By Peggy Sue McRae, Journal contributor

Is tax season giving you anxiety? Does the daily news leave a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach? What about that thing you did 30 years ago that you have never forgiven yourself for? There is always plenty to worry about. Experiencing stress may be inevitable, but having some coping skills can help limit the impact of stress on our lives.

I had cause recently to review the Serenity Prayer, a prayer that asks for the strength to accept what can’t be changed, the courage to change what can and the wisdom to know the difference. I had a morning medical appointment in Bellingham that required taking the early ferry. This already had my basic stress levels humming. When my good friend, support person and driver called me the night before to let me know that she’d mistakenly neglected to make a reservation, there were no reservations available, but that it would probably be fine if we just got to the dock a little early, the uncertainty pushed my stress levels up a few notches. If I missed this appointment, I would have to reschedule, pushing back multiple appointments, including heart surgery. There was a lot at stake for me getting on that boat.

In that place of uncertainty between “accepting what I can’t change” and “changing what I can,” I was not willing to accept even the possibility of missing that ferry! It was already nighttime. What could I possibly do? On the verge of having a conniption fit, I emailed all four of my sisters and asked them each to pray that we would get on that boat. Whatever you may think about divine intervention, this immediately gave me A) something proactive to do and B) immediate support from a core support group. My sister Betty sent me this: “You got this. I’m praying may all the cars be small ones.” That made me laugh and we did get on the boat.

All the healthy things – exercise, eating right, sleeping right and hydrating keep us more resilient when faced with stress. When stress does strike, what can we do in the moment to calm our minds and bodies? Here are just a few suggestions.

Long slow exhale – It helps to have a yoga teacher as a best friend to remind me to breathe. Take a deep breath. Exhale slowly. Repeat. Your breath is always with you, so this technique is always available. Having a regular yoga practice will give you more tools to access when needed. Chair Yoga & Balance Classes taught by Katerina Wen are currently being offered via Zoom to Mullis Center members.

Activate support – Call a friend. Describing what is happening to someone you trust can help calm the intensity of a stressful situation. If you have a prayer or support group, contact them. The Mullis Senior Center is a valuable and supportive resource. Sign up for the Mullis Center Weekly E-Update at www.mulliscenter.org to stay current.

If your stress is overwhelming or doesn’t go away, be sure to get some real help.

Compass Health: Offers mental health, chemical dependency and psychiatric services. Counseling services are available for seniors covered by Medicaid/Provider One. Contacxt them at 360-378-2669 or www.compasshealth.org.

24-hour crisis line: 800-584-3578. Available 24 hours/365 days per year for anyone experiencing a self-defined mental health crisis. Friends or family of someone in crisis may also call.

988: Easy-to-remember number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.