Stress is, as most of us know, an emotional state that is the result of how we perceive a situation in our minds. Stress is not – as many would have us believe – a result of the situation itself.
Stress is the result of our perception and is the body’s reaction to fears, assumptions and more often than not, projections about our future – ‘what if?’s that we conjure up in our minds. The more vivid these images are, the greater the stress will be.
The greater the stress, the more insecure we become about our ability to handle it and the less we believe in our own coping abilities. The result is that the brain shuts down and stress hormones circulate throughout the body.
The more inhibited our brain is, the less we can think clearly and the more likely we are to perceive a situation or the actions of another as stressful. It becomes a never-ending cycle!
To combat this - aside from taking deep breaths -, it may help to remember that we do not have a crystal ball and actually cannot predict the future – much as we would like to! Although it is possible that some not-so-nice things may happen, it is equally possible that great things can happen too. We really don’t know…. And it’s actually okay to not know, because, ironically, the fact that we do not know is one thing we do know for sure Now breathe………..
Serendipity is one of my favourite concepts to focus on, and a focus on serendipity – the possibility of something wonderful happening – will make it much more likely to happen!
When next you feel stress and worry about the future overtaking you, STOP, take 3 slow deep breaths, and imagine your mind opening up to 360 degrees of possibilities. Imagine the most outrageous positive possibility, and allow yourself to enjoy the image for just a moment!
This will switch your brain on, and make you more likely to come up with creative ideas towards a positive potential!
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