Key Health Tip: Just Breathe Now and Then

By Sandy Schroeder

If you are like me, when you are dealing with a major problem, you wade right in and go all out to solve it. However, there is one problem with that. Sometimes, you simply need to take a breath here and there and go on living while you are working on the problem. Some projects stretch on and on and everything else will suffer if you don't take time to appreciate all of the other parts of your life. 

How This Works Out

A dear friend of mine knew me well and noticed how often I clung to a problem making it my sole focus. One day he simply sat me down and gave a short lecture on the need to keep my balance when I had a problem. He knew that when something was really bugging me, I would let it dominate my world.  

At that moment I had just moved to a new place and it was not turning out as well as I had hoped. Soon I was obsessing over its deficiencies and spending almost all of my time looking for a different spot.  While this was going on, I was putting many other things on hold in an effort to solve this problem. 

As it turned out, it took much longer than I expected to find the right solution, which I eventually did. Meanwhile, I let a lot of other people and issues slide as they all took a backseat. They all suffered, and so did I, until I woke up, thanks to my friend's lecture. I started paying more attention to everything and life definitely improved. 

How Things Got Better

I don't think the location solution was slowed down by my change of attitude. If anything, it may have benefitted as I became more balanced in my thinking. I calmed down and reached out to my friends and family to talk about everything. I also spent a little time each day walking to the park and meditating. Life got richer and better and I learned a valuable lesson. When life hits you with a problem, remember to pause for a moment and just breathe. 

What You May Be Missing? 

If you can relate, as you pound away on one big issue after another, take a moment and consider what you might be missing. 

• A child's hopeful smile when he repeats a question 
• Your dog's wagging tail as he waits by the door for a walk 
• Too many leisurely dinners that became hit-or-miss meals 
• Special times for coffee or lunch with dear friends 

Count your blessings and remember to just breathe now and then. 

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Jose, Calif.