Stress is defined as pressure or tension applied to a material object. Life is the pressure. We are the material object. Whether it’s navigating the big stuff like lifestyle and job changes, or just sitting in traffic, or waiting in line, stress can be a constant nag.
Below are a few ideas to weave into your daily life to help you live life with more finesse and fewer symptoms of stress.
1) Review your landscape of stress: analyze which stressors you can do something about, and which you cannot. For those that can be changed, make adjustments to help you achieve the goals. For those that cannot be changed, modify your relationship or expectations of the stressor - surrender to it, find acceptance, and in doing so, find peace.
2) Check your negative thoughts - stress is largely a result of fear, based on imagination. Examine your negative thoughts and flip them to positive thinking. Changing your attitude changes your experience of life.
3) Make self care a priority - whether it’s a warm bath with magnesium, yoga asana stretches, a belly laugh or deep cry - let it out. Take a tea break or nature walk, find time to unplug and enjoy the gift being alive.
4) Meditate - I know I know - but it only takes 3 minutes to start your practice! The Mind likes to roam - I’m asked most often ‘how do I slow down my thoughts!?’ Yoga science reminds us that the natural state of mind is a peaceful flow of stillness, free from imagination and remembering. In order to take the Mind back under voluntary control, we simply begin with a few slow, complete, diaphragmatic breaths (coming from the belly), shaping a smooth, even flow with no pauses. Now we can relax more deeply and observe the gentle, slow, natural flow of breath for 3 minutes. If your Mind begins to wander, bring it back - that’s the practice! As you gain more experience as a meditation practitioner, you may be given a mantra by a qualified teacher, or a personal practice specific to your goals at this phase of your life.
5) Lean into the benefits of Plant Medicine - rub oil on the soles of your feet and top of your head at night. If you tend to run cold, try Banyon Botanicals Brahmi Oil with a sesame base. If you run hot, use Brahmi in a coconut base. Try Nasya- a nasal oil with herbs to help soothe your dry sinuses and ground your scattered mind.
