I am now 87. I have been practicing much of the wisdom in your very worthwhile article since I was about 67, I rarely experience feelings of stress these days.
Kate, this made my day to read. Twenty years of putting that wisdom into practice is huge — and “rarely stressed” at 87 is seriously inspiring. Thanks for sharing this here; I think a lot of people needed to hear it.
This was such a wonderful article. It expressed exactly how I felt the last few years with going to so many doctor appointments. I always felt shamed after each visit. But now I’m going to fight that. I have the right to live the way I want to live. They never talk about stress. I call it white coat hypertension. Ha!
Linda — thank you for saying this. And I’m really sorry you’ve been carrying that shame after appointments.
You’re 100% right to push back on it: you deserve care that’s respectful, practical, and centered on your life—not judgment. Also “white coat hypertension” is real- same happens with my mom. If you can, it may help to track a few calm, at-home readings and bring them in so the conversation is based on your real numbers.
Literally sitting here in our favorite chairs having coffee and I just said to my 60ish hubby “Maybe you need to see a therapist to deal with this stress. What was bothering you yesterday is still lingering.” He thought I was kidding. I’m not.
Super relevant & helpful. I was familiar with various practices & know there is benefit but resist doing them now, over 60. This article explains how somatic exercise works & how to make it super simple & doable, 'whether you believe it or not! Thank you.
That makes a lot of sense. Aging brings real changes, but it also brings clarity about what’s worth our energy. I love how you said you wouldn’t want to go back — that says a lot.
I "disciplined" myself to do things in the past & I need a different approach now, no longer able to just push myself. Your article gave me a way to look at trying things more as something I want to do, not "have" to do, if that makes sense. In addition to significant physical changes, aging has brought psychological & emotional shifts for me. I like how you said something to the effect of aging not being inevitably just difficult, going downhill. Regardless of challenges, I wouldn't want to go back!
Thanks for posting. Good article! For years I have know that I am stressed when my shoulders inch up toward my ears. The breathing exercise is excellent as I was only deep breathing. Not the 4 - 2 - 6, where there is a hold and then longer exhale.
A practice at night when I go to bed is repeating Psalm 4:8.
I will lie down in peace, to take my rest.
For you, only, Lord make me dwell in safety.
I think about this word peace. In English we do not get the full measure of what the Hebrew word shalom conveys. It means to have an overriding sense of well being in our bodies, emotions and spirits. As I think on this I am able to leave off the mind chatter and take my rest.
Cynthia, I love how practical this is — noticing your shoulders as a stress signal is such a good cue to catch it early.
Psalm 4:8 is a beautiful nighttime anchor too. The way you describe shalom—whole-body well-being, not just “quiet”—is exactly it. Thanks for sharing what actually helps you settle the mind chatter and rest.
I appreciate the pushback. My intent wasn’t to normalize preventable stress or turn systemic gaps into “just deal with it” — it was to name the invisible load and push for more support, better options, and real change.
If there’s a better way you’d phrase it (or specific stressors you think are most preventable), please tell me — I’m open to better ways to frame this.
I am now 87. I have been practicing much of the wisdom in your very worthwhile article since I was about 67, I rarely experience feelings of stress these days.
Kate, this made my day to read. Twenty years of putting that wisdom into practice is huge — and “rarely stressed” at 87 is seriously inspiring. Thanks for sharing this here; I think a lot of people needed to hear it.
God is your strength Kate
This was such a wonderful article. It expressed exactly how I felt the last few years with going to so many doctor appointments. I always felt shamed after each visit. But now I’m going to fight that. I have the right to live the way I want to live. They never talk about stress. I call it white coat hypertension. Ha!
Linda — thank you for saying this. And I’m really sorry you’ve been carrying that shame after appointments.
You’re 100% right to push back on it: you deserve care that’s respectful, practical, and centered on your life—not judgment. Also “white coat hypertension” is real- same happens with my mom. If you can, it may help to track a few calm, at-home readings and bring them in so the conversation is based on your real numbers.
Appreciate you sharing this here.
Thank you….. for words that fit my insides at 69.
We so easily forget about the "breath" ... just run around breathing shallow all the time. Thanks for the reminder!
Thank you, Kate. You have no idea how much I needed this article today.
Felt like 3 articles in one :) but you’ve named the tension in later life . Thanks for this. I hope it makes folks relax into it a bit more
Literally sitting here in our favorite chairs having coffee and I just said to my 60ish hubby “Maybe you need to see a therapist to deal with this stress. What was bothering you yesterday is still lingering.” He thought I was kidding. I’m not.
Totally get it. Sometimes it’s not “just stress” if it’s still hanging around the next day — talking to someone can really help. ❤️
Super relevant & helpful. I was familiar with various practices & know there is benefit but resist doing them now, over 60. This article explains how somatic exercise works & how to make it super simple & doable, 'whether you believe it or not! Thank you.
That makes a lot of sense. Aging brings real changes, but it also brings clarity about what’s worth our energy. I love how you said you wouldn’t want to go back — that says a lot.
Thank you — I’m glad you like the article. Just curious, why do you find it harder to do them after 60?
I "disciplined" myself to do things in the past & I need a different approach now, no longer able to just push myself. Your article gave me a way to look at trying things more as something I want to do, not "have" to do, if that makes sense. In addition to significant physical changes, aging has brought psychological & emotional shifts for me. I like how you said something to the effect of aging not being inevitably just difficult, going downhill. Regardless of challenges, I wouldn't want to go back!
Paid for booklet. How do I access it?
Hi Ann. You should have received an email, can you please double-check?
I received it. It was in junk! I’ve started reading it and am so impressed. I feel understood. Thank you!!
So happy to hear this, thank you for the feedback!
Thanks for posting. Good article! For years I have know that I am stressed when my shoulders inch up toward my ears. The breathing exercise is excellent as I was only deep breathing. Not the 4 - 2 - 6, where there is a hold and then longer exhale.
A practice at night when I go to bed is repeating Psalm 4:8.
I will lie down in peace, to take my rest.
For you, only, Lord make me dwell in safety.
I think about this word peace. In English we do not get the full measure of what the Hebrew word shalom conveys. It means to have an overriding sense of well being in our bodies, emotions and spirits. As I think on this I am able to leave off the mind chatter and take my rest.
Cynthia, I love how practical this is — noticing your shoulders as a stress signal is such a good cue to catch it early.
Psalm 4:8 is a beautiful nighttime anchor too. The way you describe shalom—whole-body well-being, not just “quiet”—is exactly it. Thanks for sharing what actually helps you settle the mind chatter and rest.
Yes breath work and dark screen you tube sleep videos esp soffagio 532 369 theta beta. And what really helps is a small dose beta blocker at 8 pm
Hi Ann. You should have received an email, can you please double-check?
I appreciate the pushback. My intent wasn’t to normalize preventable stress or turn systemic gaps into “just deal with it” — it was to name the invisible load and push for more support, better options, and real change.
If there’s a better way you’d phrase it (or specific stressors you think are most preventable), please tell me — I’m open to better ways to frame this.