Understanding Stress: A Path to Relief

What is stress and how does it feel?

Allow me to explain based on my own experience.

One day, I received an important email—an eagerly awaited project opportunity: an interview with a prestigious company. Excitement surged through my veins. However, as the days passed while waiting for the interview date, my emotions took a turn.

As anticipation grew, so did my stress. It felt as though a heavy weight settled upon my mind, causing my thoughts to race in a relentless marathon. Doubts and insecurities crept in, whispering in my ear, "What if you're not good enough? What if you fail?" The once-exciting prospect now felt like a looming challenge, casting a shadow over my confidence.

Nights became restless as I tossed and turned, my mind replaying countless scenarios and worrying about every possible outcome. The anxiety I felt was overwhelming, like a storm raging within me, making it difficult to find peace and tranquility.

Finally, the day came, the project agreement was finalized, and I started working on it.

Eager to prove my worth, I dove headfirst into the tasks and responsibilities, aiming to make a positive impact.

As the weeks went by, the demands of the job began to pile up. Tight deadlines, complex projects, and high expectations from superiors created a constant pressure cooker in the office. I found myself juggling multiple tasks simultaneously, feeling like I was walking a tightrope with no safety net.

Each morning, I would arrive at work with a knot in my stomach. The weight of responsibilities bore down on me like an immense burden, causing my stress levels to soar. It felt as though the walls of the office were closing in, suffocating my creativity and suppressing my confidence.

As the stress escalated, it began to infiltrate my personal life. Even during off-hours, thoughts of unfinished projects and looming deadlines gnawed at my mind. The relentless pursuit of perfectionism began to erode my self-esteem, leading to self-doubt and a fear of failure.

The long hours spent in the office, the constant stream of emails, and the mounting pressure started taking a toll on my physical and mental well-being. Sleepless nights became the norm as restless thoughts and worries consumed my mind. Energy levels plummeted, and even the simplest tasks seemed insurmountable.

This is how stress feels, and I'm sure everyone can relate to it. Stress can arise from various sources, such as academic pressure, personal relationships, financial burdens, life transitions, health issues, loss, grief, and daily hassles. Regardless of the cause, stress is an unwelcome guest that affects us all. But why do we allow stress to overpower us? Isn't it foolish to succumb to its grasp?

It's essential to recognize that we have the power to control our own minds, even in the face of stress. While it may not be easy, it is not impossible. We can consider stress, an illusion (Maya), a creation of our own unnecessary assumptions that divert our focus from what truly matters. Breaking free from stress requires practice, just like how we practice swimming, cycling, or driving, but stress handling is internal, and our externally oriented minds find it hard to shift our concentration inward.

Reducing stress starts with small steps. It's important not to overwhelm ourselves by abruptly adopting drastic changes. Just as forcefully plucking a tree leaf leaves a mark, but if it dries and falls, there won't be any trace. Sudden and intense stress relief attempts can have adverse effects as we might not be consistent since it is new to us. Instead, we should incrementally introduce stress-reducing practices into our lives. By doing so, we increase the chances of maintaining a consistent and sustainable routine.

Ways to alleviate stress

Let's explore some simple ways to alleviate stress:

Write it down

When you feel stressed, take a moment to write down your thoughts and feelings on paper. Assess what you need to do and what you can realistically accomplish. Accept that you can only do what is within your capacity. If something is beyond your control, stressing over it is a waste of time. Give your best effort and let go of the rest. Writing down this reminder can help provide relief as your mind feels like you can forget it since you wrote it.

Movement and nature

If stress is keeping you from sleeping or you're feeling overwhelmed at your desk, try stepping away and engaging in physical movement. Take a short walk outside and immerse yourself in nature. Observe the music of the wind rustling through the trees, the dance of the leaves, and the gentle caress of the cool breeze. These small observations can divert your mind from stress and bring a sense of calm.

Pursue activities of interest

Engage in activities that align with your talents and interests. Drawing, writing, singing, talking to people, playing physical games, dancing, crafting, reading books (preferably physical copies), or learning a new language can all help divert your mind from stress. Avoid mindlessly browsing the internet or watching videos, as they can inadvertently lead to dwelling on stressful thoughts. Choose activities that captivate your mind and bring you joy.

Breathing and mindfulness

One of the most powerful stress-relief practices involves conscious breathing and mindfulness. Contrary to the belief that it requires a significant time investment, these techniques can be incorporated into any daily routine.

Start with a simple practice

Sit in a comfortable position, ensuring that your spine is straight and elongated, Inhale slowly and gently, according to your capacity, and exhale in the same manner. Begin with five minutes of focused breathing, gradually increasing the duration. During this practice, redirect your attention from overwhelming thoughts and focus on the sensation of air entering your nostrils, filling your expanding lungs, and the sound of your breath. When you practice this, it will calm down most tired nerves of your system, and you'll feel more and more rested. You'll come to know that you never rested earlier, and it gives more relief than sleep.

Advanced breathing practices

For those seeking more advanced practices, breath-holding exercises or alternative nostril breathing can be explored. However, caution must be exercised, and these practices should not be overdone or approached aggressively. It's important to establish good food habits and follow other recommended habits to ensure safe implementation.

Let's see how to practice advanced breathing exercises:

Close your right nostril with your thumb and inhale according to capacity, close the other nostril with the middle finger. Hold the breath according to capacity, release the right nostril, and exhale. Now inhale through the same nostril, hold, and exhale through the left nostril.

In the above-mentioned simple inhale and exhale practice also you can hold your breath after inhaling and exhaling.

Counting numbers or chanting mantras can be incorporated into these breathing exercises, but ultimately, the choice is yours. Regardless of the technique, mindfulness and feeling the effects on your body are key elements to avoid mind-wandering.

If you find that you need additional help or motivation, feel free to reach out to me by filling out the form provided here. I will do my best to respond and assist you when time permits.

Remember, stress relief is a journey that requires patience and dedication. By implementing these practices into your daily life and gradually increasing your resilience, you can begin to experience the transformative power of stress relief.