Popcorn Stress
‘Tis the season for trees with lights, jolliness and good food. Then why is it that we get so stressed out? I was working in the kitchen when some popcorn kernels literally jumped out at me and fell to the floor! It occurred to me that this time of year, for many, is like the popcorn kernels I was about to consume. Each kernel could be an issue or situation in our life, and if the temperature is just right, that kernel has the potential to pop into a chaotic white puff! Each kernel will look different when it has popped, and so does each kernel of our stress. Anxiety, fatigue, shopping lists, decorations… I could go on forever! So what do we do? We create lists to keep our shopping to a minimum, organize specific dates and times to see friends and family, and fall exhausted into bed each night.
What happened to us?
How many times have you looked into the air-popper popcorn maker and been scared by that first kernel that pops unexpectedly, even though you’re waiting for it? Yeah, it’s happened to me too! Every time, the same thing, and every December, the same thing!
Preparing ourselves for stressors or bouts of anxiety can help, like NOT watching the popcorn pop, or taking that oh, so welcoming bubble-bath your sore muscles have been needing! Some people even shop early – I can’t shop too early, I never know what to buy! But recognizing that we leave ourselves out of the scheduling and lists of the holidays is half the battle. If I can schedule two hours of shopping and standing in line-ups, I’m pretty sure I can put in an hour for a nice bowl of warm popcorn, while sitting cuddled under a blanket on the couch!
