Searching For That "Stress Free" Life...

Stress is the enemy...

Many years ago, Dr. Andy told me that my stomach ulcer was most likely the side effect of stress, and that I needed lower the stress content in my life. I was in my early 30's, at that time.

Dr. Andy was a good old military doctor who'd set up a private practice in family medicine. He was pretty no-nonsense and not given to reflecting much on the woo-woo side of life.

Some 25 years later, Dr. B felt pretty confident — after observing me as a patient for a few years — that my high blood pressure issues were likely related in large part of stress.

Of course, stress is a rather "relative" beast. We all handle and "metabolize" stress differently. One person's stress is another person's excitement. Seems I'm one of those people who handle stress really well on a psychological level, while my body rebels against it on a physical level.

That can be a pretty toxic and dangerous blend, sadly.

Way back when, I had some pretty long conversations with Dr. Andy about stress, some of which ended at the impasse that "slowing down" would undoubtedly have its benefits, but the resultant poverty and homelessness would more than make up for any benefits.

Not long after, Dr. Andy closed his practice and retired to Costa Rica. He didn't like stress, either, but had the luxury of having had a medical doctor's income for several decades.

Which brings me to that slightly uncomfortable reality that the current state of life on this planet is not kind to those who thrive on "slow" and "stress-free," rather than "fast paced" and "exciting."

Yes, I do actually know people who'd likely try to chew their leg off if they were trapped in inactivity for more than a day or two.

Society tends to regard "slow" as a vice and perhaps even an example of sloth and other negative things. We're "supposed to" be moving rapidly and energetically at all times, or we will "never amount to anything." Even my own mother believed that to be true!

So where does a person go, when what is considered the "normal" way to live is actually putting their health at risk?

Well, after many years of simply "grinning and bearing" it, I mostly went to the doctor, and now live my life dependent on a series of medications... this following a trip to the emergency room at the local hospital just before the holidays 10 years ago, due to a "hypertensive event."

We can't expect to live in "bubbles," of course... but this kind of reality does invite a deeper examination of whether the "modern life" we have created is actually suitable for human consumption.

For some, it may not be.

Of course, I don't really expect anything to change, I'm merely telling a story, and putting the words out into the public arena simply to they are there, as part of the greater data stream.

"Silence is acceptance," as the old truism goes. I may not be a flag waving and banner toting protestor, but at least I can add my voice.

Thanks for reading, and have a great Friday!

How about YOU? How well do you handle stress? Do you think stress can cause long term health problems? Comments, feedback and other interaction is invited and welcomed! Because — after all — SOCIAL content is about interacting, right? Leave a comment — share your experiences — be part of the conversation!

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Created at 20220915 22:25 PDT
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