Author : L. John Mason
The Power of Now. This is the title of a book that requires reflection and introspection. The value of this book's philosophy is very personal but it does reflect an important universal truth.Most people's stress can be related to the their mind wandering to and then dwelling in the past or into the future. We can easily get caught reliving some difficult situation from our past memory. This memory can have a great deal of power and elicit the flight/fight response just as the original experience create a major response. This past response does not even have to have been traumatic, but the re-experience can still feel life threatening.The future is unknown. The unknown creates a fearful response for many people. When we project ourselves into the unknown future, we can create the uneasiness that will trigger our sub-conscious survival mechanisms. As an example, imagine that you were asked to speak to a group of world leaders, offering your proposals for world peace. It is a great opportunity, but most of us would feel some significant level of stress. Chances are good that if we were actually in this situation, our lives would not be threatened by these leaders, but our body responds as if this were a life or death situation.Remember, our body has only one way to respond and this involves the triggering of our primitive survival mechanism, the flight-fight response.Learning to re-engage and to live in the present moment can not only put things back into perspective, it can help to minimize our stress response. If you can be in your body in a positive way, you can change your response to stress and get back in control. With practice it only takes a few seconds, but can be a the difference from getting a distracting headache, an upset stomach, or having an over active mind that does allow you to rest at night.The following simple (but powerful) exercise can give you needed control over your stress response. Remember to bring your mind back into the present moment as you focus on this technique.Remember to breathe!This will help to keep you in your body in a positive way and in present time! Distractions will surface, but gently return your mind's focus to the process of slowly breathing.... inhale then exhale. You may even want to feel for cool air as you inhale and warm air in the breath you exhale. Imagine that as you exhale you can begin to release distracting thoughts, pain or discomfort, even anxiety. Some people will even be able to imagine that with every breath they can take another step down into comfort and relaxation. With every additional breath you allow yourself to let go of stress and slowly drift deeper into control.It requires practice and some discipline, but this will work for you. Try it!Do not let the smaller stresses carry you off into dysfunction or despair. It takes practice, but you will learn to not get sucked in to unnecessary anxiety.Try this. It can really work well for you.Please take good care of yourself.L. John Mason, Ph.D. is the author of the best selling "Guide to Stress Reduction." Since 1977, he has offered Executive Coaching and Training.Please visit the Stress Education Center's website at http://www.dstress.com for articles, free ezine signup, and learn about the new telecourses that are available. If you would like information or a targeted proposal for training or coaching, please contact us at (707) 795-2228.If you are looking to promote your training or coaching career, or for a new career, please investigate the Professional Stress Management Training and Certification Program for a secondary source of income or as career path.
Keyword : stress, stress management, anxiety, fear, mind, performance, productivity
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