What is Stress?
If we look up the definition of stress in Merriam-Webster there are a few. But the one that we will use for this content is “a physical, chemical or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation”.
This is the closest definition to what we will be discussing . The simplest term and easiest to understand is stress causes your body to go into fight and flight. Which causes your body to release the hormone cortisol which alters the immune system responses and suppresses the digestive system.
Stress will always been a part of life at one point or another . Whether it is taking a test at school or preparing a presentation for a meeting at work. Those things alone can cause stress by bringing up worry. I too often have been caught in the worry circle the night before an important event. As I am sure you have as well.
Stress has been scientifically proven to lower your immune system and hinder other important functions of the brain and major organs of your body. With that in mind how can we address and cope with every day stressful situations in our lives effectively?
Being mindful, meditation, and heart focused breathing can brings us back to a place of serenity and quiet the mind. Aren’t our thoughts what bring up emotions and cause us to either feel good or bad. Therefore wouldn’t it make sense that quietening our minds and focusing on the here and now bring us to a sense of stability and balance.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is being in the present moment. Observing and watching what is unfolding in the here and now. Practicing mindfulness may be a hard task to accomplish for most of us. Since most of us are either thinking of the past or thinking about possible outcomes in the future. It is not your fault your mind can’t seem to stay in the present.
But with small steps put into practice everyday anyone can achieve this. You too can train your mind to be still and stay in the here and now. You can practice mindfulness at home or somewhere you will not be disturbed for a few minutes. Find a comfortable and quiet place where you can sit still and focus on your breathing.
Observe your feelings, thoughts, be aware of your surroundings. Notice what is going on in your space. Put your attention on your body you can start at your head focusing on your scalp, then your face, then your jaw, next your neck and then your shoulders. Notice your breathing, is it shallow or are you taking deep healing breaths. Next focus on your arms, thighs, legs and finally your feet. Were you able to stay focused on your body scan. Or did your mind wonder off. No worries. Keep practicing.
Heart Chakra Centered Breathing
Heart chakra centered breathing is staying focused on your heart. In this exercise you will focus on breathing in your heart or heart chakra area. Visualizing your breath come in through your back and going out through your heart. As you visualize your breathing in white healing light and breathing out any stress or anything that is bothering you. You can use the picture above to visualize the breathing heart chakra centering.
Meditation
Meditation is when you close your eyes and your senses to the outer world and go inward. You focus on not having any thoughts on anything. This will be challenging at first if you are not use to quietening your mind. The thing is we are all meditators already. We just do not do it consciously. Every night as you fall asleep your brainwaves go into alpha and theta. During meditation the brain shows theta waves.
The benefits of meditation are strengthening in the areas of your brain responsible for memory, learning, attention, self-awareness. Daily practice can also decrease stress, anxiety, and depression.
Disclaimer
This content is for educational use it is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or condition.
