This is a picture I took from the boat on day two, Cuttyhunk, MA
I had a great time on the boat this summer. We went to Cuttyhunk, MA which is about 8 miles away from Westport, MA where we keep our boat. It’s nothing fancy but it lets Dave do his fishing and me catch some sun and sand. As I sit here on day two of our overnight stay I want to chat with you about something that I struggle with. May I be personal with you for a bit. My typical demeanor is very relaxed, go lucky happy person when I am in my own comfort zone. I enjoy everything life has to offer and I recognize that there is more to this world than me, myself and I.
I have been putting this overnight trip on hold for over A YEAR. I fought tooth and nail about going on the boat overnight because I knew I would be out of my comfort zone and being out of my comfort zone stresses me out. Does any of this sound like it could be you?
- I didn’t want to sleep in an unknown place.
- How were we going to eat?
- How was I going to stay in a itty bitty small confined space with another person for 48 hours??
What If I DIDN’T HAVE INTERNET/PHONE CONNECTION?
(side note: I love being electronic free but that week in particular my new massage therapists started her first week in the office and I needed to be available.)
Being outside of your comfort zone can make you loopy and for the first night I was loopy! I’m not going to lie, I was a bit too loopy. Complaining and being stressed out about all things I couldn’t control….like the air being so humid, weird bugs buzzing around me and my very much needed adult beverage.
For some of you this situation would be perfect, A DREAM even. We all have different worries and stressors. Letting them get the best of us is how stress compiles on top of each other and can get out of control. Make sure you are keeping your stressors in-check.
Day 2 was much different, I calmed down, accepted my surroundings and began to enjoy the beautiful seashore around me. The lapping of the water against the boat, local chatter about this type of boat and that type of engine, the two mile walk to breakfast and a friendly wave every hour to the passing boats became music to my ears.
“These people seem fine with all of this I guess I can too.” is what I said to myself. That is exactly what I did, I became fine with being uncomfortable and then all my stress went away.
Go ahead and tweet that:
Become comfortable with being uncomfortable is how to overcome stress.
Yes it was humid and sweaty. Yes we had to pay an arm and a leg for local wi-fi. Yes I had to take a shower in the ocean and be sticky with sea water. AND YES, I had to be confined in a small area with someone and be happy, chipper and stress free.
Guess what. It all worked it’s self out. All my stressing about the future of “what am I going to do if…” really had no place in my overnight boat stay.
Do you worry a lot? Do you over analyze, plan for the worst and plan again? If so I welcome you to try these three stress relief tips that helped me.
#1 Be OK with being uncomfortable.
Be OK to be in a space of uncertainty and even dread. Like me, you may find stress in unplanned events. Even though my two day stay was very planned by my fiance Dave, I myself was having less faith in myself than in him as a captain of the boat. He cooked, cleaned, planned, got us there and even found some really cool beaches to visit. Take some really stressful situations like talking with your boss, starting a new business venture, calling old clients, hiring your first employee and just DO IT. Make your point, wait for a response… answer it and move on.
#2 Meditate or Pray
I like doing both, I find that pray helps me through tough times even if I myself do not trust the outcome. Meditation is a great way to FEEL the calming effects of stillness. This is an amazing tool to use for relaxation and stress reduction.
#3 Get body work or a massage.
Massage therapy has been used for centuries to calm the body and quiet the mind. Another bonus of getting a massage is that you get the physical benefits of lowering your blood pressure, increasing circulation and reducing pain. You can go here to find out how to find a quality massage therapist in your area.
I hope this helped you and showed you that being alone in your stress is not helping anyone. Get out there and find someone you trust, let them know you are stressed out. Just a quick chat over tea or coffee can be a big help.
I’m thinking of you as I write this and work through my own stressors.
In good health,
