Stress -- The One Thing that May Be Holding You Back from Your Spiritual Path and How to Get Rid of ItMetaphysical Mind #34Hello Friend, Stress is a very disturbing factor when it comes to life experience. When you are feeling stressed out, the thoughts you are thinking at that time are not in alignment with what you are really wanting. I struggled with stress for years. I would just feel so overwhelmed and stressed out, that I was unable to take on life and allow the good to manifest. Stress can be very spiritually limiting, and it will hold you back from your true spiritual path. This is why I have devoted this issue of Metaphysical Mind to the topic of getting rid of stress. This issue will be organized as follows: 1. Is Stress Getting You Down?
1. Is Stress Getting You Down? Unfortunately, there are many times in our lives when stress creeps in and causes great angst. Life is busy and work, kids, school and responsibilities can seem overwhelming at times. Do you feel stress getting you down? Here are some tips to help deal with stress and its after-effects. Stress has become a major cause of anxiety and panic attacks. If not dealt with, it can have an incapacitating effect on your life. More often than not, most people with A-type personalities are prime candidates for stress induced symptoms. The perfectionism they seek in everything they do never quite measures up to their expectations. This is not a perfect world; and it’s time those who live in it realize they aren’t perfect either. Most people deal with stress in different ways; either they ignore the initial problem which caused it; retreat within themselves, or fall apart. However, those who recognize the signs nip it in the bud before it completely takes over. Using simple exercises can relieve the onset of stress. For example: While sitting at your desk at work, breathing exercises can bring you back to a calm state. Going outside for some fresh air also helps. Walking or running for 20 minutes can release endorphins which relieve stress. Listening to classical music lowers the blood pressure, and brings calm within. Sometimes, however, stress reveals itself in other ways. Lightheadedness, an inability to focus, feelings of pressure and palpitations are all symptoms of stress. Moreover, continued stress can produce anxiety, panic, and the fright or flight syndrome. Here is one such case of how stress can simply overwhelm and, in some cases, debilitate. A secretary was called into her administrator’s office, which was quite large and comfortable. As she was taking dictation, she suddenly found it hard to breathe; began to lose focus; and a queasy feeling in her stomach ensued. She could no longer concentrate on his voice, and ran out of the room. Unbeknownst to her, she had just experienced an anxiety attack brought on by stress. However, while there was nothing stressful going on at the time, she later identified the cause. An unpleasant thought had entered her mind while she was taking dictation, causing fear to take over forcing her to flee the office. Upon further examination, it was determined the stress in her home life simply became too much, and filtered its way in to her work day. If stress is getting you down, examine the cause. Determine the origin, and discuss it with a professional or a loved one. Stress, if not acted upon, can cause serious health and spiritual problems. Avoid it at all costs, if you can.
2. Connecting Spiritually with Inner Personalities
A 5,000-year-old East Indian healing practice made its way to SF State in a seminar. Ayurvedic physician Vasant Lad, a practitioner from New Mexico, considered to be the pre-eminent expert in his field, presented an in-depth lecture on Ayurveda and specifically how certain techniques are utilized to cope with and eliminate stress. About 40 people attended the event that began on April 29. It was hosted by Friends of Ayurveda and sponsored by SF State special events and cost $75 dollars for students and $200 for the general public. They also helped raise funds for a future Ayurvedic school and clinic in India. “Stress is a force that puts the mind under pressure and blocks the flow of thought, and causes the mind to lose its functional integrity,” said Lad, whose work has been endorsed by philosophical guru Deepak Chopra. Friends of Ayurveda coordinator Suraj McNamara said treating stress is important in Ayurvedic medicine. “Stress is at the core of all diseases, it suppresses the immune system, leading from one problem to another.” Lad focused his lecture on the three cardinal physiologic and personality types, or “doshas,” described in Ayurvedic theory: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. To achieve well-being, an individual must balance these doshas. According to Lad, Vata individuals are often of slight build, and are highly energetic and excitable. Pitta individuals usually have a medium build, fine hair, strong physique, good appetite, and high metabolism. These individuals tend to live somewhat shorter lives because of their tendency to “burn the candle at both ends,” according to Lad. On the other hand, Kapha individuals are heavy set, with slower movements and metabolism, and are relaxed to the point of sluggishness. Biochemistry major Wahne Powell, 29, was drawn to the lecture by his interest in Ayurveda and his desire to reconcile its principles with his knowledge of science. “What Western science says situates me in my academic knowledge, but I am looking for connections and ways to integrate philosophy and spirituality,” he said. “I’m in the middle, looking at both sides open-mindedly.” While every individual has aspects of each dosha in their constitution, Ayurveda determines the influence of each of these on a numeric scale. If a person is primarily Pitta, for example, they are prescribed certain foods and daily rituals that maintain the balance of their doshas. According to Lad, diet alone can create stress in an individual if they eat foods that aggravate their dominant dosha. Pittas for example are already associated with heat, so eating spicy foods will aggravate their constitution. Likewise, dairy products for Kaphas tend to slow them down even further. Friends of Ayurveda volunteer Bill Edwards said Ayurveda has given him a better understanding of himself and his needs. “I have learned to stay healthy by avoiding things which aggravate my Pitta (aspect) such as coffee and alcohol,” he said. Although Ayurveda is primarily about the different doshas, there are several remedies for health and stress management that are tri-doshic, or meant for all types of people. Lad recommends a ginger and baking soda bath for all individuals who experience stress. A common form of stress on anyone’s body is the suppression of bodily functions out of a sense of propriety, according to Lad. The stifling of sneezes, yawns, burps, and flatulence cause stress internally. Another important tri-doshic remedy for stress is called psychic breathing, the awareness and control of one’s breathing. San Francisco art teacher Molly Nardone, 32, came to the lecture because she saw it as a rare opportunity given the research she has done, which found that Lad’s practice is commonly regarded as the best in the country. “It was fascinating because Ayurveda is a way of life, and there was a lot to cover in only two days, and it was done from a very authentic perspective,” she said. 3. 6 Ways to Deal with the Stress in Your Life We all experience it at one time or another; this trespasser called stress. It is perhaps the number one cause of most health problems today. Let’s explore 6 ways to deal with the stress in your life in a healthy and effective manner. * Talk about the problems you are experiencing with friends, loved ones or a professional. Keeping everything bottled up will only create more problems later on. Join a support group with people experiencing similar problems. * Exercise often. Go to the park and walk for 20-30 minutes either every day or every other day. Exercise relieves tension and produces a calming effect. Perhaps joining a gym with a friend would be more to your liking. * Yoga exercises. Sit in a quiet room alone and begin breathing exercises. Choose a mantra which will help you to stay focused. * Music does calm the savage beast. Listen to some classical or instrumental music. Ocean or nature sounds are a perfect way to release stress. * Healthy meals can become an important factor in limiting your stress. Ensure you eat three meals a day, and make an effort to avoid too much caffeine and sugar. * Sleep deprivation can cause stress. Go to bed early. Seven to eight hours sleep can make all the difference. Coping with stress can be challenging. Every day you seem to be pulled in every direction, trying to accommodate others. The first priority is to take care of you. You are the thread which holds your family together. If you are stressed, you won’t be much good to anyone. Give yourself a break every now and then. Buy a new outfit; go to a movie; do something you’ve always wanted to do. Your family can take care of themselves for one day. Alone time is just as important to you as it is for everyone else. Think of yourself as a gas tank; eventually you will run out of fuel. Laughter is a wonderful release. You’ve probably noticed those times when you’ve laughed so hard, you cried. This is probably due to the fact you haven’t laughed in a while, and the tension released through laughter is the best cure-all method for dealing with stress-related issues. Avoid stressful situations whenever possible. If you are a working mom, it’s probably not the job but the people who are causing you the most stress. Take everything in stride. If you can’t finish a task, don’t worry about it. If dinner doesn’t turn out as you expected, improvise or order out. Life is too short; and stress can reduce it further. Nothing is more important than your health or state of mind. Eleanor Roosevelt wisely said, “No one can make you a victim without your consent.” She was right; it is, after all, up to you. Be Easy, Jason |