Posted by Alice Moon on Feb.09, 2009

Each day that passes brings word of another health risk, another environmental pollutant, another toxin we should watch for in our food, water, our home. The list of hazards to watch out for is so long we can’t hope to keep pace and often those stories of potential danger, no matter how remote, cause us stress.

Worry can make us just as sick as any germ or chemical exposure. In many ways it is worse for our health because this attack comes from inside.  It is something we do to ourselves. We may mean well, strive to do the best for our families, and protect our children, but when we allow troubling issues to overwhelm us, we compromise the very health and well being we’re attempting to save. If we get sick, that affects everyone who knows, loves and depends on us.

While it can be difficult to do so, we must learn to let go of some of the control over our lives. We have to figure out which battles are worth fighting, what toll those choices may take on the rest of our responsibilities, what casualties will be acceptable. If we spend the majority of our time crusading against a host of issues and miss the special experiences that come with being fully present for our loved ones, alive in our days and our selves, we have to ask if the fight is really worth the cost. There may come a time when we have to say “I have done my part” and pass the torch to the next person.

As information becomes continually more pervasive, we have to learn to set limits on how much we allow it to invade our personal time and space. The news will still be there when we get to it. That perfect afternoon at the park or lunch with a friend may not be. If your fears or concerns begin to take over a majority of your thoughts, it might be time to seek help. Don’t be afraid to reach out. Talk to a friend, take some time away and reevaluate. You may find that with a bit of distance (or even just a good night’s sleep) what troubled you in the moment now has less power. If you still believe action is called for, you’ll start from a better place instead of working out of fear.

We have to be careful that as we try to protect our children, we aren’t creating fear in them. We don’t want them to grow up hesitant to go out into the world and try new things, preoccupied by the potential harm in each experience. We also have to be careful not to isolate them from the natural exposures which help develop a healthy immune system or social interaction. Children deserve a trusting relationship with their family and community. That said, it is important to understand how your child deals with information as an individual and where he or she has progressed developmentally before fully informing them of potential hazards. There are many ways to present facts about being safe, avoiding hidden dangers, without creating apprehension. A worried child may begin to show exaggerated behavior out of context as they don’t have the resources to process their anxiety. We’re doing them no favors if they avoid a minor health issue only to come away with a major psychological problem.

We have to be careful that we don’t erode our friendships as well. It is all too easy to wear out our welcome with those we care about if we always push them to attain our level of awareness or activism. Sometimes the best example, the really effective one which will cause true change, is for others to see us living a more balanced, healthy life following our own precepts. If you can combine activism and social expectations to form a balanced relationship, that is the ideal. Let others come to you and they will be more open to what you have to share.

We have to claim the freedom to live our lives in peace. Sometimes the pressure may come from outside sources, sometimes it may be coming from ourselves alone. Taking the time to clear out our mental space as we would a cluttered room and then reorganizing, prioritizing, is essential if we’re to function at the level this busy modern society requires. Sometimes the best stand we can take is to fight for our own serenity and let the rest go.

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Posted under Fitness For Body & Mind, GDM Lifestyle, Health & Fitness, Living.