Easy Does It
Countless bumper stickers proclaim “Easy Does It.” Does this mean all those drivers want me to apply my brakes? Maybe. Recently I have found out it means a bit more.
During my last routine doctor’s visit I complained of my heart rate always being too high when I checked my blood pressure and pulse every morning. It had been hovering too close to 100 to suit me….especially since I take it early in the morning after a good night’s sleep when I should be rested and relaxed.
To appreciate the full context of this dialogue between myself and my physician, you need to realize I have taught mental health nursing for over thirty years at a variety of universities. Imagine how taken aback I was when my doctor suggested I was experiencing anxiety. My immediate reply was, “but I am not afraid of anything.” To make matters worse, she then suggested I was having some sort of panic episodes. I very assertively declared that I had seen panic reactions and I was definitely not having something of that sort.
Next, my doctor wanted to prescribe an anxiety medication to lower my heart rate. The prescription read, “take as needed.” The pharmacist that filled it asked if my doctor said how often to take it. I said no, but that I had often, as a nurse, given it to patients approximately 4-6 hours between doses usually 2-4 times a day. I further told the pharmacist I didn’t plan on taking it more than once every week or so, if that often.
Now, back in the day, I would have welcomed this prescription with glee. But the part of me that knows about recovery knows this particular type of medication is one of the most addictive medications on the market. Knowing that, I still took one dose, rationalizing my doctor knew best and that I did need to get my heart rate down. The one dose worked. I was in a fog for a couple of days, and the bottle of pills has been tucked away in a hard to reach, rarely accessed area of a top shelf ever since. Surprisingly, I hated the way that one pill made me feel.
My doctor did give me some good advice though. She said to sit still for a couple of minutes and to take a couple of deep breaths before I check my heart rate and blood pressure. Since I’ve followed that advice, my heart rate has been in the 70s and 80s (a much healthier place).
What does this have to do with “easy does it”? I learned that even though I have helped countless others relax I need to do so myself even though I was not aware of needing to do so. This has triggered an “easy does it” paradigm shift in my approach to life. I have been filling my semi-retirement with a volunteer schedule that kept me as busy if not more busy than when I was working full time. I still have and honor a lot of volunteer responsibilities, but I am aware of doing so in a much more relaxed manner. Several times a day I make myself sit still and relax my mind and my body. My perception of feeling driven, of pushing to get everything done has given way to a much more relaxed feeling of just letting things happen. Cutting my daily coffee intake from 8-12 cups a day to 4-5 cups a day has helped tremendously. I knew caffeine was contributing to my higher heart rate, but, until now, I just was not willing to alter that particular addictive behavior.
So, when I see one of those bumper stickers now, I know, for me, it means take a deep breath, relax, and realize that God is doing for me what I cannot do for myself, that my life is truly in God’s hands, and I might as well slow down and take time to enjoy this gift of life God has given me.
Looking forward to reading your thoughts on this one. 🙂
Living One Day at a Time 
Anxiety: I never wanted to admit that I had/have anxiety. But true is I have good reason to have it. Moving 600 miles away from my home of 60 years or more and living with relatives causes anxiety. I love my family who helped me do this but am still settling in, learning how I fit in to my family’s dynamics, their way of doing things and being able to help, but not controlling anyone else. So I need the reminders “Easy does it,” and “Let go and let God.” No control—–but God is in control! How easy is that! I need to remember this and get out of His way.
I can empathize. It was hard for me to consider that maybe I do have some anxiety. I am sure being in the hospital and almost dying at least 4 times in the last 3 years or so has made me more anxious on a daily basis than I like to admit! Thank you so much for sharing. I hope things will get better for you. Major moves are always full of so many changes….and that, for me, is what always made me feel a bit crazy. When I get to my core issue regarding change, it is always “lack of control.” Must remind myself being in control is not a realistic expectation. Have been reminding myself for decades—-you’d think I’d get it!
See page 61 of “As Bill Sees It” for an explanation of fear-induced fight or flight responses to reality.
I guess p. 417 of the AA Big Book gives a more sane response. – Oliver
Profound post, helping me to realize I don’t know EVERYTHING, that I could indeed be experiencing panic or stress or a number of dis-eases I “surely could not be.” My vacation last week has given over to a full week of 12 hour night shifts this week, but I learned one of my stressors is the computer & smart phone, always being connected. I don’t know where this realization will lead me, but I do know I’m choosing to not worry about responding or acting immediately (well, except on behalf of the dogs).
One of my dogs is dying, which distresses me but when I, too, sit still, breathe, and let God be, I know this lovely old dog has finally known love, even for a short time.
I am sorry to hear about your dog dying, and I am so glad you have been there to let the dog know love. I can think of no better teacher. I think the “connected” bit can be very stressful. I’ve spent way too many hours trying to figure out how to manage this blog as well as the Red Door Facebook site. But I have decided both avenues are important ones because I can do them at my own speed and, hopefully, communicate what is really spiritually important. It is much easier to feel less stress now that I am partially retired. I don’t think I could handle even one 12 hr. shift. They were getting to be a big challenge for me even back in the early 1990s. Thanks so much for your comments!
And, yes, nurses can feel stress/anxiety too. I know that is what the research says. I just never accepted it for myself until now.