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By Suzy Pennington
Stress |
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Stress is an insidious condition.
You may be holding your breath or hyperventilating and not even be aware of
it. Breath is life! If you’re not breathing right your body
feels stressed and signals the brain to do something fast! The brain
reacts with the release of adrenaline to activate the muscles for a fight or
flight situation. The energy needed for stressful situations is
immense and if you are one of those who constantly finds themselves
stressed-out, your immune system is probably depleted from all this
adrenaline activity.
So what can be done? In the Baltimore Business Journal I
mentioned “Conditioned Breathing” (even inhale and exhale) that can
be done for a few minutes to break the cycle of reaction.
Other things that you can do:
1. If it is possible, take a break for 10-15 minutes
from the stressful event/person or situation. Take a walk, do a Yoga pose or
be quiet and listen to your breath.
2. If taking a break is not possible, don’t react! Take a
mental step back for a moment. Become an observer of the
situation. Notice how you are feeling, what you are thinking and how
and where the body is tensed. Breathe. Then respond.
3. Smile! This simple physical action sends
signals to the brain to relax and that all is well. Keep smiling.
In the long term, the practice of mind/body integration gets easier until it
becomes second nature. Yoga, Tai chi and any physical activity that
places emphasis on reflection while moving is a great way to learn this.
Meditation is also good, if you are not inclined to be active.
There are many other breathing techniques available in Yoga that may
work for you. If you are interested in learning, look for classes in
Pranayama.
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Archive of Yoga Therapeutics Articles:
Summer 2000: Number 1- Introduction to Yoga Therapeutics
Spring 2006: Number 9 - Women’s Health: A Sequence for a Healthy Menstruation
Summer 2006: Number 10 - It is Too Late
Spring 2007: Number 12 - Yoga Therapeutics for Lower Backs
Stress - Helpful Tips
Yoga as an Intervention for Scoliosis
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