Antaeus, in Greek mythology, was a Libyan giant, the son of Gaia, the Earth Goddess. He was invincible because when thrown to the ground, he derived strength from the earth, his mother, and returned stronger than before.
And that too is a secret of strength.
When under stress, I tend to “run” (metaphorically speaking!)—to travel, to take a day out in a National Trust or RHS garden, or just sleep.
Nothing wrong with that, but “down to earth” ways of decompressing are often surprisingly healing and refreshing. A landmark UCLA study, which looks at women under stress observes that the first thing women under stress do is clean (followed by making coffee, and bonding with other women).
And oddly, for both me and Roy, tidying up is one of our most therapeutic activities. There is something so peaceful about order gradually emerging, and the gentle movement involved in it, especially if one has worship music on the stereo. It’s actually restful, provided there is no time pressure, and one has not allowed one’s surroundings to get too out of control.
Gardeningtoo is an immensely peaceful activity, restful, therapeutic, an opportunity for quiet contemplation. Just the sound of bird song, and the gentle activity calms me. Similarly, the gentle walk, and the natural sounds of the wind and birds settles the spirit.
As Gretchen Rubin writes in her Happiness Project, the endorphins generated during exercise help people think clearly. Even ten minutes of daylight stimulates production of serotonin and dopamine, brain chemicals that improve mood. And a ten minute walk clarifies thinking and boosts energy.
The rate of depression in the West has increased ten fold in two generations, partly because of the increased time spent indoors, and the light deprivation and sedentary hours.
And Scripture mentions the best source of energy. This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In returning and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength,” (Is. 30:15).
* * *
I have had a very busy fortnight—with some lovely things, a couple of parties, one of which I hosted, hosting people for lunch, coffee with others; and some stressful things, buying a motor home, which is out of our area of expertise, and a family member who is in a very bad mood!!
But there have been more positive than negative things (as there generally are in life!) Irene my 13 year old won two end-of-year prizes: one for Achievement (given to those with the highest marks in the year end exams) and one in a Speech Contest. She spoke on the importance and loveliness of chocolate!!—not on reading or exercise or healthy eating or any of the subjects I helpfully suggested.
Anyway, I am slightly off keel and stressed, so I guess I need to practice some of Antaeus’s stress reduction strategies—keep close to the earth, tidy up, garden, walk (and pray)!!
Read my new memoir: Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India (US) or UK.
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Lol! I live in Oxford, England, and don't appreciate the gloomy months. However, since we live in the country outside town, the dark days are less oppressive than when we lived in town.
My dream is a beach house in Cornwall–but it may remain a dream. I am in the process of buying a camper van (RV), so we can dash to the beach or mountains and sun when it gets too gloomy and rainy here for too long!
It's hard when you live in a part of the world that gets very little sun. We've had our first few days of sunshine in a while and despite the fact that it's already past-half-June, we have had a surprising number of cloudy, cold days here (in the Pacific Northwest of the US). March had 29 cloudy, rainy days. It amused me when we first moved here how people would fly out of their homes at the least peek of the sun, then race back in when the rain started pouring. I, instead, waited for a “nice sunny day” in order to plan and do outside stuff and I waited a really, really long time, months actually. Now I'm just like all those other people and race out whenever we see the faintest hint of the sun.