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Coping with tension

By Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin
All Rights Reserved
How to cope with tension
We cope with tension with:
1. Self-care
2. Anticipating problems
3. Practicing mindfulness
4. Self-awareness
5. Faith.
We feel tension from various sources daily. It sometimes feels inexorable and persistent, more if it comes from external sources you cannot control.
But control it we must, as it destroys relationships. More dangerously, it impairs the mind.
Dealing with it is a matter of balance, much like walking on a tightrope. It involves self-care and planning ahead.
Below is a little sonnet on negotiating the tightropes of tense feelings that overstretch from time to time.

Mind's Tightrope
Veins in the mind, lines strung and taught,
Toes tread soft on fragile strings:
Taught and sharp, now overwrought
Walk infirm, uneven swing
Dealing with tension
Mind's taught frame, about to burst,
Tiptoe forth with sense acute;
Brow drenched in sweat, mouth parched with thirst,
On rigid lines try to commute

With eyes ahead, and then on self
Then do forward pace;
With even keel and watch on health,
And Faith's releasing grace.
How do you deal with tension?
For strained lines, we do prepare
Lest these stiff veins, they do ensnare.
Other articles by Michelle Liew
- Developing the undervalued art of true empathy
On developing empathy in ourselves and haiku on empathy. - The dangers of disrespect and overcoming its consequ...
On the dangers of disrespect, coming out of its darkness and a trillinea poem. - A tribute to our imaginary friends, Peace, Wealth an...
A poetic tribute to peace, wealth and happiness - Embracing the creative wonder of solitude:an inspira...
A tritina poem on why it is good to be alone - Writing a Cinquain poem
How to write a Cinquain - What makes a person beautiful:nurturing beauty's tru...
On what makes a person truly beautiful - Hands up for poetry
Let's celebrate National Poetry Month. - When the creature named hunger devours, an inspirati...
A musette on the driving force of hunger. - Appreciating the rustic charm of the Singaporean co...
Blurb: On coffee shops in Singapore and a little sonnet. - Have room in your mind: An Inspirational Poem
A poem of appreciation for the little things in life. - The Rogue Wave, a sonnet on overcoming loneliness an...
On overcoming feelings of loneliness and the discomfort of being in crowds. - What makes a person beautiful:nurturing beauty's tru...
On what makes a person truly beautiful
Comments
I'm a deep thinker, innately sensitive and habitually worry on stuff that they said, I shouldn't sweat about but I'm learning to take it easy and so far, so good. Self care and faith are very important.
Great, valuable hub. Beautiful lines. Voted up and sharing.
This is very helpful!
Thank you for the hub so nicely made. I cope with tension by listening to relaxing music and doing pranayama, a type of breathing exercise which can help all to fight tension.
Very nicely done hub on tension, which we cannot escape in our daily life. But the important thing is to manage it so it does not harm you.
Thanks, voted up and shared on HP!
I am still cross with myself that I still allow myself to become tense. Of course being cross makes me even more tense. I'm a born worrier! Breathing, walking, and exercise all help.
Beautifully written. I used to have a lot of tension in the past but nowadays I'm more relaxed.
Great words form you and so much of thought put into this hub.
I'm not as tense as I used to be. I'm mostly positive and take breaks often. Stretching while on the floor keeps my muscles from tensing up. Thanks for such a good hub. Sharing.
I live with tension daily. Most of the time, it is from the constant drive to help others with the time and talents I have. In some small way, I want to help make the world a better place. Sometimes, I just have to close my eyes, and visual the top of my head opening up and all of the things I am thinking about flying away in the wind. Then, I can relax for a while!
I hate to say this, but I only forget my worries and woes by working. Writing also works, because it distracts my senses away from problems. Great poem!
Love your suggestions for a tense-free life. When I do feel stressed, I find thinking positive and prayer works well. This post is a keeper!
Excelente midget. You are a gifted poet and as Billybuc said, this is an important topic. The image that the top of your hub is powerful and effective in revealing tension at its most acute and prepares us for what's ahead. Nice job.
Well done an excellent read, thank you. Jamie
A good topic for many. Nicely done. I'm happy to report I don't have tension in my life, but when I do have it, I let it go....but it took years to learn how to do that.
Quite timely and beautiful article. God bless you, Michelle.
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