Are You Ready to Turn Down Your Stress?

The Hidden Costs of Longterm Stress

Are you feeling stressed today? Are you one of the many millions who suffer from frequent bouts of anxiety? Should we add poor sleep to the list of symptoms? Digestive problems? Low energy? Depression? Well, it might not be very comforting but the fact is that you’re not the only one who’s experiencing the effects of daily stress. Welcome to the great irony of the twenty-first century, the most technologically-advanced period in human history and a time of unremitting stress, anxiety, worry, doubt and fear. Life was undoubtedly stressful before the global pandemic cast its shadow over our lives. But the long-term isolation and widespread economic challenges have made the situation even more difficult to endure.

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

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

–?Sydney J. Harris

If we consider the latest research from the World Health Organisation, you might be shocked to learn that depression is now one of the fastest growing health disorders in the world. It’s estimated that some three hundred million people are suffering from depression today 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. Almost a billion people suffering from depression. That’s a very sobering statistic.

Depression can take many forms but one of the leading causes of the condition is a feeling of being out of control, that we’re unable to influence the important outcomes in our lives. The feeling of being unable to direct our lives leads to a sense of powerlessness that can trigger a descending spiral of pessimism and despair. These are often the root causes of depression. Clearly, a constant state of stress will sap the energy and emphasise the burdens and obstacles 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 rest; a field that has rested produces a more bountiful crop.

–?Ovid

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

Rather than being scared by all of this disturbing 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 make a powerful commitment right now to free ourselves from the shadows of stress and start to embrace each new day with much more positive, empowering, creative and healthy behaviours.

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. It might not be obvious but this is a clear indicator of stress. You might not even be aware of it because you’ve become completely accustomed to sitting, standing and moving 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 only need to move them backwards a few millimeters and then let them sink naturally into a slightly 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 our shoulder position.

Whenever your shoulders move forwards and become hunched, this posture equates to a defensive attitude that implies an imminent threat or danger. An open and relaxed shoulder position 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 automatically 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. This is hardly a new idea. Almost every culture and civilisation has recognised the deeper value of correctly-balanced posture.

Breathing more deeply can also 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 your problem-solving abilities. This is about protecting your health and boosting your chances of living a long life so that you can enjoy all the success you’re planning to create for yourself. Turn down your stress right now 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. You can now enjoy the Cognitive Empowerment Programs in the comfort of your own home by downloading the modules to your computer and following the sessions at your leisure. There’s never been a better time to enjoy this life-changing pathway to your hidden potential.

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

You can contact Greg and explore our websites at?

www.thewellnessfoundation.eu