When the Body Says No-The cost of hidden stress

Being in the helping field, my compassion for others can wear me down so from time to time I head off for day long workshops. This past Monday, I had the absolute delight of listening to Dr. Gabor Mate. He has written the books 'Scattered Minds" about ADD, "Hold On to Your Kids" and "When the Body Says No". He is the expert on the mind and body connection and the effects of stress on our bodies. http://www.whenthebodysaysno.ca/
Here are his characteristics of the stress-prone personality

• Difficulty saying no
• Automatic and impulsive regard for the needs of others without considering one's own
• Rigid and compulsive identification with duty, role, and responsibility rather than with true self
• Habitual repression or suppression of healthy anger and assertion
• Belief that you must never disappoint anyone.

I sure could see myself with some of those qualities! How about you?

The Joy of Quieting the Mind

Whenever I mention meditation to my clients, they look like they want to run out the door screaming. Meditation is not a big deal. It's something you can practice when you are doing other things, like waiting in line, sitting at a stoplight etc.
Take a long deep breath in through your nose right down to your belly. Exhale slowly by pulling your belly button towards your spine. Repeat this about 3 times and at the same time, pay attention to your breath. Notice how it feels going through your body and if a thought should come into your mind, just notice it without judgment and let it go.
Eureka! Calmer, more relaxed and more focused.
Kimberly Ryan has an awesome guided meditation CD. Visit her site and give it a listen
http://www.amomentformyself.com/purchase-cd.html

No More Rehashing the Old Stuff

"Stress is the trash of modern life-we all generate it but if you don't dispose of it properly. it will pile up and overtake your life"- Danzae Pace

According to a recent article in Moods magazine, our brain does not distinguish between an actual event and the emotions connected to the event. Every time we rehash and retell the story, our bodies are subjected to the same stress it experienced during the past event.
Think about it. Remember the last argument you had and when you told someone else the story, you got all upset again.
We don't need more studies on the link between stress and illness. We have been studying it since the late 1800's. It is now time for the thinkers in our society to start doing something different. In fact, it's time for employers to implement services that address stress as it happens.