A red light has just appeared on my computer which seems to be telling me something about the battery. I am unsure what it means – and it’s making me nervous! I depend on my computer and am now worried about what will happen if it suddenly conks out. But in the grand scheme of things this is minor.
There is a lot of worry about at the moment – about work, money, lifestyle, school, college, health, body image. Every day the news seems to be a little more depressing or downright distressing – little wonder then that recent research tells us that in Britain anxiety and depression are on the increase.
Magazines and newspapers are trying to help by suggesting quick fix ways of busting stress. I have to hold my hands up and say that I’m not convinced by the ‘quick fix’. The miraculous aside, it seems that for something to be lasting, it is more likely to involve a journey that includes being gentle with oneself and with others, rather than something that is simply switched on and immediately successful.
Of course, ‘gentle journeying’ is easier said than done because it often involves trying to slow down and to live in the moment, rather than rushing and worrying about the future. Almost certainly there will be a few false starts. But we shouldn’t worry if this happens. Worrying saps our energy so that we feel unable to cope - and the thing we worry about often doesn’t actually happen (or when it does, it turns out not to be the monster it became in our minds). In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells us we should try not to do it. Worry can take our attention away from enjoying things that we can be thankful for – like food, clean water, beauty around us, people and friends we love, our home.
One way of dealing with anxiety is to engage with nature. Recently someone advised setting alarm clocks at 4.30 a.m., getting up and going to some woodland to hear the dawn chorus. Whether we go to the woods or listen from bed there IS something wonderfully relaxing about bird song at the start of the day. Walking in the countryside can also help. On May 17th, to mark Rogation Sunday, the churches are joining together to walk around the benefice – you’ll be very welcome. As a stress buster it will be a win, win event (and no computer will be needed).
Lydia Avery
