Anna Stookey, MA, MFT, CHt. offers the following royalty-free article for you
to publish online or in print.
Feel free to use this article in your newsletter, website, ezine, blog, or
forum.
-----------
PUBLICATION GUIDELINES
- You have permission to publish this article for free providing the "About the
Author" box is included in its entirety.
- Do not post/reprint this article in any site or publication that contains
hate, violence, porn, warez, or supports illegal activity.
- Do not use this article in violation of the US CAN-SPAM Act. If sent by
email, this article must be delivered to opt-in subscribers only.
- If you publish this article in a format that supports linking, please ensure
that all URLs and email addresses are active links.
- Please send a copy of the publication, or an email indicating the URL to
[email protected]
- Content Crooner (www.ContentCrooner.com) has distributed this article on
behalf of the author. Content Crooner does not own this article, please respect
the author's copyright and publication guidelines. If you do not agree to these
terms, please do not use this article.
-----------
Article Title: What Your Body Would Tell You About Stress: A Bodymind Solution
Author: Anna Stookey, MA, MFT, CHt.
Category: Stress Management, Wellness, Career
Word Count: 616
Keywords: stress management, bodymind, breath, job stress, body
Author's Email Address: [email protected]
Article Source: http://www.contentcrooner.com
------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------
We learn more and more every day about the effects of stress on our whole
being. Stress affects our health, our productivity and-of course-our quality of
life. Ironically, the more stressed we are, the more likely we can be to move
away from the very things that would help us. We might think we don't have
enough time or we don't slow down enough to notice opportunities to let go or
to see things from a different perspective.
Our bodies themselves offer us just that. Unlike our racing minds, our
bodies live in the present moment. When we connect to them-through our breath,
through exercise, through even a stretch after a meeting or at our desks-they
bring us into the moment, and offer us a chance to remember what's really
important. Here are a few tips to help you use your body when stress hits-to
get through it and even strive.
1)Listen
Your body is communicating with you all the time. The noise your mind
makes can often feel like static that gets in the way. But if you make a
commitment to tuning into your body, it will tell you what it needs: a breath,
a drink of water, a nap, some movement or exercise. Listening moment to moment
to our bodies and what they need allows us to mitigate the effects of stress
and tells us, on a deep level, that no matter what happens we still care for
and respect ourselves.
2)Understand Stress as Your Thoughts About Things
Stress is created by the interpretations we create around what's
happening: e.g. if I don't get this done my boss will fire me; if I can't get
to the meeting on time, everyone will judge me. The truth is, that when we let
go of our overthinking mind and just allow things to be as they are, we are
able to move from a much freer and less pressured space.
Your body doesn't live in the world of interpretations. It just feels
things and moves through them. Let yourself make contact with the part of you
that doesn't need to overthink. Let feelings and emotions come through your
body without judging or acting on them and you'll notice a huge change in how
you're holding yourself in each situation.
3)Work With Your Body Instead of Against It
Many of us interpret stress as the body's assault against us, or as an
inconvenience. We don't want to have to deal with a racing heart or a throbbing
headache. But the truth is that our body is trying to tell us something, to get
us to come into the moment with it, reconnect to what's important, and let go
of our pressured interpretations of reality.
When your body responds with symptoms of stress, see if you can drop into
your body and see your symptoms as a call to what you really most need. If you
have a headache, drink some water or take a break. If your heart is racing, use
that as a cue to take a few breaths and envision a more peaceful place until
you can feel your body respond. Your body's symptoms can take you toward what
you most need when you attend to them rather than ignoring them.
Stress is certainly a state of mind, but it doesn't have to be a state of the
body. By using these simple awarenesses, you can connect to your body in a way
that helps you step out of your own way, and back into the simple-and
non-stressed-reality of the present.
Anna Stookey is a psychotherapist & bodymind coach who helps people move into
their highest vision of health and wellness by partnering with their bodies
rather than working against them. Ongoing blog at
http://www.bodyreunion.blogspot.com or sign on to the website:
http://www.bodymindguide.com
Distributed by http://www.ContentCrooner.com
------------------ ARTICLE END ------------------
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
