10-03-2023 1:53pm

Coping

Christine Larkin Editor

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SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - COPING

Coping at 60 and beyond can be challenging at times. Navigating difficult situations at this age requires focus, fortitude, and skills. Circumstances can change in a New York minute. We've all seen this happen. Coping with emotions means recognizing emotions within us and others and being aware of how emotions influence behavior. We should be able to respond to emotions appropriately. Intense emotions like anger or sadness can have negative effects on our health if we do not respond appropriately. We must do a self-check to make sure we're able to cope well. There are plenty of ways to help ourselves.

We've all heard about the benefits of meditation and deep breathing. It's not just rhetoric, it's fact. These modalities can assist in bringing us to a calm place. Meditation activates our bodies' “rest-and-digest” functions, which counteracts our “flight-or-fight” responses. Integrating the practice into a daily routine has been linked to lower heart rate and blood pressure, which may lower your risk of heart disease. Meditating for a few minutes each day can do wonders for your coping skills.

Another great coping skill builder is yoga. Yoga can help reduce stress because it promotes relaxation, which is the natural opposite of stress. Yoga can benefit three aspects of ourselves that are often affected by stress: our body, mind, and breathing. You don't have to wait to feel stressed out to do yoga. There are yoga studios everywhere now. Take a look in your own neighborhood or ask a friend to recommend a yoga studio that they like. You are sure to benefit in many ways from this ancient practice.

Another great way to reduce stress and cope well is to walk. Whether it's around your neighborhood, in a park, or on the beach, get outside and move. This is easy on the body and it's great for the mind. Walk this way!

I think one of the greatest ways to reduce stress when you're coping with a difficult situation is to take a warm bath. Go ahead and light some candles and incense. Ah, I feel better already, don't you? Don't have a tub? Take a long, hot shower, but make sure no one needs the bathroom.

There are many difficult situations that we are faced with as we age. Our own well-being and the well-being of our loved ones is a work in progress. In order to navigate any trying time in life, we must make sure that we are in good shape - mind, body, and soul. If we are not, then we will not be of good assistance to others. You are the most important person in your life. When you are feeling good, you will be in a much better position to helps those in need. Coping is something we can all get better at. It's a skill like anything else. Don't give up hope when it's time to cope.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, our lives are full of challenges. We must be in a good position to cope with changes that can happen at any moment.

SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - CEDAR BEACH BLUES FESTIVAL in PORT JEFFERSON

A good way to cope is listening to great music. It makes us feel good and reduces stress. This Saturday, October 7th from 12:00pm to 7:00pm, come on down the Harborfront Park in Port Jefferson for the Cedar Beach Blues Festival. The name is where the festival originally began. The location has changed over the years from this north shore beach, but the name is the same. There will be a bunch of great local artists that will take your blues away.

Harborfront Park, 101A E Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY.

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"The blues is celebration, because when you take sorrow and turn it into music, you transform it."

- Odetta Holmes - Folk, Blues, Spirituals (1930–2008)

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SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What's one of your coping mechanisms? Please put your answer in the Reply section below. I'd love to hear from you.

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SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - STILL GOT THE BLUES by GARY MORE

LYRICS

Used to be so easy to give my heart away
But I found out the hard way
There's a price you have to pay
I found out that love was no friend of mine
I should have known time after time

So long, it was so long ago
But I've still got the blues for you

Used to be so easy to fall in love again
But I found out the hard way
It's a road that leads to pain
I found that love was more than just a game
You're playin' to win, but you lose just the same

So long, it was so long ago
But I've still got the blues for you

So many years since I've seen your face
Here in my heart, there's an empty space
Where you used to be

So long, it was so long ago
But I've still got the blues for you

Though the days come and go
There is one thing I know
I've still got the blues for you

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SKYLARK LIVE VLOG - 60 AND BEYOND WITH SKYLARK - COPING

ABOUT SKYLARK LIVE AND HOW TO FOLLOW ME

My brand, Skylark Live, consists of a weekly newsletter, Skylark Live Town News, a monthly vlog, 60 and Beyond with Skylark, and monthly in-person chats called The Skylark Sessions. They are all designed to inspire and motivate women to thrive in older age through knowledge and self-awareness at 60 and beyond. Andiamo! Let's go!

Skylark Live Town News - My weekly newsletter features articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, motivation, music, places I've been to, and ideas I want to explore. I represent Bay Shore and towns beyond. There is also a calendar of events. And, I throw in Italian words because I love the language and all things Italian. Bella Italia! As a paying subscriber, you will receive my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. That gives you a head's up. You can also advertise your business or event on my newsletter. Just click the link below to subscribe.

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The Skylark Sessions: The Skylark Sessions are on the last Sunday of each month. These are in-person chats in a round-table format and are open to mature women of any age. There is a new topic for each session. I moderate, but this is an open conversation. I will post the date, time, topic, and location on my social media sites as well as on my Patreon account. There is a $5 cash donation per session. You can RSVP at christineskylark@aol.com.

60 and Beyond with Skylark Vlog - This is my first Monday-of-the month vlog that is inspirational and motivational and is a reflection of what I've written about in my newsletters throughout the month and what we've talked about in my Skylark Sessions. My vlog is recorded and posted on my YouTube Channel, as well as on my Patreon account and my social media sites. Click the link below to subscribe.

Support me on Patreon - This is where you can support my brand for $5 a month. This enables me to carve out time to write my newslettters, create my vlogs, and coordinate my Skylark Sessions. Just click the link below.

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Thank you for your love and support. Apprezza la giornata. Cherish the day.