Stress can be our friend – “The Upside of Stress” the latest book by Kelly McGonigal to checkout. How to get good at it? She is a yoga instructor so she certainly knows how to befriend and get better at stress:)
How do you get “better” at Stress? The up-side of stress is reaped when you make the impact stress has on you less toxic. Helpful to know the physiology of stress in that, besides all the damaging hormones released at times of acute stress, body also comes to your aid by drumming up the support to cope – and it does so by releasing a neuro-hormone, Oxytocin. Oxytocin, sometimes called the “cuddle hormone” is actually a stress hormone that encourages you to seek connections with others – it’s that tribal instinct so human of us. It brings out the latent courage we actually have deep inside us and brings us to that place of compassion for others and hope for all. We also try to find meaning in stressful situations as though there’s a purpose and some good that comes out of it despite the misery, while cultivating more compassion that promotes us to seek out others with empathy. The suffering and the anguish is not suppressed or denied – but accepted with courage and strength by seeking others to not only commiserate with but to actually be helpful to. That’s the upside – which is not to say that stress can indeed be harmful to our health if not dealt with. Of course easy to say for someone from Ivory Tower you say – as there are people direly stressed and we are not talking about workplace stress and interpersonal type stress but stress stemming from some terrible plight we would not wish on anybody, but the science behind it is credible and … the intention to help us by changing our perspective on stress is a honorable effort.
A HUGE difference in what stress does to you is dictated by how we choose to frame it. Is it a PMS (“Poor Me” thing) or is it an opportunity to grow and become more resilient? It’s not the mindless urge and a drive where the thrill of stress and pressures is something you relish and live on to propel you – or even take pleasure in (sic?)- because it gets things done (the deadlines, self-inflicted pressures to seek perfections) which apparently is unhealthy according to McGonigal as that’s more a case where you are hooked on that “high” of adrenalin rush and surge of Dopamine – no different than any other addiction – not healthy. Terrible for your blood pressure, your heart and digestion, making our body more vulnerable to free radicals that cause inflammations. Rather, seeing that there’s a meaning, almost a purpose when dealing with stress – while acknowledging the suffering and hardship…never denying or avoiding, but also knowing that you have the ability to handle it. Basically again, it’s about balance, through a mindset shift, isn’t it? McGonigal asserts that the paradox of stress is that meaningful life is often the more stressful – rather then denying or avoiding stress, face it squarely knowing that you have the ability to seek out others while at the same time possess the inner strength and tools to handle it, to overcome or persevere it. Just remembering that, that knowing alone will get you through very stressful life’s curve balls without having to damage your health. YES – she’s a yogi, before being an academic.
Don’t know much about Western medicine’s remedy other than popping aspirins for pain relief …as that’s what the doctor advised …If you complain enough, they might even order MRI or CAT scans to eliminate the fear of THE WHAT IF? … recalling there was a time when I absolutely thought something is deadly wrong with me only to find out after all the tests and procedures – probably contributing to rising healthcare costs – nothing, absolutely nothing wrong. You are left to feel half relieved and half afraid that now maybe something is wrong with you mentally:) to think that something is wrong with you – crazy. Still the headache and pain persists. What do you do? Homeopathic medication? Herbs? What? Go completely vegan? Go fast? Go back to the quick fix of Advil?
These are the times … when Western or mainstream medicine seems not all that helpful – grandmas’ and aunties’ words from the Old Country, brushed off as not being scientific enough, make a come back as we revisit their Shaman-like remedies – coming from Eastern or at least age-old, if not ancient, Japanese grandma perspective, and add-on Iyengar based therapeutics – for common headaches (and I mean common not brain tumors:(
In this, may I say, Asian tradition, it is thought that most common headaches are caused by blockages and obstructions、or even stagnation of chi or prana. Seeing a line of patients in an acupuncture clinic my mother used to visit in Tokyo, seeing is believing – not a dramatic result like Advil or whatever other chemicals you use, but over time… it works. Slow … gradual and easy on your body. And mind. And Soul-ful.
So when I learned that some yoga styles are likened to a needle-less acupuncture, I was intrigued. While I am actually studying acupuncture theory, I am very curious how it can be brought into yoga practice so there could be some synergy to benefit from.
What causes those blockages and obstructions?
What helps alleviate headaches so that you can restore the natural rhythm of your vibrant ENERGY to flow unobstructed ?
Show up to my yoga class that blends what I’ve learned not only through print but from teachers and direct experience receiving and giving pain relief.
Tough to do in group classes but … will try to incorporate what I’ve learned so far in bits and pieces.
Cardios for respiratory and muscle training is of course very important – whether through yoga or by other means, I engage in them too as exercise is a vital part of our health maintenance. BUT, everything teeters on balancing all the elements of your makeup. When there’s over-enhancement in one part at the expense of another, your body will signal some distress. Let’s heed that distress signal and be kind to yourself. I see myself as the best guinea pig and while everyone is different with different Doshas and body-type, it’s especially helpful to learn from if not a complete opposite, but someone possessing a different dosha – a varied makeup – curiously, sometimes that sheds more light. There will be new findings that will apply to you even more, as a result of possessing a different dosha. So focusing on not how we are different, but focusing on what’s all the same that we share at the core.
I find myself chanting this every so often …
May you be happy
May you be healthy
May you live in ease
with Loving Kindness always at the heart:)
Finding Peace within.
ox