Tackling stress
By Sherron Bloomfield
Hippocrates wrote about stress, and he inspired Aristotle, they each spoke on the mind body connectedness.
Michael Rutter, the father of psychiatry wrote about the ability to bounce back from stress, that is resilience.
The fight or flight mode term was coined in the 1960s. Up to date in the 20th century stress awareness and stress management are taught in the workplace.
Many examples of how stress can manifest are, anxiety which is linked to headaches panic attacks cramps and low self-esteem.
Humanity has a long history of being able to manage stress because we have always experienced stress throughout the history of the world.
Depression is an offshoot of stress – feeling like a failure, insomnia, fatigue the inability to set goals.
Whereas in the initial stages one would experience decrease mental function that is sluggishness and forgetfulness the inability to make good decision-making skills.
Several ways in which we can manage stress would be to promote visualisation skills. This is the ability to go to a peaceful place within us and imagine using creative imagery.
Appetite and weight changes can be healed from creative visualisation, along with prayers and positive affirmations it prevents us from having a weakened immune system and plays a crucial role in managing stress.
The body needs to nourish itself with nutritious food and drinking plenty of water with physical exercise. Being able to take part in meditation yoga deep breathing all techniques which can help to calm the mind and reduce stress.
So, what’s in my toolbox? I build my resilience by praying, creative visualisation, meditation or sitting quietly and showing gratitude through positive affirmations.
We can experience visual imagery when we practise A relaxation technique where we focus on deep breathing and muscle relaxation this promotes a sense of inner peace and reduces stress.
Music and art therapy can help us to go to a place of peace.
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(Pictures: Randerick Bishop)