Isn’t it ironic that so much depression occurs around the holidays – theoretically the time of joy and goodwill? Not to mention all out, over the top stress. And dread - the feeling you just have to hold on tight and make it through to the New Year.
We’re so tuned into meeting everyone’s expectations, demands, wishes, and requests, we hardly take time to consider what we truly want.
When my husband began teaching Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR), I was eager to take one of his 10-week courses. I know that MBSR is a highly effective way to reduce medical symptoms, manage chronic pain, ease stress, and relieve psychological distress based on more than 30 years of proven medical research.
Honestly, few of us escape the ravages of stress in modern life. Stress has without question played an overbearing role in my own life. Post traumatic stress has etched unhelpful grooves into my brain that can sometimes turn on alarm bells at the least provocation. Fortunately, we now have tools like MBSR to retrain and rewire the brain and modulate the stress response.
To beat stress, the first step is to know your stress. At the start of the MBSR course, I received a simple, open-ended “Stress Assessment” to complete. I took my time – a few days, actually – to explore all the causes of stress in my life.
One of the drawbacks of the internet is the way it exponentially increases the opportunity to compare yourself to others.
Instead of having a relatively small circle of friends, acquaintances, and co-workers, you may literally be exposed to hundreds of new people in any given week.
Have you ever noticed how it can seem like everyone in the blogosphere is so brilliant, leading an epic life, in touch with their true self, bold beyond belief, a fountain of unconditional love, and making loads of money to boot!
Whenever you suddenly feel like you are shrinking in the midst of all these bright lights, it’s time to put on the brakes.
Hi, I'm Sandra Pawula, freelance editor, writer and inner explorer. I'm here to help you tap into your inner spring of true happiness and freedom.Curious? Read On!
