Sound Off: How they give stress the slip

Here's some good news for Seniority readers. It seems not many of you are stressed out. Or it could it be that not many of you know how to destress. Either way, I heard from a few of you who didn't mind sharing your recipes for relaxation, as well as some interesting comments. Don't forget to Sound Off on this month's issue on seniors and driving. P.S. Kaye, thanks for the invitation. I might take you up on your offer to hit the high seas.

-- Sheila Reed

My recipe for stress reduction may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it definitely soothes, firms and refreshes my body as well as my soul. At least three times a week, I head to the ice rink; several wonderful facilities dot our Suncoast.

I lace up my skates and glide across the smooth white surface. Peace of mind is an immediate reaction, bringing with it feelings of youthfulness, strength and freedom. These are added attractions when one is over 60!

The elevated serotonin remains with me for many hours; by the time it begins to wear off, a short jaunt to the rink is all I need to renew the effect. The ice is waiting, as well as wonderful friends who share my love for the most graceful of all sports. We laugh with one another, share our secrets of the perfect three turn or the elusive mohawk and refuse to allow age to weaken our resolve to continue learning the beautiful theory of skating.

Stress will always be a part of our busy lives; skating, for me, will always relieve its symptoms.

Norma McCulliss, 66, Palm Harbor

Being asked how I destress can sometimes cause me distress. Not really, but it does bother me that, perhaps, we spend too much time and energy on how to cope and give too little thought to how we might remove the reason(s) for the stress. There seems to be the accepted assumption that stress is an integral part of our lives and we must simply learn to live with it; that can be distressing and depressing.

Though it's true that some really aggravating situations are beyond our control, most of our stress is caused by the way we treat each other. Think about it. Some of us would rather criticize than compliment. Often, we can be impolite, insensitive and inconsiderate toward each other. We can injure with words, slander with rumor, even insult with a finger, for heaven's sake, and cause each other stress. Yet at the same time, we can "kill with kindness," be "generous to a fault," have "hearts filled with compassion" and bring serenity to each other. We are amazing creatures.

Life is short. Life is precious. Life is not fair. But life can at least be peaceful if we follow the advice of Christ, who said:"Love one another."

It is not easy but is guaranteed to prevent stress.

Jack Bray, 71, Dunedin

When I get up and feel I can't possibly accomplish tasks I have on my shoulders, I look out at my boat, check the wind and the sky, and take off for a cruise on the bay. Sometimes I catch up with some dolphins and follow them for a while, but just being out on the water alone with the wind, the waves and the sky gets me settled down. I have about six other remedies, but that is my favorite.

Kaye Halter, 72, Clearwater

- Please send your responses, no more than 250 words, to Sound Off, c/o Seniority editor Sheila Reed, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. Or e-mail sreed@sptimes.com. Please include your name, age, place of residence and a phone number (it will not be published) at which you can be reached if we need to talk with you.

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