Looking for the things that bring us relief is key to resolving stress, as relief is an indication that we are headed in the right direction for the answers we desire and the solutions we are seeking. Most often we think of relief as a thing, a noun, an end result of some type of emotional journey. We don’t often think of it as a tool. And here is exactly where we will begin to examine this particular emotional state. I will also share 14 quick and easy tips to reduce stress.
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Relief is an indication that we are headed in the right direction.
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Dealing With Pain
You’ve probably heard someone say that it isn’t the falling down that is bad; it’s the things the body does in an attempt to keep us from falling that usually causes us injury. There is a similar theory that when we have emotionally traumatic events happen to us and we hold our breath, we create an emotional scar within that can continue to plague us as we go through life. What if we could prevent this from happening, or at least deal with the pain and release it so that it won’t be an issue as we move forward in life?
When we have a pain point in our lives, a natural human response is to hold ourselves; we hold our breath, hold our bodies, put a hold on our expectations, or on our hopes because we don’t yet know how to get beyond that pain and be in a good flow with life again. Holding ourselves appears to be a good idea, for we think it will give us a precious moment to evaluate our surroundings and get a grip on our situation. But holding one’s self means rigidity. It means tension. It is like a mighty shout-out that we are in a state of trauma, stress, or distress.
Tips To Reduce Stress
Here are 14 quick and easy tips to reduce stress:
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- Admit to yourself, others, or the Divine that you do not know how to resolve an issue; in doing this you become ready to surrender.
- Shift your body’s position to one of more comfort. By shifting your body to be more comfortable you send out cellular and energetic signals that you are claiming comfort.
- Shake your shoulders and upper torso with your arms limp and flopping around as they may, lift and then drop your shoulders, stretch, let your body go limp, or any other thing that to you means loosening up; this breaks the pattern or habit of holding and tells your subconscious that you are relaxed again.
- Take slow, deep breaths, especially if you notice you are doing shallow breathing or momentarily holding your breath, but also if you find yourself in an experience that makes you gasp and hold air. This shifts your cellular memory to one of flow (flowing breath) rather than blocked (holding breath).
- Practice looking for and noticing when you have a positive thought on a topic. Point out to yourself that this is a change, especially if you have tended to have more negative thoughts on this subject in the past.
- When you notice that you are thinking of a troubling topic, set it aside, and do something relaxing or distracting.
- Sigh; it prepares your body to acknowledge and express relief
- Yawn; it is your body expressing release, which is a relief
- Blow; if a negative thought pops into your mind, take a deep breath and then blow out firmly, strongly, forcefully, holding the intention that the negative thought is leaving and floating away on your out-breath
- Ask for help with something you don’t know how to resolve; this is surrender.
- Hold your arms open and downward and practice an energetic stance of releasing or surrender
- Hold your arms open and upward and practice an energetic stance of receiving or gratitude
- Notice the times when you are having a negative thought and reach for a higher feeling thought.
- Place a beautiful object in your personal space. Check-in with yourself regularly to see whether you have given it positive attention recently, or not. Use the object as a tool to bring relief into your being. When you feel stressed, or caught in negative thoughts, focus on this object, and notice and appreciate all the aspects of its beauty. Take note of why it brings you upliftment.
Introducing ways to induce relief is a tool to help us both in relieving stress and in softening us so that answers we are seeking can come to us. Doing one or more of these things builds the reflexes in your being. Building these reflexes will help you to release the stress of vicious cycles of thought and inner emotional persecution. Inducing relief can act as a trigger to get the ball rolling. Making it a practice to use these things to pivot will shorten the time it takes to feel positive emotions return, and to seeing beneficial results, and experiencing peace.
Cynthia’s Course
Are you ready to receive powerful ways to re-wire yourself for inner harmony and emotional wellbeing? Take my course! Emotional Intelligence: It’s Personal Not Business.
Other blog posts you may be interested in:
7 Secrets To Become Highly Resilient
16 Ways To Stop The Drama In Your Life