Taking time to breathe

Stress, page 2
by maxine glass

But spirituality doesn’t have to include religious prayer, it can be as simple as deep breathing, providing that it results in an inner peace. Carnabucci says stress release may be enjoying a warm bath or have a cup of relaxing tea. She believes that relieving stress can be a natural process. “My emphasis when I work with people about stress is to explore how they can relieve stress in healthy ways,” she says. As a proponent of holistic healing and a founder of “Companions in Healing”—a holistic center in Racine, clients seek her out for therapy about various work-related stresses because traditional techniques have failed.

For such people who go to bed each night wishing for extra hours in the day, the opportunity to experience a release is especially appealing. Beamon finds she feels most rejuvenated after singing and participating in church. Speaking genuinely with deference and enthusiasm, Beamon says that her frequent visits to church give her a sense of purpose. Her laundry list of commitments and positions in the church is both admirable and exhausting. “Ever since I’ve been in church I’ve done activities,” she says. She was a student herself in the choirs and Sunday School, both of which she taught for a period of time. She also helps out in the church office when they’re short-staffed and works on the church wedding ministry to assist couples in preparation for their wedding.

And while it may stress some people just listening to Beamon’s responsibilities, being active in her church is part of her spiritual release. Many young professionals may look incredulously at Beamon’s schedule as they find it hard to make time for spirituality when they barely have time to sleep. The general consensus across religious and spiritual leaders and young professionals alike is that all it takes is a little prioritizing. “I think you’ve got to make time for it. If you make the time, you will be surprised about the welcome benefits,” says Rev. Darryl Williams of St. Mark’s, where Beamon attends services. He believes young professionals need to take time to “sharpen the soul,” a biblical term that refers to pausing for renewal and prayer instead of grinding away at a “dull soul.”

Biatch, however, takes a more pragmatic approach with an acute recognition of today’s young professionals. He states that people need to schedule their worship time into their PDAs. He thinks that it is essential to book one’s free time to ensure that everything gets done. Carnabucci agrees that creating an agenda or keeping a diary can be an excellent way to manage time and keep everything under control. But she warns against over-committing oneself as well. She advises clients to “pick and choose what you enjoy doing and what is enough for your schedule.”

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frazzled: On the verge of hysteria? Try prioritizing your tasks and take advantage of your spare minutes.
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