LET'S GET SERIOUS ABOUT STRESS - PART 2
What are the different names and forms of what can become stress? Heartbreak, fear, anger, comparison, control… How does stress work in the body? I’d like you to think of yourself as a balance; as the balance of a load vs. the capacity for resistance of that load. On one side we have the weight of the load we carry with us, on the other side is the capacity of resistance to carry that load, The load is made up of our lives. We have our career, family, friends, social interactions, responsibilities, doubts and more importantly we have our inner struggles. When the load becomes heavier than our capacity to resist it, an imbalance is created that opens up the door to take the form of stress, It is then that physical symptoms appear. Symptoms that our body sends as information. That is when the body starts talking to us in the form of symptoms such as head ache, back ache, fever, stomach ache, anxiety ,insomnia, . . These symptoms are the information that tells us that our body is out of balance. That’s where it begins… and why it’s so important we listen to the body. It’s telling us that something is happening to create an imbalance. If this becomes a long term chronic imbalance then disease may start to develop. This why we need to get serious about stress.
LETS GET SERIOUS ABOUT STRESS
I believe it’s very important that we take the effect of stress seriously. It’s become such a buzz word, and almost a badge of honor for some, to say they’re stressed. The truth of the matter is that the mindset of that stress, will have, and is having, a huge toll on the body. Whether the stress is coming from outside circumstances such as family, work, or social interactions; or whether they are internally generated, the perception of our world as we know it will determine whether our body will be healthy or not. It is up tp us, what we do about it and how we manage our lives. It is up to us how we choose to extend ourselves to ourselves. What is our frame of mind in taking in the workings of those around us? What is our frame of mind when drama unfolds around us? What is our frame of mind when our own mental chatter turns negative and unkind on us? It’s important that we become aware of it and how it affects our minds and of course in turn, our bodies They are not separate. Let there be no mistake in that. One cannot function independently of the other. I will be talking about this for the next week. Please don’t take it lightly. It could be the one thing which can change the course of your health. It is the one thing which did in fact change the course of my health. I will be setting forth short segments to make them easier to digest and give you time to ponder them individually. I promise you will be glad you did and won’t be disappointed. Let’s help the nervous system calm down. Let’s help the body heal.
namaste-the ability to heal in me is the same ability to heal in you.
TODAY'S INTENTION
This is my sankalpa for today. It is the intention that was formed by my heart and my mind as what I need for today. I need to work on this and reign in the will to focus on bringing harmony to my mind and body through the process of that focus.. Setting an intention for our day is a very powerful tool. If we take a moment each morning to sit in silence and let our internal voice guide us in what our need for that day is, it will facilitate an alignment which will create well being. That alignment creates a sense of relaxation in the body and the mind. That alignment allows you to be your genuine self unconditionally. Accepting and loving who you are NOW.
CHOOSE WISELY
“We doubt our faith but we have deep faith in our doubts.”
“Doubt” and “Faith;” these words seem so simple but they are ever pervading throughout everything we do at all times. They are always present. In thinking or saying “I can’t” a new faith is created in that doubt. We create an environment that supports the doubt but doesn’t sustain us. There is no sense of certainty at any time, no sense of balance, and no sense of harmony because everything is permeated in doubt. If we could transcend that by becoming aware of the power the doubts have over us, we could move beyond doubt to stand in the faith and certainty. Let strength come from the faith, with the awareness of the doubts. The whole scenario can then change. Making faith in our healing, a part of everything we do, will shift our perspective, leading us to well being.
We have a choice as to which one is going to be what carries us through in our lives and our healing. Choose wisely.
WEEKLY MANTRA
This is how you slow down the nervous system. The body responds to that sense of ease that brings with it balance and harmony and serenity. By doing this you bring self love into the equation and compassion for yourself and this body you’ve been gifted. Enjoy… feel the difference.
IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN
Relaxation through breathing is key; relaxation of the body as well as the mind. One cannot be relaxed without the other being relaxed. In order for your body to heal, it needs to have total relaxation time, to give it the chance to heal. Unless the mind is relaxed, there will be tension in some part of the body. Ultimately relaxation of both is what needs to take place. It is in the relaxation that the healing happens.
BE KIND TO YOURSELF
An excerpt from “Transcending MS”
A stressed mind is a tired mind. A stressed mind has a difficult time absorbing and learning. A stressed mind passes the stress to the body and that is where the body may feel pain or get sick. Just as your body needs rest, so does the mind. Even when we are sleeping, our minds are busy dreaming and solving our days’ situations. However, if you give the mind a break from thought all together throughout your day, you will find benefits that are all encompassing to your mind and body.
This brings us to the all important part of yoga-meditation. Meditation addresses all these issues. You will be handed a road map to help you achieve a good meditation practice. Again, starting out at your ability and progressing as you practice. There is no room for comparison. Just know that your practice is yours alone, and your own experience. Your experience may be completely different from someone else’s, but that doesn’t make one better than the other. Some days will be better than others. That’s o.k., it’s all part of the experience. I assure you that you will be very pleasantly surprised by the results. Possibly ecstatic! I know I am.
All asanas, breathing practices and meditations will be split into levels. Depending on your physical abilities, you may progress faster in your breathing and meditation levels. That is ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. The progression of your breathing and meditation are what will aid in your physical recovery and if you have cognitive issues, your cognitive recovery as well.
One final note before we begin:
I want you to be aware of the things which make you feel good. I want you to be aware of those which don’t. I am talking about music, books, television, movies, people, etc… There is no room for negativity from here on out. If that means not watching the news, don’t watch the news. If that means saying “no” to people, please say “no”. Do not feel guilty. You are now in a state of recovery, healing and living. DO the things you WANT to do, not the things you SHOULD do. DO the things you have to do with gratitude, that you can do them. It means a shift in attitude. It means you have a whole new attitude toward life and the adventures which will be coming your way. Be kind and loving to others, but most importantly be kind to yourself. That includes surrounding yourself by people and an environment which support your shift to joy and hope.
It’s time to lose your fears. Fear is a paralyzing emotion. Fear is a negative emotion. Fear takes a very heavy toll on your body. I won’t go into the medical aspects of it-you can research it if you are curious. Just know that it is very important for your well being to drop your fear. Fear of what might happen if… what might happen when… what has happened in the past and your guilt about it… there is no room for that anymore. What will happen, will happen, what has happened has happened, and no amount of worrying will help. BUT if you take life and run with it and try to give it your all, you will be LIVING. BELIEVE you can get better, and then you can leave the fears behind. Let joy fill your heart and every cell in your body. Find new adventures that fit your circumstances right now.
Have you always wanted to paint? Then do it. You think you don’t have talent? How do you know? Try it! What do you have to lose? You might be pleasantly surprised at how much fun putting paint on paper or canvass can be. How about if you try learning to play the piano or the guitar or maybe learning another language? The point is, try new things to stimulate your body, your brain and your spirit. The key is to start using parts of your brain which you have never used. Lift your spirit in ways you have never lifted it. Love yourself and others in a way you have never loved before.
Now let’s begin the journey to recovery together. I will be with you every step of the way…