Mental Tonic
Reduce Stress
Photo by Lucas Pezeta, Pexels.com
Stress, often viewed only negatively, is best defined as the way the body responds to any demand.
This response is nonspecific; meaning, for example, that one can break out in a sweat regardless of the stressor—be it a kiss, a game of checkers, an attacking lion, or a broken finger.
Pleasant stress, desired stress, or curative stress from exercise all cause low levels of uncertainty. This type of “good stress” is called “eustress.”
Unpleasant stress, such as that which occurs from trying to meet an impossible deadline, is the result of frustration—the cumulative effect of the many difficulties and annoyances of everyday living. Such unwanted stress is called “distress.”
The body’s mechanism for handling stress has three stages (each not totally distinct, more like a spectrum): alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. These stages are taxing. The most effective intervention for stress reduction is the clarification of values and goals; followed in order of effectiveness by high performance nutrition with vitamin and mineral supplements, effective relaxation; self-affirming communication; and exercise.
The top ranking stress reducer—goals and values clarification—is explainable in three ways:
It promotes inner peace, self-acceptance, and balance.
Having a clear sense of priorities helps one use stress energy efficiently; and
It helps one deal with a high degree of uncertainty.
For those suffering from stress, the solution is clear: the first priority is to make a priority list. The second priority is to eat properly. The third priority is to relax effectively. The fourth priority is the use of self-affirming communication skills. The fifth priority is exercise.
To The Reduction Of Tension…
HumaNatureConnect Activity
Reducing Stress
For this activity, practice living life more fully. This activity will help you become joyfully mindful. Ask the questions that follow to your chosen natural object but do not expect to be able to answer the questions immediately. Just ask for permission to ponder these questions on site in nature; immerse yourself in the qualities of the natural being and its natural surroundings; use one or more of your natural senses; think of your chosen being as an emissary carrying the wisdom of nature to you after granting you its consent to have this connection experience by remaining attractive; resonate with the underlying tone or rhythm you feel in your heart as you sit, stand, or lie next to your chosen natural being; allow the questions to be processed (answered) in the natural realm of your unconscious mind overnight; after a night’s sleep, return to this activity, and write out your answers. Doing so allows the intelligence of nature to silently (or perhaps in your dreams) work its magic on you so that you can then write out answers that are not too mental, piously heady, or tainted by fluctuating social pressures or willy-nilly moods. For the following set of activities, inspired by a book by Jacquelyn Ferguson (2010), do each part, one at a time.
Part One: Scan each part of your body, one at a time, to see if you are holding any stress anywhere. If so, let that part of your body write in your journal what it needs to relieve its stress.
Part Two: Make a list of complaints. Write down who you complain to, when you are most likely to complain, why you choose a particular person to complain to, what you may be avoiding by doing nothing about your grievance, what is gained by doing nothing, and three alternative responses to your grievance other than complaining.
Part Three: Pick one of your complaints and exaggerate to the point of ridiculousness. Then consider what a comedian would say about your grievance.
Part Four: Answer the following: “As I lie on my deathbed I wish I had done more__________.”
List three things that you which you had done to make you smile.
List three things that you wish you had done to touch your heart.
List two activities that you previously enjoyed but have since stopped doing.
