We learn more and more every day about the effects of stress on our whole being. Stress affects our health, our productivity and-of course-our quality of life. Ironically, the more stressed we are, the more likely we can be to move away from the very things that would help us. We might think we don't have enough time or we don't slow down enough to notice opportunities to let go or to see things from a different perspective.
Our bodies themselves offer us just that. Unlike our racing minds, our bodies live in the present moment. When we connect to them-through our breath, through exercise, through even a stretch after a meeting or at our desks-they bring us into the moment, and offer us a chance to remember what's really important. Here are a few tips to help you use your body when stress hits-to get through it and even strive.
1)Listen
Your body is communicating with you all the time. The noise your mind makes can often feel like static that gets in the way. But if you make a commitment to tuning into your body, it will tell you what it needs: a breath, a drink of water, a nap, some movement or exercise. Listening moment to moment to our bodies and what they need allows us to mitigate the effects of stress and tells us, on a deep level, that no matter what happens we still care for and respect ourselves.
2)Understand Stress as Your Thoughts About Things
Stress is created by the interpretations we create around what's happening: e.g. if I don't get this done my boss will fire me; if I can't get to the meeting on time, everyone will judge me. The truth is, that when we let go of our overthinking mind and just allow things to be as they are, we are able to move from a much freer and less pressured space.
Your body doesn't live in the world of interpretations. It just feels things and moves through them. Let yourself make contact with the part of you that doesn't need to overthink. Let feelings and emotions come through your body without judging or acting on them and you'll notice a huge change in how you're holding yourself in each situation.
3)Work With Your Body Instead of Against It
Many of us interpret stress as the body's assault against us, or as an inconvenience. We don't want to have to deal with a racing heart or a throbbing headache. But the truth is that our body is trying to tell us something, to get us to come into the moment with it, reconnect to what's important, and let go of our pressured interpretations of reality.
When your body responds with symptoms of stress, see if you can drop into your body and see your symptoms as a call to what you really most need. If you have a headache, drink some water or take a break. If your heart is racing, use that as a cue to take a few breaths and envision a more peaceful place until you can feel your body respond. Your body's symptoms can take you toward what you most need when you attend to them rather than ignoring them.
Stress is certainly a state of mind, but it doesn't have to be a state of the body. By using these simple awarenesses, you can connect to your body in a way that helps you step out of your own way, and back into the simple-and non-stressed-reality of the present.
Author Resource:-
Anna Stookey is a psychotherapist & bodymind coach who helps people move into their highest vision of health and wellness by partnering with their bodies rather than working against them. Ongoing blog at: bodyreunion.blogspot.com or sign on to the website:
bodymindguide.com
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