Whilst stress may be a natural symptom of our busy lives, it can also lead to severe health implications if left unchecked. Many people are unaware of how deeply stressed they are actually feeling on a daily basis and their stress levels can begin to increase as external pressures become increasingly difficult to control. It is first of all, vital to identify what is causing the stress and also identify the symptoms being experienced:
? Irregular sleeping patterns
? Feeling run down
? Unable to focus or concentrate
? Headaches
? Fear of losing control
? Stomach problems including Irritable Bowel Syndrome
? Feeling irritable and tense
? Neck and shoulder tightness
? Poor memory
? Confidence issues
Long term symptoms can also develop, for example:
? Ulcers
? Heart problems
? Cancer
Learning how to firstly recognize and then how to manage stress is paramount to regaining control and whilst we are unlikely to ever be able to eliminate stress from our lives completely, it is possible to make it less intrusive. A certain amount of stress however, can help us to function more sharply and react quickly to sometimes dangerous or extreme situations. Athletes for example face extreme stress when about to compete; the stress can help them to excel in a short term. Stress is of course tiring and harmful when it continually occurs over a long period of time and this is where it is most dangerous to our health and the solution has to be how we manage stress so that it does not became an issue or have a negative impact on our daily lives.
Learning how to react to stressful conditions is achievable by learning more about two therapies which have been proven to be beneficial and these are hypnotherapy and neuro linguistic programming (NLP).
Hypnotherapy helps the client to be able to focus on a particular problem or issue that they wish to change and the therapist then guides the client gently into a state very similar to deep relaxation.
NLP helps to associate ways of making changes to existing behaviors and focus's on learning how the client reacts to events on an individual level and how it can provide more positive and alternate ways of adapting to a new way of viewing life. Understanding how we react to certain situations is important so that we learn how to improve existing patterns.
Statistics from the 2006/07 survey of Self-reported Work-related Illness (SWI06/07) prevalence estimate indicated that around 530000 individuals in Britain believed in 2006/07 that they were experiencing work-related stress at a level that was making them ill, this is highly concerning and on an individual basis, needs to be addressed.
Whilst businesses need to learn how to help their workers manage stress, individuals do have to take ownership and responsibility to seeking out ways of coping with stress in a way that would be effective to them. Learning relaxation techniques, taking up yoga, incorporating more physical exercise into daily living can really help to ease the pressures of stress, but for quick, long-lasting and effective results, take time to seek out a qualified hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner combined.
Meditation is a journey deeper into your true self and home. It is for everyone, whatever our spiritual path, Eastern or Western. Meditation brings our attention inward and allows our mind to settle into calmness. Meditation trains our mind to hold steady in the Light and in that Light to be aware of our higher purpose, our mission in life.
Meditation focuses on maintaining quietness of our busy mind. The effect is to direct our concentration to one healing element ? one sound, one word, one image, or one's breath. When our mind is "filled" with the feeling of calm and peace, it cannot take off on its own and worry, stress out or get depressed.
During meditation, our whole body is in full relaxation, our heart rates and blood pressure stabilised. The benefits is that you get so calm and peaceful and you will be looking forward to it daily.
How Does Meditation Work?
Studies have shown that meditation can bring about a healthy state of relaxation by causing a generalized reduction in multiple physiological and biochemical markers, such as deceased heart rate, decreased respiration rate, decreased plasma cortisol, decreased pulse rate and increased EEG alpha, a brain wave associated with relaxation. Our body gains a state of profound rest.
During meditation, our blood pressure stays at "low level" but falls significantly for persons on medication with abnormally high levels of blood pressure.
Meditation reduces activity in the nervous system. Through meditation we can learn to access the relaxation response and to be aware of the mind and the way our attitudes produce stress. In calming the mind, meditation can also put one in touch with the inner physician, allowing our body's own inner wisdom to be heard.
Meditation is part of my yoga practice. When I meditate, I feel my life changes for the better. it calms me down and I manage my life better. I am able to handle problems better and manage stress more effectively. Through all these years of practicing meditation, I have been able to reap the positive influence on my life.
How To Meditate Effectively?
Ideally you should meditate in a quiet place, or a room with no distraction. Wear simple and comfortable clothes and remove your shoes when meditate. Try meditating in the same place every time because that will build up a calm meditative energy, making it easier each time to go within.
Guide to Meditation:-
1. Sit upright on your meditation mat with legs folded. Although you may feel rather uneasy initially, after a few sessions, you will feel at ease.
2. Straighten up your spine and close your eyes.
3. Using both your thumb and forefinger touching each other, place your hands on your knees, one on top of the other.
4. Take three full breaths through your nose, filling up your lower diaphragm and slowly letting it out, again through the nose.
5. Repeat your breath, always through the nose, feeling your breath go in and go out.
6. Feel your breath enter your body and where it goes inside, then feel it go out of your body again.
7. If your are distracted by a thought, gently bring back your mind to your breathing and start once more to feel the breathing, then the exhaling.
Through my personal experience, the best time to meditate is when air is fresh and environment is quiet early in the morning - between 6 A.M. to 6.30 A.M. However some people may prefer to meditate in the evening before they go to bed. The choice is yours, as long as you find it comfortable and effective.
It takes an experienced person to explain the wonderful, positive effects of meditation. Through the years of experience I had with meditation, I must say that it has uplifted me and changed my life positively. If you think of meditating, ten or fifteen minutes a day for a start can have a powerful effect on you. You will realize how smoothly your day flows and how it transforms you over a period of time.
To improve your meditation atmosphere, you may light incense or a candle. Incense creates a sensory memory that helps draw you inside. You may also sit on a small woolen mat that is only used for meditation and this helps to hold energy.
If you love to have some light incense for your meditation, I have some details; some scents encourage calm, while others promote vitality and energy. Sandalwood and frankincense soothe us and pull us inward. Tibetan monks are fond of using these for meditating and for religious events too. Rosewood, geranium, and lavender calm our fears and ease our anxieties.
The goodness of citrus scents like orange, lemon and lime is its great stimulation after meditation session. For a quick effect, place a few drops of orange blossom oil on a cotton ball and inhale. Peppermint and spearmint can be stimulating too.
Take the first step to meditate today for better health and younger you!
Both Terry Doherty & Janice H. are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Terry Doherty has sinced written about articles on various topics from Hypnotherapy, Management and Hypnotherapy. Terry works all over the UK working extensively with individual and business clients helping them stop smoking, manage weight, manage stress, become more confident and helping to create generative change. He uses the latest techniques of hypnosis and NLP.. Terry Doherty's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.
Janice H. has sinced written about articles on various topics from Energy Healing, Hypnotherapy and Food And Drink. Janice H. is an accountant, nutrition expert cum author. She shares with people around the world on HOW to live a true life to achieve: Happiness, Health and Youthfulness. Visit Janice's Blog at:. Janice H.'s top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.