Stress
Home » LIONS » Program » Stage 4- Biohack the Fountain of Youth » Stress
Stress
The damaging effects of stress on the body
ELEMENT 4.3: STRESS
“You can’t always control what goes on outside, but you can always control what goes on inside.”
–Wayne Dyer
YOUR PERCEPTION
In our productivity-obsessed society, it seems we never get a chance to simply rest, relax, and rejuvenate. We are on the go all the time. However, this is not how our bodies and minds are meant to operate. We’ve become victims of the pressures of a competitive modern consumerist society that says: “If you snooze, you lose.”
Consider a wild animal. On the surface, its life appears to be far more stressful than ours because its very survival is under constant threat from predators. For it, life is always a life-and-death struggle.
The truth is, though, that our lives are far more stressful than theirs, because our human brain reacts in exactly the same way to perceived or imagined threats as it does to real physical ones.
YOUR MINDSET
Luckily, our lives are rarely in danger. We don’t have to be on the lookout every second for some animal larger than us that wants to eat us. And muggers aren’t hiding in every bush as we walk to the shops. However, we are constantly running “imaginary threats” through our heads that trigger our body’s stress-response mechanisms, as though our life was indeed in danger.
Stress is the root cause of almost every chronic ailment. It puts more strain on our physical body and psychological well-being than anything else our lives.
However, by changing our mindset, we can stop poisoning our body with negative thoughts and feelings and allow our body to heal itself. This is more easily done than you might think—but it does take time and effort. That is why, in this stage of the program, we will work on the health of your digestive system, mind, and energetic body.
“When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.”
–Winston Churchill
YOUR MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
Recent breakthroughs in the study of quantum physics have shown that the effect of stress—i.e., the thoughts in our heads and the feelings in our bodies—affect the molecular structure of our cells. Scientists now believe that stress is the primary cause of most, if not all, chronic medical conditions, including heart disease, cancer, depression, skin disorders, and more.
In our brains, stress drastically reduces our cognitive function, and in our bodies, it plays havoc with our energy levels.
Stress can be especially damaging not just because of the way it affects our cells, but also because when we’re stressed, we are more likely to make poor choices, like eating unhealthy “comfort” foods, smoking, drinking, or taking drugs.
YOUR MAIN TYPES OF STRESS
There are three main types of stress:
- Physical stress is the physical demand we place on our body. Some physical stress, such as aerobic and anaerobic exercise, is good for us because it strengthens our body’s ability to heal. However, if we push ourselves to exhaustion and don’t get enough restorative sleep, the reverse is true. We literally “wear out” our cells because we are not giving our body a chance to recover.
- Chemical stress is a result of the pathogens and toxins we consume, as well as the pathogens and toxins that come into contact with our skin. For example, pollution and alcohol intake both add to chemical stress.
- Emotional stress is caused by anxious or negative thought patterns, as well as our physical reactions to external events—such as nervousness creating “butterflies” in the stomach or fear causing the heart to beat faster.
YOUR RESOLUTION
The third type of stress—emotional stress—is a bit more challenging to address. We have to find a way to manage these thought-triggered feelings and their effect on our bodies. Here are seven practical ways to reduce the harmful effects of emotional stress in your life.
- Meditate.
By calming your mind, you can dispassionately observe your thoughts and notice when they’re becoming unrealistically fearful or anxious. Meditation allows you to step back from the voices in your head and observe which ones are empowering you and which ones may be harmful.
- Practise gratitude.
Research has shown that people who feel more gratitude have enhanced overall well-being and are more satisfied with their lives. Gratitude also improves our social connections, because when we show gratitude to others, they’re more likely to want to continue their relationship with us. People who practise gratitude experience fewer physical ailments, exercise more frequently, and sleep more soundly.
Given how powerful gratitude is, it’s worth spending time on these daily practices:
- At the beginning of each day, write down three things you are grateful for.
- Make sure to tell someone in your life how much you appreciate them.
- Undertake one conscious act of kindness each day—perhaps reaching out to a loved one, buying coffee for a friend, or helping a stranger.
- Live in the moment.
Emotional stress exists in the form of worry, anxiety, and fear (when we’re contemplating the future) or in resentment, anger, and blame (when we’re looking back on the past). However, in the present moment, there is very rarely anything that is too overwhelming to face. Our “right now” is generally very manageable, and we can take great pleasure in it if we don’t become distracted by thoughts of the past or the future.
The psychology of mindfulness has gained enormous respect and momentum in the past decade. Mindfulness is what we call “living in the moment,” and it is a very powerful centring tool every leader can greatly benefit from. So how can you be more mindful in your day-to-day life? You might try:
- Paying attention to the physical sensations around you: the feeling of brushing your teeth, or the coolness of a breeze through the window.
- Instead of filling every moment with activity, try being still and noticing your thoughts when you’re waiting in line or stuck in traffic. Instead of rushing through the moment, observe how it feels to exist in the moment.
- In the morning, instead of rushing to your phone or laptop, simply eat breakfast and appreciate the sight and smell of your food.
- Forgive.
When we forgive, we rid ourselves of burdens that do not serve us. Forgiveness is a transformative practice that has a ripple effect on everyone in your ecosystem.
Studies have shown that forgiveness leads to improved mental health, lower blood pressure, and a stronger immune system. So, how can you access the benefits of forgiveness?
- Practise empathy. When offended or irritated by another person, take a moment to view the situation from their point of view.
- Reflect on the moments when you’ve hurt others and how it felt to be forgiven for your actions.
- Write in a journal or talk to a counsellor about events in the past that have bothered you and which you find you have trouble shaking off.
- Practise acceptance.
Why is acceptance powerful? Because it changes your perceptions. When you change how you perceive something, you empower yourself to act differently and to find new solutions to old problems.
Acceptance means facing all aspects of your life, both the positive and negative ones. Many people perceive acceptance as involving passivity or defeat, but actually it is quite the opposite. When we practise acceptance, it helps us move toward meaningful change.
For example, if we accept that a situation is negative and that we cannot change it, we can then stop struggling with our feelings and choose to move out of that situation. Conversely, if we accept that a situation is negative but that we do have the power to change it, we gain the courage to take the necessary steps to address it.
Acceptance is a powerful tool that you can use to fully understand your life and act with courage and clarity.
- Act with courageousness.
When we live fear-based lives, we shut off important opportunities and connections that can potentially transform us. Thus, it’s important to always act with courage.
Acting with courage does not mean never feeling afraid; what it means is going ahead with what you want to do even when doing so brings up feelings of fear and anxiety. To act with courage, we must acknowledge our vulnerability, embrace a positive mindset, and move forward even when we know our efforts might fail.
Remembering our past moments of courage can help us when we find ourselves in very challenging times. These memories can give us momentum and help us avoid undue emotional stress.
- Breathe deeply.
Deep, invigorating breaths are the quickest way to reduce stress, calm your nervous system, and slow your heart rate. Try using the Power Breath technique:
- Breathe in slowly through both nostrils to the count of five.
- Take the breath down low into your belly, not into your chest.
- Hold the breath for a count of 15.
- Then breathe out through your mouth for a count of 10, completely emptying your lungs.
Do three Power Breaths any time you feel overwhelmed. And even if you’re not overwhelmed, practise this type of breathing at least three times a day to help regulate and calm your nervous system.
OOPS!
YOU NEED ACCESS TO VIEW THIS.
Book your free 30-minute strategy call with me.
"Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."
-George Bernard Shaw
The LIONS program is a unique and holistic approach to leadership. In the program you’ll learn how to utilise tools, strategies, and mindsets to reinvent yourself and become the extraordinary leader you were meant to be.
Book your free 30-minute strategy call with me to learn how the LIONS program can help you.