The last few weeks have been extremely stressful. I am not sure why exactly
just that maybe summer hit and my family never knows how or when to stop?
Lately, I have been thinking it is time to slow down and with the weekend upon
us it is time to take action.
For a family that is constantly stressed
and going, it is difficult to know just how to relieve that stress and slow
down. I know it sounds bizarre, but somehow your body gets used to the going and
going and going mode until you just can't be relaxed.
I teach toddlers
two days a week. Toddlers are odd creatures. I love them, but they are so right
to the point. They live with no fears of what people think. They say what they
want to say. They do what they want to do.
They want a toy - they grab
it.
They want to talk-they tell all the family secrets.
They get
upset- they throw their self down on the floor and kick and scream.
There
is no thinking, just action. I noticed something yesterday that I have witnessed
for years, but never really realized.
When toddlers are happy-they dance!
They not only dance, but they mix it in with a little laughing and spinning!
What a life-to be able to just dance and twirl right in the middle of the
day.
Yesterday, it felt as if our room was completely out of control.
Kids were throwing toys. This boy was pushing this girl. Shoes were being taken
off. Kids were screaming and running around the room.
We decided it was
enough so we took the kids outside to paint the wall and do sidewalk chalk.
Paint the wall is the best invention I have ever found out about. Toddlers love
it. You take a pail of water and a paintbrush and let them go paint. The water
turns the wall darker and they are playing in water so pure happiness
results.
I noticed that one of the little girls was dancing as she
painted. With the biggest grin, she would paint the wall and shake it at the
same time. I couldn't help but to crack up! How carefree is that to be going
about your work and dancing at the same time. How funny it would be to just be
in your office setting and start dancing.
My family has found dancing to
be the ultimate stress reliever. I am not sure if it is the exercise or the
sight of us dancing because believe me-it is a sight. It isn't long though until
the big belly laughs come and the stress has floated away.
My husband can
not show any rhythm. So his silliness even when he is trying to dance for real
makes us all giddy. My son has followed in the tradition with a crazy signature
dance of his own that sort of reminds me of the walk like an Egyptian craze in
the 80's. My daughter doesn't have a chance as I watch her try to be funny as
well. The point is in the privacy of our house, we dance. We relieve stress and
relax. Why can't we do that everywhere in life? Perhaps it is the fear of being
admitted to the mental hospital. Perhaps there is a chance of being arrested (so
the case with my husbands dancing ). Whatever the reason, how awesome would it be if we
just stopped in every situation and danced?
I recently saw this video and it portrays it better than anything I could
ever write. Enjoy!
» left by Dianne Lehmann(2,587) Dianne Lehmann (56 days 17 hours ago.)
Laura, thank you so much for what you wrote and for the video. You are right and why shouldn't we learn from our little ones. I used to "dance" at my various jobs until I was questioned and ribbed about it one too many times. Mostly it would just be a pirouette with my hands over my head or a little hop and skip, but it always made me feel better. Sometimes it was an expression of how I was feeling. What's wrong with that? Spread the joy! Dance when you feel like it. Thanks again, Dianne
» left by Laura Trahan (56 days 17 hours ago.)
Awesome Dianne! Good job having the nerve to dance! I am completely impressed and if I worked with you, I think I would join in or at the very least clap! Thanks so much for commenting! Hearing your story, brightened my day!
» left by sue thom from nj (56 days 16 hours ago.)
hi laura, your article was well written and interesting, but your idea to include the best video i have ever watched in 52 years (i have 3 kids remember, so there have been many) was brilliant! what a great reminder of what people have been saying for generations, "dance relieves stress" however, mine might bring it on:) i have never seen anything on youtube, although aware of it, thanks for sharing it with me.
damn that was good! i was smiling the whole time (another stress reliever, the heck with the wrinkles:)
best regards to you,
sue
» left by Teresa Ortiz(5,015) Teresa Ortiz (54 days 17 hours ago.)
Hi Laura, I could picture that little girl and it made me smile. Thanks for the reminder. I do dance in my chair and work quite often, especially if I feel myself getting uptight. I don't get the Christian station in my office, so I listen to the 80's station. Lots of fun and great opportunities to dance. I do have a confession to make, You have me wanting to see your hubby "bust the move". Have a great week. It has been so crazy around here for the past two weeks and won't slow down until August sometime. I think I better purpose to dance more often.
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). Whatever the reason, how awesome would it be if we
just stopped in every situation and danced?
