Stress affects all humans one way or another. In our modern society, we over exposed to information in a whole new way, making silence and relaxation more challenging to experience. When we find ourselves in a state of overwhelm, it can be helpful to first acknowledge what we are feeling, allowing ourselves to feel it fully, but then find a reframing thought to help us change our PERCEPTION of the situation, which is often the only aspect we have control over. There is often a gift or opportunity to be found in our challenging circumstance and if we can shift our focus to that, it can offer us a calmer, less overwhelming way to move through life. You can use your body to help guide you into this reframing thought. When you are sitting in a state of fear, overwhelm, and stress, you will notice a constriction somewhere in your body- usually your chest or stomach. When you find the reframing thought to change the story in your mind, you will feel that constriction release, allowing for a more expansiveness and improved flow of Qi in your body. Acupuncture, herbs, and Qi Gong can also help you achieve stress reduction as well. Here is a research study showing the effectiveness of stress reduction with acupuncture. This is only one of many.
Qi Gong offers stress support as well. Join Qigong Trainer Terry Leers as he shares with you his personal insight into how to stay balanced, relaxed, and come from the heart during times of stress, using breath-work, visualization, and Qi-ssage to live a life in the “parasympathetic nervous system zone.”
“Where your thoughts go your Qi flows”. This is a major concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is the idea that where we put our focus and attention, we direct the flow of our Qi to that area. This can be put into very practical application by putting all your attention and focus on your 4th toe when you have a headache that is on the side of your head (a ShaoYang type headache). Or if you are feeling anxious, put your attention on the bottom of your feet, specifically Kidney 1 point to ground and anchor your Qi.
But the meaning goes even deeper. Where are you putting your focus internally in your thoughts and stories throughout the day? What you focus on grows. If we focus on what we do NOT want, we are putting ourselves into a state of resistance and Qi Stagnation. We of course all do this, but if we can notice it, acknowledge this, and then put our focus and attention on what we DO WANT or better yet, what we already have that we are grateful for, we put ourselves into a state of flow and ease. If you find yourself spiraling, put your focus and attention over the heart, specifically Ren 17 point and breath into your heart space for just 2 minutes and notice how that can slow your mind. If you can walk outside while taking deep breaths of fresh air, feeling your heart space, and filling it up with fresh air and Qi, even better.
A general herbal formula that you can utilize if your stress levels are high is Stress Remedy from Pure Synergy. Feel free to swing by the clinic and grab this if you need extra support.
Picture from Pure Synergy