The symptoms of stress are many and varied. How do you experience stress? Headache? Muscle tension? Stomachache? Some people have more physical symptoms, others have more emotional ones, such as crying, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness and depression. All of these are "normal", but they are unpleasant, to be sure. Since stress is an inevitable part of life, is it worth considering how to respond to it in ways that serve to increase our health, reduce and relieve the stress where we can and manage it where we can't. One of the best ways to begin addressing stress in a healthy way is to learn about the practice of mindfulness.
Mindfulness is an ancient practice that has gotten a lot of attention in the last few years. You may have heard of mindfulness-based stress reduction, or mindfulness meditation. But what does this really mean? The easiest way to understand mindfulness is with this definition: Nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment. In other words, "tuning in" to your inner experience without imposing any evaluation on it. This is challenging, which is why it is called "Practice"! Similarly, meditation can be thought of as a clearing of the mind, a focus on the inner state or focus on one word, phrase or image (this is often called Contemplation). The ultimate goal is to calm the mind so that one can feel more peaceful and able to manage life's challenges. The path to this goal is often strewn with challenges: "Monkey Mind" (thoughts jumping around), physical jitteriness or other types of distractions.
A generation ago, it would have been rare to hear the terms "yoga" and "mental health" in the same sentence. Now it is common. Yoga is recognized as a powerful method of improving one's mental and physical health, and comes in many forms that can be tailored for individual needs. The physical forms of yoga ("hatha") are excellent for increasing strength, flexibility and stamina. The mind-focused aspects of yoga have potential to improve clarity of mind and focus. In fact, the physical asanas of yoga were developed thousands of years ago to help settle and prepare the body and mind for meditation. Many people report feeling more at peace after practicing mindfulness within a yoga session.
Meditation, mindfulness and yoga reduce stress by first making us aware of it in a new way. Tuning in to how you feel and not making judgments is not an end point, but a place to start. What you learn about yourself from meditation will help you see more clearly where the stressors are in your life and focus your mind on a healthy response to these stressors. You might try a short meditation in the early morning when you wake up, and a short meditation before you go to bed in the evening. Even just two minutes of sitting silently and quietly tuning in to how you feel can offer unexpected benefits. Physical practices such as yoga or Pilates can help us discharge pent up tension in our nervous systems, which in terms calms the mind. The focus on breathing and self-care (such as sleeping and eating well) reinforce the path to a healthier lifestyle while helping us feel better in the moment.
Stress is a fact of life. Reducing and managing stress are critical for all of us. Mindfulness, meditation and yoga will not solve all of life's ills but they do have the potential to improve your responses to stress, increase your peace of mind and help you build a healthier life. It's never too late to start.
Mindfulness is an ancient practice that has gotten a lot of attention in the last few years. You may have heard of mindfulness-based stress reduction, or mindfulness meditation. But what does this really mean? The easiest way to understand mindfulness is with this definition: Nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment. In other words, "tuning in" to your inner experience without imposing any evaluation on it. This is challenging, which is why it is called "Practice"! Similarly, meditation can be thought of as a clearing of the mind, a focus on the inner state or focus on one word, phrase or image (this is often called Contemplation). The ultimate goal is to calm the mind so that one can feel more peaceful and able to manage life's challenges. The path to this goal is often strewn with challenges: "Monkey Mind" (thoughts jumping around), physical jitteriness or other types of distractions.
A generation ago, it would have been rare to hear the terms "yoga" and "mental health" in the same sentence. Now it is common. Yoga is recognized as a powerful method of improving one's mental and physical health, and comes in many forms that can be tailored for individual needs. The physical forms of yoga ("hatha") are excellent for increasing strength, flexibility and stamina. The mind-focused aspects of yoga have potential to improve clarity of mind and focus. In fact, the physical asanas of yoga were developed thousands of years ago to help settle and prepare the body and mind for meditation. Many people report feeling more at peace after practicing mindfulness within a yoga session.
Meditation, mindfulness and yoga reduce stress by first making us aware of it in a new way. Tuning in to how you feel and not making judgments is not an end point, but a place to start. What you learn about yourself from meditation will help you see more clearly where the stressors are in your life and focus your mind on a healthy response to these stressors. You might try a short meditation in the early morning when you wake up, and a short meditation before you go to bed in the evening. Even just two minutes of sitting silently and quietly tuning in to how you feel can offer unexpected benefits. Physical practices such as yoga or Pilates can help us discharge pent up tension in our nervous systems, which in terms calms the mind. The focus on breathing and self-care (such as sleeping and eating well) reinforce the path to a healthier lifestyle while helping us feel better in the moment.
Stress is a fact of life. Reducing and managing stress are critical for all of us. Mindfulness, meditation and yoga will not solve all of life's ills but they do have the potential to improve your responses to stress, increase your peace of mind and help you build a healthier life. It's never too late to start.
About the Author:
Yoga is a union between physical health and mental health. Mindfulness, meditation, and yoga are all key tools in your mental health toolbox.
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