Anxiety

March 27, 2012

Good Morning,

Anxiety is a mild form of fear. The tell tale sign of anxiety is tension in the muscles and the mind. Reacting with tension can become habitual so that we aren’t aware of our tendency to tighten in the face of stress.

When circumstances overwhelm, the body and mind switches into fight or flight mode. At these times blood pressure rises, adrenalin is released, heart rate quickens, and muscles tense. These physiological responses help us respond quickly to danger. For many fight or flight responses become habitual even when there is no danger. In fact some thrive on fight or flight calling themselves ‘adrenalin junkies’. The problem is that when the body and mind are chronically stressed the body starts to break down, disease can ensue, and reactive mind tends to dominate.

Explore/Practice/Apply

Practicing yoga and meditation can support efforts to change our relationship with stress. Stress is inevitable but we can change our relationship to stress so that it doesn’t zap us. Stress elicits creativity when we approach it skillfully.  Consider dropping language like, “I’m so stressed out.” Instead, get specific with your language like, “I’m tense.”   Rather than putting the locus of control on the stress, deal with the tension within you. Manage yourself, not the stress. Asana and meditation are tools we can utilize to change our relationship to stress.

As you go about your day, breathe when you feel challenged; cue your muscles to soften. Excitement is often within stress, see if you can approach a challenge with excitement instead of dread.