Overcoming Tension and Anxiety

The Ancient Origins of Your Stress

Do you feel that you’re carrying too much stress on your shoulders these days? If you’re nodding your head in agreement, don’t worry. You’re certainly not the only one who’s experiencing far too much pressure! The evidence strongly suggests that more and more people are suffering from the long-term effects of stress, tension and anxiety.?I know. It’s a scary thought and a disturbing development.

As a species, humans are very adaptable. So, one of the unexpected consequences of this global stress epidemic is that more and more people are learning to live with the discomfort of increased pressure, anxiety and tension - until it begins to feel normal. Is that how you’ve learned to cope with the daily stresses in your life? Have you learned to accept your daily stress levels as something that’s become a normal part of your everyday routine? Despite the damage to our health and the quality of life, it really seems that we’re becoming increasingly accustomed to the daily rounds of unpleasantness that characterise life in the twenty-first century.

Breath is the power behind all things. I breathe in and know that good things will happen.

—???Tao Porchon-Lynch

Does the stress seem completely normal to you? Do you feel that you’ve simply accepted the stresses and tensions because you see them as an unavoidable part of the way we live our lives and earn a living? When you stop to think about it, this is not a healthy, happy or efficient way to make the most of this extraordinary opportunity that we call life. On the contrary, the stress and anxiety that fill our lives are costing us our health, our peace of mind, our wellbeing and our ability to think clearly. We need to consider the possibility that there are much better ways to get through the day without sacrificing our sanity or our precious peace of mind. Would you like to find out how?

One of the more disturbing aspects of prolonged exposure to stress is the fact that it degrades our ability to think clearly and efficiently. The stress response is largely based on the chemical reactions that are controlled by the limbic system. This is the part of the brain that’s traditionally labelled as one of the more ‘primitive’ components and its function was to improve our distant ancestors’ chances of survival when they encountered dangerous situations. And yet, even though these ancient aspects of our evolutionary history developed in our dim and ancient past, they still survive in our behaviour to this day. That means we still react in the same old ‘primitive’ ways whenever we feel threatened, whether the threat is real or whether it’s purely a product of our imagination.

Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.

—Thích Nh?t H?nh

To understand these reactions more clearly, it’s helpful to remember that they usually take one of three distinctive forms. These are the same reactions that evolved tens of thousands of years ago and they’re still clearly apparent today.

When we’re confronted by a sudden danger, our instinctive reaction is to freeze. Most predators are drawn to movement so our natural, ancient reaction is to remain completely still in the face of a threat. Like many animals, we want to become invisible by keeping still and avoiding drawing attention to ourselves. You might notice this tendency when someone unexpectedly rings the doorbell late at night and everyone pauses in mid-sentence, mid-gesture as if temporarily frozen in time. It’s entirely natural, a hardwired response that’s built into our survival instincts and it serves a very practical purpose. We use this moment of stillness to assess the situation and evaluate the possibility of a threat or danger. Once you notice this behaviour, you’ll realise exactly what’s happening, especially in a group setting where everyone immediately stops whatever they’re doing.

Simply let experience take place very freely, so that your open heart is suffused with the tenderness of true compassion.

—???Tsoknyi Rinpoche

The second reaction is probably more familiar to you and that’s the instinctive drive to run away from whatever’s causing the threat. When confronted by danger, this is obviously the safest and least risky option. Putting distance between ourselves and the apparent danger resolves the problem and removes us from the chances of being injured – or eaten!

This is another behavioural phenomenon that can be observed on a larger scale in crowds. When a small group begins to run in panic, the feeling is transmitted very rapidly to everyone else in the vicinity. The herd instinct prevails and the urge to escape whatever might be causing the problem can prove to be irresistible. Soon, everyone is trying to run away and the risk of being trampled can prove to be more dangerous than the original threat that sparked the stampede.

Set peace of mind as your highest goal and organise your life around it.

—???Brian Tracy

The third and final option is to stand and fight. This is obviously a higher risk strategy because confrontation can lead to injury or worse. Unless under the influence of alcohol or drugs, most people avoid aggression because it’s the least certain way to deal with a threat. Yet, the same chemicals that prepare us to run for our lives are equally effective at preparing us to face the danger and fight with ferocious intensity for our survival.

When you consider these deeply embedded behaviours, it’s helpful to appreciate that they developed specifically to help us contend with a hostile and dangerous world. Unfortunately, the stress response has become a daily habit for the majority of people and the damage to our health and wellbeing needs to be recognised.

Many a calm river begins as a turbulent waterfall, yet none hurtles and foams

all the way to the sea.

—???Mikhail Lermontov

So, what’s the answer? It’s worth remembering that most of the things that cause anxiety today are nothing more than a product of our imagination. Take time to breathe. Slow down. Take a step backwards. Pause. Think. Engage your higher brain function. Analyse the situation. When a real threat arises, your ancient defence mechanisms will still kick in when needed. It’s simply a fact that those occasions are very rare so let’s learn to tame the stress response so that you can take back control of your life and your wellbeing. Let’s start to enjoy life rather than living in fear and anxiety. The gift of this life is too precious to waste on imaginary fears, doubts and anxieties. Make this your gift to yourself today. It could change your life in ways that will surprise and delight you.

Rule number one is, don’t sweat the small stuff. Rule number two is, it’s all small stuff.

—Robert Eliot

Are you ready 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. It’s fun and it’s surprisingly effective. Perhaps it’s time for you to discover how you can enjoy your life on a whole new level of happiness and wellbeing.

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 and explore our websites at:

www.thewellnessfoundation.eu

For a Better life. For a Better World.