DEFLAME:
Remedies for anxiety caused by incendiary rhetoric
No matter what age, our balance (whether physical, mental, emotional or spiritual) is significantly affected by strong emotion, especially anxiety and fear. One classic case for someone older is the fear that having a fall generates. We become afraid that we will fall again. And in fact, being fearful of falling is one of the primary CAUSES of falls. But fear affects us at every age and it especially affects whether we make good decisions or not. Another classic case is the result of panic during a stock market swoon. Fear causes us to make the wrong decisions.
In the past several years political talk in the United States and elsewhere has taken an often inflammatory approach when discussing issues. One clear indication is the inability of either side to listen to the other. Emotion ratchets up from response to response till we are in effect constantly yelling at each other with no result other than raising the decibels. These effects are especially felt in the open environment of the Internet. This adds a great deal of stress to our lives and that stress is not beneficial for health.
Whether we believe strongly in these things or not, we are nonetheless affected by the environment of fear and anxiety that accompanies these discussions. The inflammatory nature of this discourse generates fear. Fear has a destabilizing effect. The more fearful, no matter the cause, the worse our balance and the more likely that we have a fall. The more fearful, the more likely that we will make poor decisions.
In the past several years political talk in the United States and elsewhere has taken an often inflammatory approach when discussing issues. One clear indication is the inability of either side to listen to the other. Emotion ratchets up from response to response till we are in effect constantly yelling at each other with no result other than raising the decibels. These effects are especially felt in the open environment of the Internet. This adds a great deal of stress to our lives and that stress is not beneficial for health.
Whether we believe strongly in these things or not, we are nonetheless affected by the environment of fear and anxiety that accompanies these discussions. The inflammatory nature of this discourse generates fear. Fear has a destabilizing effect. The more fearful, no matter the cause, the worse our balance and the more likely that we have a fall. The more fearful, the more likely that we will make poor decisions.
Inflammatory: arousing or intending to arouse angry or violent feelings.
Deflame (a new word): reducing the incendiary effect of inflammatory rhetoric by breathing deeply and grounding yourself.
Helpful Framing:
- Think of incendiary rhetoric as inflammation of the thought processes. We know much about physical inflammation and what increases or reduces it. Reduce the effects of inflammatory talk by taking steps to reduce mental inflammation.
- Incendiary rhetoric is usually enveloped in an environment of rushing. Rushing to judge. Rushing to resolve. Rushing to beat the opponent. Rushing is a bad idea unless you are rushing out of a burning house. Slow down and take your time.
- Deepen your contact to the earth. We become ungrounded, less connected to logic and reason. This is one reason why breathing deeply can be so effective. Being ungrounded causes us to get more easily distracted which in turn makes it a lot more likely that we will have a fall.
- During this process, passion affects logical analysis. Fear especially is an extremely poor base upon which to make decisions. Inflammatory rhetoric too can cause us to make the wrong choices.
- The combination of misplaced passion, rushing and being less grounded makes thoughtful contemplation difficult at a time when we especially need it. Breathing slowly and deeply helps immensely with brain function tasked with resolving issues.
How can you reduce mental inflammation?
1) Ground yourself:
- Get outdoors. Walk barefoot if you can. Feel the earth. Sit on the earth. Be in nature.
- Pay attention to your feet. Give yourself a foot massage (see Foot Help For Those Older for a great one). Take a foot bath.
- Improve your balance through balance exercise.
- Improve your eye/balance coordination.
- Sing, practice vocal exercises.
- Eat grounding foods: potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, ginger, avocado, mango, papaya, grapes, olives, berries, coconuts, figs, melons, green beans, egg plant, and yams.
- Distance yourself from your TV, computer and smart phone.
Above all, breathe consciously and deeply. Take a few breaths before responding to incendiary talk.
|
For more detailed information on how to ground yourself click on the button to the right:
|
2) Reduce the level of inflammation in your body and in your mind:
- Reduce stress: there are many stress reduction techniques including the practice of yoga, Tai Chi and structured meditation.
- Drink lots of water.
- Exercise: one of the very best ways to reduce inflammation.
- Practice deep breathing, especially helpful with "mental inflammation".
- Use topical anti-inflammatories like ice, arnica montana, Topricin, arthritis creams to reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Eat a diet high in anti-inflammatories.
- Limit the use of processed and refined foods.
- Get enough sleep.
- Develop a positive mental attitude.
For more on how to reduce inflammation, including recommendations about anti-inflammatory foods, spices and supplements please read the linked article below. Also included is an analysis of the differences between antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, with important advice for those suffering from cancer.
Recently published featured articles on stress reduction include wonderful tips for releasing stress, in particular the tension that can often reside in the jaw and face.
How can you reduce the anxiety that inflammatory rhetoric causes?
Breathe deeply. Slow down. Ground yourself.
Deflame!
Published June, 2015
Updated November 1, 2020
Updated November 1, 2020