Mental and emotional stress are responsible for most doctor visits and a great deal of health problems. Not only does dis-stress cause our bodies to respond with a flood of stress hormones that can damage our health over time, but it causes us to behave in unhealthy ways. When stressed, we are more likely to overeat, consume junk foods loaded with carbohydrates, drink alcohol or engage in unsafe behaviors.
We are likely to lapse into unhelpful automatic thought patterns when dis-stressed. This leads to negative emotions and behavior patterns we often regret. The usually controlled, safe driver yells, honks and swears at someone who made an innocent driving mistake. A woman who faithfully sticks with her eating plan downs a carton of ice cream in one sitting. The recovering alcoholic falls off the wagon. It happens to all of us.
Most of us are no strangers to mental stress. We are consumed with thoughts and worries about the past, present and future. We focus on financial problems, relationship troubles, unresolved old issues, job security and our health. Much of our self-talk is negative, controlling or fear-based. These habitual negative thoughts, and the beliefs they are rooted in, cause us to create feelings and emotions that are unpleasant. They cause us to limit our potential, make poor choices, and keep pushing forward when it's time to let go and relax.
Our distressing thought patterns generally keep us focused in the past or in the future. The brain constructs a scenario and acts as though it were real. As a result of the dis-stress that was triggered, stress hormones are released. Mental and physical reactions take place. Recreate the same vision enough and it becomes habitual and even addictive.
It's not always easy or possible to control situations that trigger stress. What you can control is your thoughts and your response. This takes commitment, patience with yourself, and practice.
The easiest and quickest way to interrupt the stress cycle so that you can calm yourself a bit and regain some perspective is to take a deep belly breath. Give this breath your full attention. Follow its path from your nose to your abdomen and back out your mouth. Feel it moving through you. This attention on your breath will focus you in the present and take your mind off your problem for a few seconds. It will interrupt the shallow breathing that leads to more stress and anxiety and will help calm your nervous system. Take two or three deep breaths if you can. You should feel an immediate shift and some relief. You'll be able to think more clearly. Try this technique even when you don't feel tense. You'll be amazed to see how much tension you released.
Although you may want to follow up with techniques that eliminate some of your stress triggers, the belly breath is a helpful technique to help you de-stress and feel better in the moment.
About this Author
Mental stress is just one part of the stress triangle. To hear more about physical and spiritual stress, and simple steps to help relieve them, Val invites you to claim your free DeStress for Health and Happiness audio.
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