Is underlying stress sucking the joy out of life? 3 quick ways to find relief…
Even a low lying chronic stress like uncertainty of the future created by current politics can wear at us, switching on our stress response system where we can get stuck.
The stress response externally manifests in the form of fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. Without relief, we can get stuck in one or more of these patterns, making it harder to accomplish daily activities while stresses race in the back of our minds. These are examples of what that can look like in day to day life:
• FIGHT – easily agitated, finding it difficult not to snap about even small things, or feel constantly defensive.
• FLIGHT – restlessness, impulse to rush around and do “just one more thing”, difficulty sitting still and just being.
• FREEZE – difficulty finding motivation, feeling “locked” inside yourself, requiring more energy than it seems it should to get simple tasks done.
• FAWN – feeling a heightened need to try extra hard to do what’s asked, “follow the rules”, sacrifice, or please someone specific or society in general, in order to get ones needs met.
Getting stuck in one of these chronic stress patterns makes every-day tasks more challenging and takes a toll physically, mentally, and emotionally. We may feel disconnected, even from parts of ourselves.
We need to break the cycle to find rest, relief, healing and to be able to more effectively live and enjoy our lives. Even temporary relief can be very beneficial. Here are 3 simple ways to help:
1 – Breathe. There are three different parts of the brain all responsible for different muscle functions. The only function they all have in common is breathing. If we can control our breath we can bring our body in balance. Simulating a simple sleeping breath style can calm us in as little as 3 breaths. To do this, breathe out twice as slowly as you breathe in for as many times as you need to, or try two quick breaths in followed by a long exhale, like you would after a good cry to calm the nervous system.
2 – Ground. Our entire system: brain, heart, muscles, nerves etc. runs on electricity, which needs to have an effective ground. We are designed to do that naturally through our bare feet. We can ground by putting our bare feet in the grass or the sand, or by using a special mat or sheet made for grounding. To ground naturally, simply slip off your shoes and sit in a comfy chair out back with your feet on the ground. If it’s cold bundle up, or use a warm shower inside. The water helps conduct electricity and it will ground as it goes down the metal plumbing pipes. Even just 10 minutes can be very beneficial.
3 – Be here. Take a moment, 5 to 10 minutes if you can, to simply be exactly where you are IN your body. Allow yourself to feel temperature, air, pressure underneath where you rest, all the sensations of being alive. Try to appreciate your body’s strength, comfort, and loyalty as it has stuck with you and worked hard for you your entire life. Notice beauty close around you. Allowing the things that bother you to remain far.