Stress is just a word, neither good nor bad.  It can be a great impetus for action. Think “stress” and adrenaline starts pumping, energizing the entire body.  Only when prolonged or carried to an extreme does chaos ensue.  Stress is an attitude, an illusion, our reaction to something we think is askew.  When we want things to be other than they are we create stress for ourselves and those around us.  Challenges take us out of our comfort zone, provide interesting opportunities and encourage growth.  In The Tao of Pooh, Benjamin Hoff writes, “Working in harmony with life’s circumstances, Taoist understanding changes what others may perceive as negative into something positive.”  Seen in its true light everything has a function. When we let go of expectations and judgements, especially in times of difficulty, balance is restored.  

Observe what is happening around you.  The boss, co-worker or family member is venting their anger.  It is not yours.  Once you recognize this, the anger’s ability to affect you, you will dissipate. You may need to take responsibility for something you have done or not done but whether you get stressed about it is your choice. 

Slow down, you will actually get more done.  If you are rushing for something, you have already put yourself and those around you, especially those waiting for you, under pressure. If you get held up unavoidably, recognize that you are going to be late and restructure your day.  Make a decision about what can be done in the given amount of time, then let the rest go, (mentally, emotionally and energetically). 

Go for a walk in solitude to a green space. Speed walk at first, if you need to burn off pent up energy.  Then slow your pace and your breathing.  Meander or just sit and feel the rhythms of nature.  Listen with your whole body.  Relax and like a pebble settling in a pond, let your breathing and awareness settle to your lower abdomen.  In nature it is easy to be calm.  Now take this feeling into your workplace and home.

Structure your day and environment to be calm.  Be realistic about what you can expect of yourself.  Less is definitely more: less rushing, less emotional reacting, less thinking/over thinking, less obsessing. Don’t try to do it all right now.  Be patient.

Put coping mechanisms into place so that when things/people are spinning around you,  you don’t spin.  Take hara or deep abdominal breathing classes at health centres or yoga studios. Take a yoga, tai chi, or qi gong class.

Find a treatment/therapist that combines body and energy work to help you restore balance until you can learn to do it for yourself: Zen Shiatsu, reflexology, osteopathy, there are many modalities.  A gentle chiropractic approach with a full-spectrum fits the bill for many people as well. (A Dr. Gelber addition to this article) Find the one you are intuitively drawn to, a therapist with integrity, who provides a safe environment for you to work out your process, to heal. 

There can be a tendency to blame others, they did this, said that to upset you. Ultimately all comes back to the self. The responsibility is yours. Take it and you won’t react.

Create a sacred space, a corner at work, a patch in the garden and take time to meditate and to develop awareness, learn to balance within and just be. By doing this you will be more focused at work, in creative endeavours and calmer with loved ones.  Be kind to you.

“To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring-it was peace.” 
~Milan Kundera

Joan Foley
Is a Zen Shiatsu Therapist / Director Rosemont Healing Arts, dedicated to promoting health, well-being and inner calm.