Nurse Audrey’s Stress Relief Blog

Last July I wrote about an interesting lady that I had met at a hostel. There is really nothing unusual about meeting someone more “experienced” than you at a hostel, but there was something interesting and special about Kathryn.

A year ago when I met her, on the sidewalk outside the hostel, she was talking about her stay in the hostel. Most hostels have dorm rooms with a few private rooms for those preferring some privacy. I asked her where she laid her head at night, expecting her to say that it was in a private room…I was surprised to hear that she preferred to stay with the “young people.”

Being a nurse, I observed her physique; she was slight of build and walked erect with an air of elegance about her. Later, as we parted there was a determination and a spring in her step as she kept pace with those much younger than she.

This year, as I was walking down the same street, there was Kathryn again walking with the same determined gait, having the same infectious smile, and displaying the same air of elegance. I asked her what type of a room she had chosen this year and again received the same answer, “I stay with the young people because I enjoy them!”

Kathryn looks and acts younger than her years. Hanging around young people has certainly made her feel younger, it often does for most of us if we keep our energy up and follow what interests and inspires us most.

We all want to get the most out of our life years and each of us must find our own way to do this. But we can certainly take some tips from Kathryn:

• think young
• act young
• stay young

Until next time this is “Nurse Audrey’ signing off

There is a place in my backyard where I sit and observe the interesting behaviors of the various birds in our neighborhood. Living in the city does not afford us a great variety of birds, but the sparrows, robins, blue jays, crows and magpies are prevalent.

We have a birdbath located in the back yard which many of them frequent, the larger ones for their drink and the smaller ones for their drink and daily bath.

It is interesting to watch as the smaller ones first light on the fence, looking in all directions, and only when none of the larger birds can be seen do they enter the bath. They splash around, flap their wings making sure all their feathers are wet, and then fly to the fence for some serious preening. The sparrows and robins obviously know that should the larger birds be in the vicinity, they must defer to them.

I am finding that my daily dose of bird watching has a positive effect on my stress level. When I am completely engaged in the birds’ activities, there is no room for disturbing thoughts or anxiety. When I see these beautiful creatures hop around in the sanctuary of my backyard and pick up bits of morsels to eat, my thoughts go back to the scriptures that tell us that God both cares for and feeds these little birds. I have found that as I muse on these incidents during the day, they afford me small escapes that calm me and I become more focused.  

Finding a quiet place to observe nature is an excellent way to escape from our daily pressures, a way that will ultimately rejuvenate us and add serenity and balance to our lives.

Until next time, this is “Nurse Audrey” signing off!

Happy Canada Day…July 1st and to our American friends, Happy Independence Day on July 4th.

Many of us take time off to celebrate special events that are planned for these days, or take time out to relax with family and friends. It is also a great time to get alone and reconnect with our “inner self.” In these busy and challenging days, sometimes we forger how valuable this reconnection can be in bringing balance and harmony to our lives.

Summer is also a good time to enjoy the simple things of life like camping, picnicking, or attending special events in our parks. There are many ways we can enjoy life and bring back the fun and excitement we once experienced as children; all it takes is a little imagination, planning, and effort.

Last week we took our 10 and 14 year old grandsons to a picnic event held at Fort Edmonton Park. We were reminded by a staff worker that some scenes from the movie, The Assassination of Jessie James were filmed here. We rode in the old steam engine train where the hold up was filmed and reveled in the thought that Brad Pitt may have occupied the very seat in which we now sat. Later, we took a ride with others in the horse drawn wagon, and then topped off the evening with a ride on an original street car – just like in the olden days.

In a corner of the park is located an old fashioned playground with swings, teeter totters and simple merry-go-rounds. What fun we had on the equipment playing with our grandsons, imagining ourselves being young once again. With creative imagination, I could almost hear the excited laughter of my old schoolmates as we played together in the schoolyard. Interestingly enough, as the evening wore on, my weariness disappeared because my inner child was refreshed as I relived memories of days gone by.

It brought to me how important and powerful the laws of the mind can be. How by transforming our thoughts we can transform our feelings and minds as well.

Tell me, what you have done recently that allowed you to release your playful inner child.

Until next time, this is “Nurse Audrey” signing off