By Rev. Gillian V Harris, M.S.P.
November 18, 2018
Stresssss!
Kind of has that snake hissing sound to it, doesn't it!? Kind of like the sound of a deflating tire. Now-a-day the war is on against stress! So even at a yoga class you the words “I'm so stressed” are still heard more than ‘Namaste’, especially I a big city! People are starting to get clear on the fact that STRESS can kill you! When you hear about stress in a yoga class it's generally from people who understand that being there is an excellent antidote! Yes. There are A LOT of healthy solutions! Today, the one we're talking about is YOGA!!
A consistent yoga practice, especially, if it's one that includes consciousness AKA mindfulness you can turn the tables on the curse called stress! Turn the tables reverse the curse from your very center of your being replacing it with your natural state of calm. The regular practice of yoga can give you focus, clarity and the energy enough for the lifestyle adjustments you may still need to make in alignment with a less stressful life. Things like, eating more healthfully! Whoa! What a concept! Getting more sleep! Wait. What?! Yeah! And how about living with greater purpose? That that mindfulness thing again! Being in the here and the now rather than in the frustration of the future or the agitation of the past is also an anti-stress exercise!
Stress is more than just a feeling... It's sometimes extremely legitimate in that you realize you have more to do than you can handle! Or you perceive it that way anyway. It’s all about perception! When that problem seems bigger then you think you can handle. And maybe it is but when you perceive there are are no or only a few solutions that may or may not be feasible, you can add to or maintain your stress level. Running out of time – deadlines – consequences if you fail to meet them. Stresssss Just like the hisssssss of a snake.
So, it might seem like stress is an emotion. An emotional state. But it's also a physical state! Yes. Stress is physical, as well. You can actually feel it if the stress level is high enough. This effect on your physique is as a result of the effect on your emotions. Dr. Roberta Lee, a physician at Southern Arizona veterans Healthcare System wrote a book ‘The Super-Stress Solution’. In it she notes complaints like stress-related headaches, fatigue, back pain, cognitive problems and imbalanced digestion and she says that is just a mini list of the small stuff!!! Stress has graduated in its affect. In the last 30 years scientists have discovered connections between stress and some extremely serious s***! Oops! Sorry. I mean, extremely serious …diseases – ailments - conditions. Things that can take you out! And when I say “out”, I don't mean to dinner. I mean out of this incarnation! Diabetes can be stress-induced! Depression. Even heart disease can be stress related! People are having stress-related STROKES!! Autoimmune disorders and even... Cancer! Free radicals can have a party in a stressed out body.
It just simply is not worth it to be stressed out over whatever it is that is stressing you! Especially if its work or money, or anything else! When you think about the value of your life... How much its worth to have a longevity to that life… It’s worth it to trouble shoot your stress and consciously make it dissolve!
So to go back to the original purpose of this article, I just want to offer for your consideration: Yoga! Give it a whirl! Consciously take the time to learn how to do a yoga practice that not only is incredible for your physical wellness but also incredibly rejuvenating, refreshing, healthy and calming for your emotional state of mind. Yoga... The new chill pill...