Ever wondered if we can predict and curb stress or even build a stress toolkit? The answer is a resounding yes—100%.
Why read this?
While gearing up for a meditation session, I realized my stress management skills needed an upgrade. I sought a magic solution, but our resident therapist and co-founder AT clarified that stress elimination magic doesn't exist.
In our insightful interview, AT shared these crucial insights:
Step 1: Embrace stress as a positive force.
Step 2: Mastering Stress Flow States & Our Nervous System.
Step 3: Intervene, Then Proactively Prevent Stress.
Step 4: Equip yourself with personalized stress-prevention strategies.
Thanks for exploring,
Karmen
Step 1: Embrace Stress as a Positive Force
The first crucial step involves acknowledging stress as an inherent aspect of life. Surprisingly, stress can be beneficial, fueling our day-to-day activities and fostering long-term growth and resilience. However, a key condition applies: we must corral and manage stress effectively.
Understanding stress hinges on our perception, relationship, and the delicate balance between good and bad stress. The former propels us forward, providing purpose and meaning, while the latter impedes progress, leading to exhaustion and illness.
Step 2: Mastering Stress Flow States & Our Nervous System
Now that acceptance is established, the second step focuses on awareness. A grasp of stress basics enables us to proactively manage its impact and foresee its arrival.
Our body's stress response, designed to detect and react to stressors in the environment, operates through two flow states:
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External Stress Flow State: Stress enters our bodies from the environment, triggers our reactions, and flows out after we eliminate the stressor. For instance, encountering a bear in the wild or facing a disagreement with a loved one.
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Internal Stress Flow State: Stress is internally generated, perceived by the body, and leads to reactions. However, struggling to eliminate the self-generated stressor results in stress flowing into the environment. For example, stressful scenarios created during work meetings or interactions with colleagues.
Read more about stress in here: Stress Definition - WHO
Remarkably, we maintain control over stress. The 'Everything a Bear?' scenario, where our body reacts disproportionately to minor stressors, is a reminder of the importance of effective stress management. In this state, our body treats the smallest stressor as if facing a threatening bear, highlighting the need for proactive stress control.
Navigating stress involves mastering the interplay between acceptance, understanding, and active control. By doing so, we empower ourselves to respond to stress in a way that fosters growth and resilience.
Contrary to common belief, most people assume they lack control over their nervous system. Let's demystify this perception by exploring the relationship between breath and control.
We've discussed the inhale as the gas pedal and exhale as the brake—an essential analogy in understanding nervous system control. Realizing that you possess the ability to influence your nervous system is akin to grabbing hold of the steering wheel.
Now, envision taking your body for a drive, analogous to navigating a vehicle. When driving, we meticulously scan the external environment and the road, anticipating turns, potential danger, pedestrians, and more. This external awareness mirrors our focus on the world outside our control, often inducing fear due to its unpredictable nature.
However, just as we pay attention to the road's internal dashboard—monitoring speed, fuel levels, and warning lights—we can apply the same principle to our internal systems. While the external environment may be uncertain, our internal dashboard is within our control.
By shifting attention inward, we gain mastery over stressful situations. Focusing on our internal systems allows us to anticipate stress, dealing with it proactively before it reaches overwhelming levels. It's akin to taking the wheel and navigating the twists and turns of life with confidence.
Step 3: Intervene, Then Proactively Prevent Stress
In the face of stressful moments, there are universally reliable strategies we can all turn to for immediate intervention. Ready for a quick stress reset?
Immediate Intervention Tactics:
- Breath Awareness: Slow down the exhale to deactivate your body's stress response.
- Physical Movement: Feeling stuck? Get up, step outside, take a walk, and look up. Physical activity can break the stress cycle.
Progress Starts with Acceptance:
Acknowledging stress is the first step towards intervention and prevention. Shift your mindset from being a stressed-out individual to recognizing that you are experiencing a stressful situation.
Key Questions for Identifying and Preparing for Stress:
- Sleep Patterns: How am I sleeping?
- Physical Activity: When did I last take a walk?
- Stress Documentation: When did I last jot down my stressors?
- Hydration and Nutrition: Am I drinking enough water? What have I been eating?
- Planning: Do I have a plan for today and tomorrow?
- Medication Consistency: Have I been consistent with my medications?
- Self-Talk: How am I speaking to myself?
- Interpersonal Communication: How am I communicating with others?
- Coping Mechanisms: Am I relying on escapes like video games, alcohol, or drugs?
- Social Connections: When did I last connect with a friend?
Making these questions a habit empowers us to identify stress sources, both conscious and subconscious, and proactively prepare for stressful situations. By consistently implementing these steps, we not only prevent some stress but also become well-equipped to handle it effectively when it inevitably arises.
Step 4: Equip yourself with personalized stress-prevention strategies.
In times of overwhelming stress, there are universal strategies we all turn to for relief. Then there are consistent, universal practices like journaling, exercising, and mindful breathing that aid in stress prevention.
Introducing Stress Customizations:
Beyond the universal, there are deeply personal rituals—let's call them stress customizations—that uniquely help each of us navigate stress. While certain aspects of life are non-negotiable, embracing stress, preparing for it, and making it work to our advantage become achievable with personalized strategies.
Your Body, Your House:
Visualize your body as a house. While you can't alter fundamental structures, you can rearrange elements for optimal comfort. Change the paint color, open doors and windows, adjust lighting, or even invest in new furnishings. Similarly, in managing stress, identifying its triggers and retreat points allows for tailored daily customizations.
Daily Stress Customizations:
Notice where stress emerges and where it subsides. Develop specific daily customizations that efficiently address stress. Whether it's indulging in puzzles, music, video games, a power nap, reading, or enjoying a cup of coffee, make it a daily routine. By mastering your chosen stress customization, you not only prepare for stress but also proactively prevent its negative impacts.
In this journey of stress mastery, customization becomes your key to not just weathering stress but thriving in the face of life's challenges.
If you want to learn more on how our Luft Necklace can help you managing stress, visit our store in here: Luft Store