Stress and How We Relate to IT

An uncomfortable feeling is not an enemy.  It’s a gift that says “get honest – inquire.” 
~ Bryon Katie  

STRESS - It's everywhere and is totally unavoidable. 

We need to allow the stress response—flight, fight or freeze—to be “on-call” should there be a need to react to a threat. However, in most day-to-day moments, we can benefit from asking the question, "What is truly standing in the way between me and how i relate to stressors - traffic, running late, technology, politics, unmet deadlines, crammed schedules, relationship struggles, people in general, etc.?"

When we can turn the mental-emotional compass inward, we may begin to notice how we react (unconscious, conditioned habit-patterns), rather than how we respond (conscious choice) to uncontrollable and often uncomfortable experiences. if we can pause for just a moment, we may find a “s p a c e” from which to step back and choose our response to anything and anyone. it will take practice, practice, practice and then some more practice to pause and choose to respond.
 
Here are 5 mindful tips to relate more efficiently to stress:

1. When the external stress trigger arises, pause and make a u-turn inward and create a space in the mind. In other words, try and be present with whatever is arising. 
2. Take 5 *mindful breaths periodically throughout the day
3. Do only 1 thing at a time and do it *mindfully
4. Spend at least 15-30 minutes everyday to completely and *mindfully be with yourself
5. Begin again, without judgments about yourself – as gently able as possible 

*Mindful in this context relates to being completely attentive and focused with all phenomena as it arises, in the present moment, non-judgmentally. 

Author - Nina Bhatty
If you found this information to be helpful and would like to share your experience with STRESS, simply share in either the 'comments' section below or contact me privately in the 'contact me' tab in the menu bar - I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings related to your experiences with stress and how you integrate mindfulness or would like to know more about mindfulness as it applies to your life experiences.