cookie, eat an apple or carrot. Instead of a Coke, drink carrot juice or greens juice. (V8 sells a "Deliciously Green" mixed greens juice with apples that I buy at Walmart. It's not expensive and it tastes really good. It's definitely better for you than soda.) And as for energy drinks, get off them! They are loaded with junk and are made to increase your anxiety, not decrease it. (V8 Plus Energy is a good alternative if you're wanting a caffeine lift without the extra crap. It's fruit juice and caffeine from black and green tea. Available at my local Walmart, a 12-pack for $10.) That being said, ideally you should be drinking mostly water, eight glasses minimum per day. I have a water jug that holds eight glasses and I make sure to drink it each and every day. Large amounts of water will flush your body from the toxins you've been consuming. And lastly, for hamburger lovers try a veggie burger instead. (I eat a veggie burger almost daily with avocado, hummus and sauerkraut.) I understand your dietary choices may be vastly different than mine. That's okay. Again, please avoid the obvious garbage like donuts, candy and highly fatty foods. If possible, I highly recommend adding a multi-vitamin to your diet to be sure you're getting the extra essential nutrients your diet may be leaving out. I also take a B-complex vitamin for brain health and Omega 3 once a day for heart health.  

     Next is exercise. I discovered during my panic stricken days that exercise is essential. I have belonged to a gym for well over forty years. My current Planet Fitness membership is as low as $10 per month. If you can't get to a gym due to cost or availability, I completely understand. In my younger days, I would jog daily. Now, in my advanced years, running is too hard on my body. But I walk daily. If you can bring yourself to take an extended walk of twenty minutes or more three or more times a week, you will take tremendous strides towards improving your health and state of mind. And if you take your walks in parks, nature trails or green belts, even better. Getting back to nature is a tremendous way to disconnect from the stress and chaos of the world. I make a conscience effort to get out into nature several times a week. It is very freeing and resets the soul.

     During these stressful and uncertain times, try relying on faithful companions and friends. It's okay to share your fears and anxieties, but then focus on the good. Find ways to laugh, read a good book, or watch a joyful movie. I'm a writer, so even writing your thoughts and feelings is a great way to express your emotions and get them off your chest. Perhaps, start a diary or journal? What to avoid during these trying times? Avoid toxic news, toxic social media and toxic people. If someone you know is constantly filling your head with negativity, learn to set boundaries and find a polite way to get some distance from them. I instinctively avoid anyone with toxic energy. If you have a pet, use this time to rely on their love and affection. Even if don't have a pet, learn to live like a pet. Animals are fantastic teachers and yet humans are rarely smart enough to learn from them. I realized my dog, Maya, is a fantastic teacher. Think about it for a moment, the average animal is only concerned about the immediate moment. They are thinking about their next meal, getting some immediate love, having some play time and getting some rest. THEY ARE NOT THINKING ABOUT TOMMORROW! It is beyond there capacity to think about tomorrow, much less beyond tomorrow. 

     And that was the major lesson my stress management teacher taught us! Quiet your mind, live right now in this moment. Do NOT let your mind wander into fearful thoughts of what the future might bring. Think about your next meal and concentrate on eating well when you do eat. Drink plenty of water. If possible, stretch or walk daily. When I was riddled with anxiety attacks, I wasn't living day to day, but rather moment by moment. I still try to live that way today. You are wasting time and energy and contaminating your mind if you're spending today's energy anxiously worrying about tomorrow or the future. Please live in the moment and nurture your body and your mind. And please know this, if it feels as though your world has been hijacked, I and others like you are on that scary plane ride with you. And as my stress management instructor so wisely taught us, the hijacked plane landed and he got off okay. And regardless of all the negative possibilities, your soul will be okay. And I believe that with every ounce of my being. YOU WILL BE OKAY! So, please start right now by living in this immediate moment and learn to love and nurture yourself today. 

I sincerely hope this helps. Thanks for reading my blog.