Stress
Stress arises when individuals can no longer manage the physical, mental, or emotional pressures of daily life, leading to feelings of illness and potential health problems. This occurs when stressors, which typically keep us motivated, become overwhelming. The body’s natural “fight or flight” response, involving hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, is meant to protect us in danger but can be harmful if constantly activated in our modern lives.
Managing stress effectively involves developing a more relaxed attitude towards life, which includes avoiding unnecessary stress, learning to handle unavoidable stress, and practicing relaxation techniques. This shift can help the body switch from a stress state to a more restful state, allowing for better digestion, cellular repair, and overall health. For those with chronic health conditions, such as Energy Limiting Conditions (ELCs), managing stress is particularly important to avoid additional strain on the body and to support healing and energy levels.
The key component to dealing with stress is to develop a more relaxed attitude to life, which is easier said than done. In simple terms this means:
- Avoiding undue stress where possible
- Learning how to deal with stressful situations that cannot be avoided
- Learning how to relax
Implementing a self-guided stress management program that combines practical solutions and relaxation techniques can be highly effective. Simple steps, such as taking a few minutes each day to practice relaxation, can significantly benefit health. Here are some basic stress-busting tips:
- Talk to your friends and family
- Keep a stress diary in which you use a one to five star scoring system to record a daily list of what makes you stressed over a period of a couple of weeks
- Learn how to delegate and share tasks
- Accept that there are things you won’t be able to change and things you will be able to change
- Cut down on alcohol, caffeine and smoking
- Be creative – take up a hobby
- Get a pet
- Sort out your breathing – stress can increase the rate at which you breathe, sometimes even causing hyperventilation
- Learn to relax
- Take some regular breaks during the day
- Regular exercise and fresh air will also help
- Sort out any sleep disturbances
- Learning a few simple thinking strategies
- Learn breathwork practices - We can learn how to change our breathing patterns to deliberately switch out of Fight or Flight and into 'Rest and Digest.'
- Learn how to practice Mindfulness - mindfulness is a set of simple tools that helps us to focus on the present moment. It has been shown in studies to help reduce stress.
When someone has an energy limiting condition, all sorts of stress and emotions may arise. Every-One have produced a podcast, hosted on Podbean, about Resilience through stress.
More information is available on the following websites: