Unmanaged Stress Kills and Ruins Lives! Sit a Bit
When I pay attention, I clearly see the arresting ways God works in my life. Often people I meet in my programs (or elsewhere) give me such profound, relevant messages I know the hand of God is at work and it is to my peril to ignore such directives. Two such recent encounters helped release me from the bondage of undue stress. In a recent workshop I facilitated I spoke with one woman at the day's end who looked sorely overwhelmed. As we spoke she began listing all she had to do today; all she had accomplished yesterday; and the endless list still needing to be done. As I gently queried this bright, enthused woman she began to see she was doing too much. What really had to be done today? After a very full, all-day workshop could she just go home and give herself some down time and trust she'd accomplish what really needed to be done in good time? My parting words to her that night were "Easy does it." As she left, I saw the gift she had given me. Hadn't I just been feeling overwhelmed with new work I had taken on, plus a host of other life decisions all seeming to demand my attention NOW? What Really Needs to be Done Today? Like this woman, I too was doing more in one day than necessary plus, worrying about all the future tasks to be done. As Jesus admonished us in the Beatitudes "Do not borrow trouble from tomorrow..." If you are feeling pressured, overwhelmed and stressed - it is time to stop and ask, "What really needs to be done today?" Also, "How much energy am I wasting worrying about the future?" We need to allow what we have done to be enough and to trust we have the time we need. Unmanaged Stress Kills Another client not long ago drove home the importance of managing stress in our lives. I approached this person one day after the program as he seemed withdrawn and resistant. Sadly, this remarkably gifted man had lost all confidence in his talents to pursue a possible dream in design (although others remarked on the genius he'd applied to his own home). Near tears, he also revealed how he had nearly died from a chronic debilitating disease caused by extreme stress. With chilling clarity, this man's demise and hopelessness showed me the dangers of eroding oneself with excessive worry, stress and self-doubt (which as humans we all slip into from time to time.) Loudly, this message spoke to me of the importance of managing stress, giving ourselves much needed breaks, trusting in the timing of things, and being on our own side. Pressuring ourselves to do more or worrying about what must be done does not alleviate the underlying feelings of inadequacy and fear. Rather than pushing ourselves to do more or allowing negative self-talk to erode us can we instead sit a bit with ourselves? Sit a Bit This can be a challenge because often it is exactly these scary feelings and thoughts we are trying to escape! Try sitting and breathing and accepting this wholly human condition. Let us give our precious selves some kindness and compassion when these driven, crazy-making moments arise. Breathing? Letting go? Trusting in a perfect timing? As we sit with ourselves we need to do so without expectations. We don't have to get it right or achieve some special state. We simply practice kindness toward ourselves and acknowledge our uncomfortable or painful feelings. Herein, old habits begin to dissolve of their own accord. Also, from this place we can more clearly make decision about what our true priorities are and put first things first. In an interview with Mahatma Ghandi; Ghandi said he meditated two hours each day. The interviewer asked, "What do you do when you are too busy to meditate?" Gandhi replied, "Mediate four hours a day." Clearly, taking the time to sit with ourselves is a priority especially when we are far too busy or stressed to do so! Teresa Proudlove has been inspiring, supporting, and guiding over 3000 people upon their career and life work path for over fourteen years - with compassion and heart. Teresa's workshops and writing, offer a deeper understanding and respect for ourselves, for others, and for our lifework path. This entrepreneurial woman also owned and successfully operated two women's retail boutiques for ten years. For over twelve years, Teresa was a well-read newspaper columnist. Visit Teresa at http://www.yourlifework.com; listen to your inner guidance and navigate through life and work with more meaning, acceptance and peace.
MORE RESOURCES:
Women with Bay Area roots take yoga to BeijingSan Francisco Chronicle, USA - 16 hours agoThis is the refuge San Francisco native Robyn Wexler and Stanford graduate Mimi Kuo-Deemer envisioned when they opened Yoga Yard, believed to be China's ... |
amNewYork |
After hours yoga classesamNewYork, New York - 2 hours agoBy K. Emily Bond | Special to amNewYork The Laughing Lotus, located on 19th st in Manhattan, hosts "Midnight Yoga" sessions Friday nights. ... |
Boycotting BikramChicago Tribune, United States - 30 minutes agoThis is in response to the Bikram Yoga founder (Bikram Choudhury) interview by Julie Deardorff ("Yoga's top dog oversees a hot commodity," Tempo, Aug. 20). ... |
Smitty's NotesWinston-Salem Journal, NC - 21 hours agoAfter nearly seven years of friendly competition, two great yoga studios—with similar styles, philosophies and aesthetics—are combining into one ... |
Events happening in southwestern MichiganKalamazoo Gazette - MLive.com, MI - 8 hours agoThe class links yoga postures with the current of the breath. All levels of experience are welcome. Donations are requested. www.sanghayoga.com. ... |
News in BriefGeorgetown Record, MA - 4 hours agoPGH Kids Yoga studio at 52 Central St., Georgetown, is offering yoga mini camps and classes. For more information, visit www.pghkidsyoga.com or call 978.352 ... |
Events for mothers, children and familiesAlexandria Town Talk, LA - 15 hours agoOffered by J. William Hedrick, MD, a certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher. Parent/Child Classes are Tuesdays at 9 am and Thursdays at 6 pm Each class lasts 60 ... |
Yoga - Google News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Coping with Change: Develop Your Personal Strategy
Why do we resist change?
As the saying goes, the only people who like change are busy cashiers and wet babies. We find change disorienting, creating within us an anxiety similar to culture shock, the unease visitors to an alien land feel because of the absence of the familiar cues they took for granted back home.
Stress Management and Mastery: Practicing Perspective
Q. I wonder if you could help me with a problem that just seems to be getting worse.
Stress Management: Problem Land or Solution Land
In my experience, most of us spend a lot more time living in problem land, griping and complaining, than we do in solution land, working hard and enjoying solving problems.It's almost become a national past time.
5 Steps to Stress Relief
Take a moment to think about the week that just passed. Are your first thoughts of long hours at work, driving your kids to every kind of practice imaginable, hurrying to make dinner, clean the house, do laundry, vacuum and wash dishes? Is it any wonder that in today's busy world, more and more women suffer from stress-induced anxiety than ever before?If you often find yourself struggling with the effect stress has on your physical and emotional well-being, follow the following 5 steps to stress relief:1.
Sometimes C.O.P.I.N.G Is All We Can Do
We strive for excellence in our lives, going at full throttle, but sometimes we are faced with a situation where all we do is "hurry up and wait".That's when we need to learn about coping.
Aromatherapy Candles Release Stress
Have you been feeling so stressful and almost losing your patience over anything? Everything seems to be shattered and you think that you cannot handle it anymore. This is definitely the perfect time to lighten the burden! Aromatherapy is a great conclusion.
Stress Management--Getting the Better of the Daily Grind
There are many kinds of daily grinds. In the U.
10 Ways to Benchmark Workplace Stress
With almost 50% of workers complaining that their jobs are very stressful, it is no surprise that more than two-thirds of all medical problems are stress related.Each day, workplace stress is credited with more than a million absences and at least 40% of all personnel turnover.
Workplace Stress: What to Do During Down Times?
The main problem in a down economy is that workplaces tend to become stressful and morale bottoms out. This reduces overall productivity and especially gets in the way of teamwork.
Stress Management: Are You a Diamond or a Lump of Coal?
"Do you want to be a lump of coal or do you want to be a diamond?"
That's the first question I ask to begin my stress management seminar called "A Diamond is Nothing More Than a Lump of Coal That Handled Stress Very Well."We seem to have some interesting misconceptions about the stress in our lives.
Entertaining Without Stress
Let's face it. If you are stressed, agitated and flitting about, your guests will be uncomfortable and won't be able to relax.
Avoiding Stress During the Busy Holiday Shopping Season with eCardica.com
Lake Hopatcong, NJ (PRWEB) November 30, 2004 -- Here are a few tips and tricks for lessening your woes during the hustle and bustle of the gift-giving season. Each year, thousands of shoppers are plagued with undue stress.
Stress Symptoms
Stress relief and managementRecognizing stress symptoms can be a positive influence in that we're compelled to take action. The sooner the better.
Seven Simple Steps to a Stress-Free Start
Most of us lead busy lives, trying to successfully juggle the responsibilities of home and work and personal interests into one cohesive happy life. There is nothing that could better start your busy day than having a smooth stress-free morning.
Dialing M For Mindfulness
Looking for mindfulness? Who ya gonna call?Try dialing M.It's easy to be mindful.
The Scoop on Stress and Exercise
Stress is defined as a response by your body to any demand made upon it and a 'demand' means a change.Did you know different stress levels have names? For example "Neutral" stress is the amount of work it takes to maintain normal body function.
Worry: Do We Have A Choice?
As Montaigne said, "he who fears he will suffer, already suffers because of his fears." We pay a huge cost for worrying, physically, mentally and emotionally; yet research shows that it affects most of us in some way.
Tame Your Work Stress
Work stress has become a major problem today. The nature of work is changing at whirlwind speed.
How to Say No and Let Go of Stress
It was one of the first words you learned to say and you used it at every opportunity. Until someone convinced you that you couldn't, or shouldn't.
Intelligent Emotions
We so often take the feelings of happiness and saddness for granted. Why do we even have such feelings inside us at all? Well if you've ever asked yourself that question then perhaps you will find an answer here that resonates with you.
|
