Quietude and Healing Time

May 14, 2010

By Linda T. Gottlieb, MA, CPT, CET

qui·e·tude (n)

”the state of being quiet; tranquility; calmness; stillness”

I have been thinking of this word a lot lately.  Doesn’t it just seem that we are running all the time?  When did we get this way?  I recall my childhood when we meandered through the park on a sunny afternoon, not power walked; strolled the aisles of the department store, not made a beeline to the register only to sprint to the next errand…YIKES!

Taking some time to just “be” is important for us all, but it’s even more important in a healing time.  After the flu, and injury or your latest cancer treatment, taking some quiet healing time is not only physically important, but mentally critical, too.

For those of you who are used to the Run, Jane (or John), Run! Lifestyle, taking time out to just sit and watch a sunset, follow the progress of a butterfly through your garden or admiring the intensity in your grandson as he draws a picture might seem insignificant.  It’s not.

The act of being quiet is a lost art, reclaim it for yourself and you might just find that your attitude is better, and your stress is diminished.

Here are three healthy ways to engage in quietude (I’d love to hear about more ways you find!):

·         Take a solitary walk, barefoot, in the sand or on a grassy area.  Make it a Zen, or mindful walk.  Feel the dampness of the solid ground under your feet and revel in the brilliance of your body knowing all the intricate instructions that help you move yourself forward.  Don’t rush; be very present.  Smell the air, feel the breeze on your cheek and let the world’s pressures melt off your shoulders.

·         Light a candle, turn down the lights, and play some soft reassuring music in the background.  Sit comfortably and close your eyes.  Begin relaxing your toes, your feet, your calves, every muscle up your legs and all the muscles in between as you move toward your head.  Deep breathing can help cleanse your mind and renew your spirit.

·         Engage in a form of passive exercise.  Simple stretches, yoga postures or ballet positions might help remind you of a time when your mind and body worked together to support your awesome life.  Reintroduce that partnership and invite healing in.

Final thoughts: Healing can be hard work.  Taking time to look within, seeking quietude and space to set aside busy-ness can help this important activity seem less like work, and more like a gift.  Enjoy it.

Site Map