Distractions can lead to Reactions

I was recently working on my bathtub. This was one of those projects which extended for years. I had hit an impasse. I tried to consult with some people and decided to table the project as it seemed to hit a dead end. When I finally got back to it, there was a bit of trial and error. I must say, there is nothing quite like installing a tub faucet and watching it fly across the tub when pressure increases. I replayed this because it was so funny to me. However, my experience of laughing through this type of thing was not always my modus operandi. 

In the past, trying to get something like a faucet, to fit two or three times and it still didn’t fit, would push me to my limit. I would lose my mind. I would get so frustrated and I would have an emotional explosion. What I was not paying attention to was distraction and managing my emotions. 

What has been happening all around us and in our minds can cause frustration. This can lead to anxiety. Anxiety leads to that fight or flight response we have heard so much about. The fight or flight response leads to inflammation in our bodies, which is your body preparing itself physiologically for the fight or the flight. There are many implications regarding inflammation in our bodies. This can cause emotional and physical problems. This includes heart disease, cancer, anxiety, depression, etc. Managing this is very, very important. Lucky for us, managing it is not complex at all. 

Let’s focus on reactions as a cause of anxiety. A stimulus causes a chain reaction inside us. For example: The faucet pops off when I turn the water on, for the third time. The following rushes through my mind in a millisecond: It did not go as planned; I have spent more money than planned on this; I am at a loss as to how to resolve this. Frustration escalates immediately. My heart starts pushing blood more rapidly through my body. Different organs begin to inflame for protections, not knowing what is coming. All of this blurs response and decision making. This impacts our next course of action, such as throwing the faucet out the window. This impacting the person outside whom it hits and their call to 911 and my subsequent court date. Yes, extreme, however, you get the point. 

Considering how complicated that system of reaction is, it seems unlikely there is anything less complex about slowing this down or stopping it. However, luck is in our favor. 

With a pause, we can attain balance. Balance helps us to be steady and avoid reactions. Avoiding reactions keeps our anxiety down and the subsequent activation of fight or flight. 

Pausing is so simple, it almost seems unrealistic, until we try it. To pause in a stressful situation, stopping and practicing 4,7,8 breathing can stop the reactions. That is: close your eyes;  breathe in to fill your lungs in 4 seconds; hold your breath for 7 seconds; then fully release your breath in 8 seconds. This can be done three or four times in a row until there is a new sensation. This is known to some as a tranquilizer for the nervous system. It brings peaceful moments. The more we practice this, the more these peaceful moments turn into a peaceful state. As we attain a peaceful state, unexpected happenings such as a faucet popping out of the wall become less intense, and maybe even … funny. 

There are so many distractions all around us. We have social media, cell phones, text messages, work, and even relationship stressors. These can create the right environment for stress and anxiety. Pausing and seeking peace, and mindfulness, we can balance this. Mindfulness is really big right now. Embrace it! 

Peaceful moments can also be found in projects requiring focus, puzzling, coloring, yoga and meditation. These are all things that can help with providing peaceful moments and help us move to a state of peacefulness and balance. Emotional balance brings consistency in our day-to-day and allows us to look lightly upon flying faucets. 

(See video below)