How to reframe stress in 3 easy steps

Stress appears in all shapes and forms in our lives.  But do you know what causes stress? It’s the meaning we give to our situation.  "Really" you say, well just stay with me for a minute and I'll explain....
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If your car breaks down you could choose to judge the situation as “bad” and choose to feel angry and frustrated.  Your agitation puts your adrenal glands in ‘fight or flight’ mode, it pumps out cortisol, your digestive system shuts down, you pace the pavement, and you are hyped up.  

Alternatively, you could choose to withhold judgement, and choose to stay calm, call the breakdown service and meditate while you wait.

Things happen in our lives, sometimes as a response to our own actions, or the actions of others, or things happen just because they do!    We cannot control what happens, but we can choose how to respond to it. And how we respond affects the outcome.

Here is a simple technique which will help you to reframe stress:
Take 5 deep slow breaths, filling up your lungs and your belly like a balloon. This calms the autonomic nervous system.

1. Now reframe your response to the situation. Ask yourself these questions:
   1. What is the benefit of this situation?
   2. How will this serve me?
   3. What lessons am I getting that will help me in the future?
   4. What do I need to learn to move forward?
2. Did you know that expressing gratitude causes the brain to release a chemical called DHEA?  This chemical neutralises cortisol (the stress hormone). So start to focus on what you are grateful for:
   1. In this situation.
   2. Expand the gratitude to what you have at home, or the sunny day, for food in your tummy.
   3. Feel the feelings of gratitude (let gratitude lift your attitude) then the DHEA comes in.
3. Move your body – yes, go for a walk and physically move! It enables the body to clear the cortisol and pumps the DHEA chemical around your body, making you feel better.
4. ​

 Change the meaning – change the feeling – get a different outcome!

If you feel stressed and anxious and want to feel better, book a relaxation massage or hypnotherapy session with Elayne.    

The article above was inspired by this video.

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