The Deeper Implications of Long-Term Stress

Are you feeling stressed? Do you suffer from frequent bouts of anxiety? Poor sleep? Digestive problems? Low energy? Well, you’re not alone. Welcome come to the over-stressed twenty-first century, the most technologically-advanced period in human history and a time of unremitting stress, anxiety and worry.

And the problem with this modern-day level of constant tension is that we’ve become strangely accustomed to the condition. We’ve been suffering from daily bouts of stress for so long that we’ve learned to accept it as a completely normal way of living. People don’t even realise that they’re stressed. But once you learn to recognise the signs of stress, you’ll begin to see it everywhere. in your own body, in your thoughts and in your emotional status.

The time to relax is when you don't have time for it.

–?Sydney J. Harris

If you consider the latest research from the World Health Organisation, you might be shocked to learn that depression is now one of the fastest growing disorders in the world. It’s estimated that some three hundred million people are suffering from depression but that’s only the number of individuals who’ve been diagnosed. The full extent of the problem could be at least three times higher.

Depression can take many forms but one of the leading causes of the condition is a feeling of being out of control, that we are unable to influence the outcomes in our lives. The feeling of being unable to direct our lives leads to a sense of powerlessness that can create a descending spiral of pessimism and despair. These are the roots of depression. Clearly, a constant state of stress will sap the energy and emphasise the burdens that we carry rather than the choices and opportunities that are available to us. But there are deeper concerns to consider when we attempt to shrug off the effects of stress without dealing with the underlying causes.

Take your rest for a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.

–?Ovid

Perhaps most significantly, it’s important to recognise that prolonged stress has been linked to a wide range of disturbing illnesses. Research has connected the damaging effects of stress to increased risks of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, inflammatory response problems, disturbed sleep, impotence, infertility and a long list of other syndromes and medical disorders.

Rather than being scared by the medical data, let’s use this knowledge as an incentive to be more aware of how stress can take hold in our hearts and minds and bodies.

Let’s start with your posture. How you hold your body is a powerful reflection of how you’re feeling. If you’ve ever noticed the way people slouch with their shoulders hunched forwards, you might become more aware of how your own shoulders are curved forwards in a naturally defensive posture. This is a clear indicator of stress. You might not even be aware of it because you’ve become accustomed to sitting, standing and feeling this way. But, since our shoulders always reflect how we feel, it’s a great place to start your personal programme of stress reduction.

The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.

–?Elbert Hubbard

Start by gently relaxing your shoulders. Ideally, you can move them backwards a few millimeters and then let them gently sink into a lower position. Your body – and your mind – will instantly respond to this subtle shift in posture. We’re hardwired as a species to respond to the shoulder position.

Forwards and hunched equates to a defensive attitude that implies an imminent threat or danger.

Open and relaxed reflects a calm and centred state of awareness. The change in perception can be quite remarkable. Your ability to think clearly and logically will be enhanced because you’re tapping into your body’s natural ability to turn down the ancient stress response. You lower your blood pressure and expand your perception. It’s an extremely effective mechanism to override your stress response and regain control of your mental and emotional faculties.

Breathing more deeply can reinforce the stress release response and bring you swiftly and comfortably to a calmer, more centred state of being.

Try it today. There’s far more at stake than your personal comfort. It’s even more important than your ability to tap into your latent creativity and problem-solving abilities. This is about protecting your health and boosting your chances of living long enough to enjoy all the success you’re planning to create for yourself. Turn down your stress and turn up your capacity to enjoy life to the fullest possible extent.

?One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important.

-??????Bertrand Russel

Are you ready right now for a completely fresh approach to life’s great adventure? Get in touch with us today for a free session to discover how the growing global movement for personal growth, success, change and empowerment can enhance your life!

Greg Parry created The Wellness Foundation and the Cognitive Empowerment Programs specifically to help people master their stress, overcome their limitations and explore the power of their true potential.

If you enjoy these blogs, you can imagine how much fun it is to have Greg in the room as an inspirational and highly perceptive speaker. If you’d like to invite Greg to talk to your company or organisation or event, feel free to get in touch.

You can contact Greg directly at:

[email protected]