Stress and Gratitude – what’s the connection?

I recently read a post about a woman having a tough time relaxing because she was surrounded by stressful events. For instance, walking in the woods, she was inundated by skaters, joggers, and other people’s dogs. I wonder if this woman had a frantic mind. Sometimes thinking overtakes us and we create stressful frantic situations. Even when we try to get to a quiet place the noise and frenzy continues.

Likes attract, so a frantic mind will create frantic events, and here is the kicker, even if you are trying to relax.  When we are frantic it is because our thoughts are divided. It’s easy to feel like a leaf before the wind, blown this and that with no control over the events in your life. Many things can quiet the mind and help you regain your sense of direction and anchor you in the moment now.

In the moment of stress stop

1. simply stop, and breathing in, deeply ask yourself what is important here? The mind will focus, and the answer will come. You may have to repeat this action several times until you feel the mind and body relax. Then take positive action. As simple as this seems it works wonders for getting in touch with one of the three core centers of you being called tandiens. Similar to Chakras they are powerful areas of spiritual energy located in the lower abdomen, heart, and head that correspond to physical energy, emotional energy, and spiritual energy respectively. No matter what it is called, when your attention is held at one of those core centers in a relaxed manner you will feel peace (and love and joy too).

Speak kindly to yourself

2. Use kind Self talk One of the most important things to remember in manifestation and also in maintaining a healthy psyche is to pay attention to the chatter in your mind. Not just about others, but about you. If you constantly call yourself stupid. You will do stupid things, look for your strengths. What do you like about yourself? Focus on that. Even if you feel that you really are stupid (or whatever negative thing you are saying to yourself), change the thought to something positive. You don’t even have to believe you are a true genius for this practice to help you feel better about yourself. Start to be kind to yourself and the world will respond. You can start with something as simple as I really made myself the best sandwich!

If I remember to complete a task, I compliment myself. After a while you will see and feel that you are more capable and efficient than you thought. This does not make you condescending or preachy. It makes you a caring, confident person.

3.  use affirmations daily. This will train your mind to look for your inner strength and will also aid in creating a more balanced life. Using the affirmations below will help you to develop kind speech toward yourself. Some affirmations you can use for creating relaxation and peace are:

1. I am relaxed.
2. I am filled with the energy of peace.
3. I am a calm and centered person.
4. I am a person that chooses to remain calm and focused.
5. I am safe.
6. I am a person that rediates calm, relaxed energy.
7. I am a person who chooses peace and positivity.
8. I am living at the source of calm and peaceful energy.
9. I am tranquil.
10. I am serenity

Become the observer

4. In the frantic moment stop, as up above, and give yourself a moment to step outside of the situation, and outside of your emotions and just watch what is happening. This is similar to the first example, but the difference is that, in this case, you are being objective and stepping outside of the emotional reaction. This breaks the emotional reaction and gives you the space to make a new emotional choice, the choice to relax, let go, and expand your view.

Journaling is important

5 Keep a journal – Before even getting to the stressful moments you can identify triggers and set priorities. Setting priorities, such as feeling grateful or even just which project at the job needs focus creates a calm mind. You have already decided what needs to be done and the body will react accordingly in the moment. I use my journal for all sorts of things. I notice that when I regularly track my emotions to my physical actions and the reasons for my decisions, I am clearer and sharper throughout my days.

Maintain your gratitude practice

6. Gratitude quiets the mind and soothes the soul; it creates that sense of peace we all seek. In my opinion, you cannot run away from stress, but you can quiet the mind. We might wonder, how can being grateful quiet the mind? Because in gratefulness the mind is focused on unity. The moment we are truly grateful we are at peace. One of my favorite sayings is, “I am not grateful because I am happy. I am happy because I am grateful.”

Namaste