What is your stress level like lately?

Our bodies were formed ingeniously for survival. When something is very intent on eating you it makes all the sense in the world that your body stops digesting, stops reproductive processes, healing and regenerating processes, even the immune system, and shuttles all its resources to the extremities to run, and to the brain, to think at lightning speed.

But in modern life, at least in the west, we tend to wallow in a corrosive bath of stress hormones. Our body reacts the same to the relationship conflict, or the traffic jam, as to the lion, and then it doesn’t know when to shut down this remarkable stress response. It doesn’t know when to switch from the sympathetic response (fight or flight) to the parasympathetic (rest and digest, heal and feel), and so we live in a low-grade chronic stress response and it is killing us.

This chronic corrosive bath produced by the stress response is dangerous. It can kill brain cells, clog arteries, even unravel chromosomes! It’s the culprit for a plethora of health issues, including our body holding on to belly fat and has been linked to depression and anxiety. It impacts our memory and our ability to learn.

Want to know how to help your precious taxed body?

First, it really helps to change your perspective on stress. When your heart begins to race, palms sweat, face gets flushed, stomach churns, notice, and instead of saying, “Boy, I’m not coping well with this pressure!”, say to yourself, “My remarkable body is energized and preparing me for action. It is pumping more oxygen to my brain and blood to my legs and arms. This is my body helping me rise to the challenge. It is also my body telling me I really care about this situation. Which I do. And that is good”.

When we change our perspective on our stress response, our body actually reacts in a healthier way!

Second, get around people you care about. Caring and compassion extend health and longevity. Caring creates resilience and can actually counter some of the damaging impact of chronic stress.

And third, breathe! What are your three biggest stressors in life right now? Write these down. Become aware of your stress response and then practice a magic pause. As soon as you notice – STOP – for just a few seconds.

S – Stop and take stock – notice what’s actually happening, physical sensations, thoughts, judgments, feelings. Acknowledge and register your experience even if it’s uncomfortable.

T – take a breath mindfully. Let your breath function as an anchor into the present moment. In and out. That is all you need to focus on.

O – Open and Observe – expand your awareness outward.

P – Proceed with awareness and kindness and with an openness to new possibilities.

Set an intention this week to notice and catch yourself in a stressed state. Try this one minute of breathing space, and see what opens up for you.

I would love to hear what you discover.

Peace.