Handling Change

Change is the only constant in life.  Change is one of the most stressful events for most people to handle.  What are my secrets to handling change? Setting priorities and learning to live a more simplistic life. I have a sense of gratitude for everything I have.  I commit to sit – meditation. I eat the best food I can afford. I sleep when I am tired. I have a sense of gratitude for every single little thing that shows up in my life.  I get excited when I find a parking space or when someone holds the door for me or I get a check for five dollars.  This might seem like really small reasons to break into a smile, but somehow smiling when I walk into work makes my job easier. I find a reason to smile or laugh everyday.

I have a daily meditation practice.  Every day no matter how tired or frustrated I am, I sit and meditate at least once during the day.  I commit to sit for 20 minutes and breathe.  On really stressful or hard days it might be two or three times.  Sometimes every overwhelming thought about my life seems to show up at once and I have to stop and take just 1 minute to take 10 deep breaths.  I also attend yoga classes two to three times per week. Yoga is a moving meditation so I get all the benefits of exercise as well as breath work.

I eat the best food I can afford which is not always organic. The best choice is always whole food nutrition, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, lean meats and whole grains.  When I have eight dollars in the bank I can't buy organic food but I can buy some canned black beans, brown rice, an avocado and lettuce.  I make a black bean salad, or beans and rice lettuce tacos. I planted a garden and eat it out of it every day during the summer.  Getting food from the garden grounds me and slows me down. I have to check my harvest daily or it will dry up or go bad.

I sleep when I am tired.  If I don't get it all done by the end of the day (and I never get it all done) I go to sleep.  I have to restore my energy or I will not have anything for the next day.

Living our lives fully means embracing change because it will always be with us.  Creating and practicing behaviors that help me adapt to change every day and reduces stress.

Live Vibrantly,

Dr. Daemon Jones

[box] Dr. Dae maintains a private practice and sees patients as a naturopathic physician. If you are interested in becoming a patient, know that Dr Dae also offers services via Skype and through phone consultations. Her office phone is 202-681-0705 or email her with questions drdae@ healthydaes.com.[/box]