MANAGING STRESS WITH COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES

What is Stress?

Stress can be defined as a feeling of not being in control, just reacting to events, and an uncomfortable underlying feeling that you are not coping well.  Stress can be a personal thing – what is stressful for one person can be stimulating for another.  Some stress in life is unavoidable but we can all learn ways of coping when it rears its head.

Recognising Stress in your Life

Believe it or not, some stress is good for you. It provides you with energy and motivation and improves your performance so that you are more likely to achieve your goals.  However prolonged stress can have a negative effect on your health.  It drains you of energy and leads to stress-related symptoms such as headaches particularly over forehead and temples; neck, shoulder and lower back pain; indigestion and digestive complaints; raised blood pressure which increases your risk of heart disease and stroke; anxiety and poor sleep; and weakened immunity and skin problems. When you are under pressure the adrenal glands release extra adrenalin and cortisol which flood throughout your body, in effect placing it in a state of ‘high alert’.

Self-Help Methods

Luckily a variety of different forms of stress relief are available, including relaxation techniques, self-help techniques and complementary therapies.

·        Deep Breathing:  When stressed, we tend to breathe in short gasps which makes the problem worse.  Next time you are stressed, try to consciously bring your breathing back under control. First breathe out every bit of air that you can. Then slowly breathe in through your nose, as low into your stomach and abdomen as possible, feeling your tummy expand. Breathe out through your mouth as slowly as you can.

·        10 Minute Soother:  One simple and effective way to help you cope with stress is to make it a practice to give yourself a 10 minute break at least twice a day. Sit comfortably, close your eyes and clear your mind. Now try visualising a tranquil scene such as a clear blue sky or a beautiful forest and feel yourself relax.

·        Positive Relaxation:  A number of specialised methods of relaxation are available such as yoga, meditation or try a self-hypnosis tape.

 

·        Chart Your Day:  It may be worth looking at how long you’re spending on different tasks to see if you can manage your time more effectively. Write a to-do list for the day and then compare this with what you actually achieve along with the time it took to do each task.  Allow yourself more time for tasks which take the longest time.

·        Balance your Life:  If you work with people, make sure your evenings and weekends include some quiet time alone for meditation or reading. If you work alone or are out of work, ensure that your leisure time includes contact with other people. Make sure you get plenty of fresh air at weekends.

·        Learn to Say No:  Stressed people often have difficulty saying no. Practice saying ‘No, sorry, I can’t work late tonight’. Put your own needs first more often and don’t be afraid to say ‘no’. If you are busy when someone phones, call them back later.

·        Exercise:  A great stress-buster which releases natural chemicals called endorphins that help combat the effects of stress. Try to exercise for half an hour three times a week. Suggestions include going to the gym, taking a brisk walk every day, cycling, swimming or taking up a dance class.

·        Set Realistic Goals:  Stressed people often feel trapped in jobs they hate, bad relationships etc. Set achievable, smaller goals and start to change your life little by little one step at a time.

 

·        Complementary Therapies:  Take a course of complementary therapy such as Reiki to help restore balance and harmony and boost inner strength or Reflexology to address the physical symptoms of stress.

 

·         Vitamin/Mineral Supplements:  Try rhodiola or a vitamin B complex to boost the nervous system. (Professional advice is available from your local health store.)
 

Benefits of Stress Relief

Once you incorporate these suggestions into your life, the body can start to revert back to its normal, healthy state. Your heart rate will slow down, blood pressure will normalise, muscular tension will ease and you will feel fewer nagging aches and pains, your sleep will improve, you will breathe more easily, your concentration will improve, you will be more patient with people around you and you will be less susceptible to illnesses such as colds and flu.

 

Notes:

1.    Complementary therapy treatments mentioned in this article (Reiki and Reflexology) are available with Helen Shortland priced £30 and £28 respectively.

2.    Vitamin/mineral supplements are available from Little London Herbal Stores, 9 Kings Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2AE or visit website www.all-ages-vitamins.co.uk

 

 

Helen Shortland is a Reiki Master Teacher, Meditation Teacher and Holistic Therapist based at Little London Herbal Stores on Kings Walk in Nottingham city centre. Please ring her on 07748 591690 to book a treatment or visit her website http://helenshortland.com for further information.

 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE SPIRITUAL TODAY?

The word ‘spiritual’ derives from the Latin ‘spiritus’ meaning ‘breathing’ or ‘the breath’.  The spirit is the animating or life-force principle.  Spirit is the spark of life we have within us.  It is often said that we are spiritual beings living in a physical body.  There is a part of us, a spiritual essence, that co-exists with our physical body which connects us to the spiritual or life-giving energy of the universe.

Spirituality can be defined as:-

·       Becoming aware of our spirit and thereby becoming aware of our potential for growth and enlightenment, sensing that our lives have a purpose.

·       Recognising the God force within us and therefore our connection to the Source/Creator/All that is.

·       Recognising that we are no longer separate and alone but are in fact all connected to one another.  We learn from each other, attracting and reflecting the experiences, people and situations we need in order to learn and grow.

·       Recognising that we have a spirit that needs nurturing through meditation, positive thoughts and acts of love and kindness.

·       A willingness to practice forgiveness and develop tolerance and compassion, knowing that only love can heal and bring peace to the individual and to the world.

 

What Spirituality is Not

The proof of spirituality is in how you live your routine day to day life.  It is not about how many attunements you have had, courses you have attended, how many Reiki treatments you’ve received or given, or even how psychic you are.  Some of the most spiritual people live quiet lives, simply taking responsibility for themselves, and being honest, modest and kind to others.  Taking responsibility for yourself simply means making your own decisions, taking credit for your successes and being answerable for your mistakes.  In other words, it is living your life, making mistakes and learning from them.  The end result is a much more well-rounded person who has acquired a sense of what is truly important in life.

 

Personal Responsibility

We are living at a time of great awakening.  Spirituality is no longer seen as only going hand in hand with religion.  Enlightenment and the experience of oneness are no longer only available to a select special few.  Much is changing in our world at the present time with the decline in traditional religion and the burgeoning interest in spiritual practices such as meditation.  Spirituality connects us to the sense of oneness and unity that lies behind and beyond all the different religious traditions.

Spiritual awareness and the responsibility for personal growth are coming back to rest upon the individual.  We are responsible for our own spiritual development.  Our potential for enlightenment, our spirituality, lies within, and through our own inner work we will find it.

 

A Final Note Regarding Spiritual Teachers

There is a well-known saying, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.”  When you find your spiritual teacher, it is important to remember not to give away your own personal power.  You should always discriminate and take responsibility for yourself and not just take for granted anything anyone tells you, whoever they seem to be.  What is true for one person will not be true for everyone else.  Only take from them that which resonates with you and rings true at the time, for that is what you need right now.  You already have within yourself everything you need – a teacher will only help you to find it.

Helen Shortland is a Reiki Master Teacher, Meditation Teacher and Holistic Therapist based at Little London Herbal Stores on Kings Walk in Nottingham city centre. Please ring her on 07748 591690 to book a treatment or visit her website http://helenshortland.com for further information.