title: To soothe the savage breast.
abstract: We review quite a range of procedures--some strange, some familiar--to calm, and spare fantasied harm. Drugs can help a whole bunch, but there is no 'free lunch.' Side-effects from long use, and the risk of abuse, make it wiser to find other means to 'unwind.' (Anxious folks spin a messful of thoughts that are stressful.) Against pressures that fluster, tranquil images muster a sense one is resting--rather than testing how much one achieves (while one's family grieves). Muscle programs to lower tense states, and pace slower, can bring manifold gains easing worry and pains. There are diverse connections among muscle flexions--however those function--that can serve as an unction. Movements practiced each night do more good than the 'right' exercises in theory, left undone by the weary. Thus give choice of routines as well as calm scenes: one might dodge heart attacks if one learns to relax. It will not cheer one's mood to review woes nor brood over future collusions, intrusions, confusions, perfection, rejection and other delusions. Like over-tight shoe points, loosen Puritan viewpoints because standards too stern make adrenaline burn. Teach instead: 'Mellow visions need not earn derisions. People who play more are invited to stay more.' Massages and dancing, gentle fiction entrancing or dulcet harmonics are suitable tonics. For self-damaging actions bring on wholesome distractions. There are so many names for so many games, from social adventures to buying debentures, trip-planning, food-canning and even gold-panning. Thus cease surplus panting but cultivate planting since turmoil may go when one makes flowers grow, or elsewhere embraces Nature's several faces: oceans, rivers, or canyons, mountains, redwoods or banyans, or (thanks to some vets), peaceful contacts with pets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Tennessee, College of Medicine, Memphis 38105.
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001143:Arousal; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011340:Problem Solving; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*