Despite the fact that we have recently elected the coolest president ever, and that there is a far greater chance of seeing our future world much more like the world I have always wanted because of Barack Obams’s influence on us all, our world remains a stressful place. I imagine that lately you have watched your stress go from somewhat abstract (e.g. terrorism in Pakistan) to incredibly concrete, meaning right inside your wallet, as the economy seizes. The consequences are varied depending on your situation but my clients are expressing a lot of fear these last few weeks.
When stress becomes chronic, with days, weeks and months of unrelenting pressure, our bodies shift into the fight-flight attitude to be prepared for danger. The damage can go beyond a bad mood. Robert Sapolsky, professor of biological sciences at Stanford University and an authority on stress, states, “In fight-or-flight, your body turns off all the long-term building and repair projects. Constant high livels of cortisol take your body’s eye of the ball. Memory and accuracy are both impaired. Patrols for invaders aren’t sent out, you tire more easily.” You can imagine where this can lead to over several years.
Within the BodyMind Toolbox are some tools relating to stress management that may be of some help. My own background has been in the use of stress management as a means to boost health and reduce pain, but these pointers can be used for absolutely any stressors acting as obstacles in your path to wellbeing. Though there are many ways to approach reducing stress in the body such as breathing, meditation, exercise and psychotherapy, today I want to simply explain a fundamental chemical shift that you will be able to learn and apply easily and successfully any time you feel the need.
The chemical oxytocin, “the bonding hormone”, is maybe best known for the way it influences the mother-baby bond. When a mother holds and cares for her baby, oxytocin is released into her system, strengthening the feelings of love and protection. In other forms of touch, such as massage, the same hormone may be secreted which, then, triggers the release of DHEA, and anti-ageing, anti-stress hormone that influences cellular restoration in the body. All good news.
Bringing conscious focus to experiencing appreciation or gratitude for aspects of your life can speed healing and positively affect your immunity. Dr. Rollin McCraty of the HeartMath Institute is studying the link between emotions and physical health. What he has found is that appreciation, contentment and love all trigger oxytocin. “This is a bonding hormone secreted by the heart whenever you feel open and connected,” he says. “It switches off stress by causing the nervous system to relax.”
The HeartMath system, designed to trigger this inner shift, is a simple three-step process you can try right now for a mini-retreat, right there in your chair by your computer. Find a way to sit loosely and comfortably and try this on: (The following is excerpted from HeartMath literature.)
1. Heart Focus
The first step is to focus your attention in the area around your heart. You can place your hand over your heart to help.
2. Heart Breathing
The second step is to pretend you are breathing through your heart area. Breathe slowly and gently (to a count of 5 or 6) until your breathing feels smooth and balanced. Do this for about one minute and notice any changes.
3. Heart Feeling
The third step involves positive feeling and attitudes. Continue to breathe through the area of your heart and find a positive feeling, like appreciation for someone or something. You can recall a time when you felt appreciation or care and re-experience that feeling. It could be for a pet, a special place in nature, or an activity that was fun. Once you have found a positive feeling—sustain this feeling by continuing heart focus, heart breathing and heart feeling.
Once you have completed the steps, ask yourself, “How can I handle _______ better?” With practice, you’ll find you have more intuitive choices or options for what you might do next—even in the middle of a challenging or high-pressure situation.
My personal experience with this technique has been positive. Though it can be difficult to release the grip of fear or anger at any moment, I find that holding to a commitment to regain positivity gets me there within minutes and moves me to a place of hope and sweetness.
I hope this helps.
