March can be an unpredictable month, not only with the weather conditions but also our moods.
Last week Old Man Winter has reminded us that the anticipated spring is not here, just yet. This week once again we were in winter conditions. I am sure our farmers are enjoying all the moisture the snow brings, if we do not receive gale force winds, sending all that moisture into the tree lines.
The snow is also great for the persons that blow snow in oil leases, as the past several years, there was very little white stuff to keep them busy.
Two years ago, March once again proved to be a month with uncontrolled conditions. It would be our last week of normal. At the time, I was working in a grocery store, and I had no idea what was happening in the world. Panic overtook many people, loading shopping carts with our much-needed supplies, cleaning off the shelves in fear of nothing remaining.
Months later, mask where to be worn in public and lockdowns began to flatten the curve. These lockdowns were to slow down the virus, but it created a lot of depression and anxiety in many.
On Feb. 28, our mask mandates were lifted. How did this one act affect us? Did it cause more fear, as now we seem to be naked going into a store, or was it a large relief?
For myself, it was a great relief. Not because I am against masks, not at all, it is that I have hearing loss. I am completely deaf in my left ear and have only 70 per cent left in my right ear. I no longer could read lips, and everything had a muffled sound with a mask on.
We needed to stay six feet away, so getting close to someone to hear them was also impossible. This mandate attributed a great deal to my anxiety. How did I cope? I began to not have conversations when I was out and about, unless I really knew the person.
I prayed that people would not talk to me, and if they did, I would nod and quickly walk away as it was the simplest thing to do. I am a very outgoing person, I love to chat with others, but this one act changed me. My anxiety went through the roof. It seems fitting that this is a health and wellness special, as we have a lot of healing to do to overcome the past two years. The struggles are real for many people.
At home it was much different. I can only speak on how things helped me to control my heart pounding in my chest. We, as a family, began to play the game Uno. We have our own crazy messed up rules, nevertheless, it occupied the mind and the laughter was real when our daughter would once again win. How she does it, we are still trying to figure this out.
One simple act has given so much satisfaction and help control my anxiety.
Playing music is another great way to enjoy the day. I play upbeat music when I feel an attack coming on. I will sing along and even start dancing. Truck dancing is the best, and my daughter seems to think I am crazy, but the end result is to control my attacks and it works.
Three things my family doctor said to do, when I feel the starting of an attack. Five things you can see, do not just look at them, but really observe them. Check out all the detail of the item. Five things you can smell, oh some smells are so pleasant and some are not. Yet it’s amazing on what you can smell if you set your mind to it. Lastly, five things you can hear. Oh, how there are so many wonderful sounds around us. This one is the most important to me and I practise this one regularly.
Go out into the world with a smile today and tomorrow and always. That smile could enlighten someone’s day. The saying “have a good one” may be the only kind words someone hears today. We never know what battles our fellow humans are having, so be kind and be the wellness that someone may need.
