Episode One ~ Exploit Stress in Four Steps
Welcome to Life Wide Open
The Place to Live Extraordinarily
I’m Barb Earle and this is My Neuroscience Pearl
“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” – Hermann Hesse.
This quote reminds me that stress can make us feel like we are not ourselves. It rules our lives. Fear, frustration and hopelessness become regular, unwelcomed visitors.
We live in a state of negative absolutes.
Sound familiar?
At times stress is critical for survival. With the onset of a physical or mental threat, this early warning system takes over. The release of hormones and chemicals prepare us to either run, fight or freeze. Stress plays an important role.
We become alert and ready for anything!
Beyond this early warning system, ongoing stress adversely affects our health. The imbalance of hormones and chemicals will have us think, feel and act in unfavourable, ineffective ways. As well, it may contribute to physical illness.
Sound familiar?
The solution? Exploit stress!
The moment you feel stress use it as a means to transform it as well as yourself. Use it to balance your brain.
Here’s How….
Name it! Tame it! Reframe it! Claim it!
Let’s unpack this…
Step One ~ Name it
Naming your emotion reduces stress
Neuroscience studies indicate this action generates a remarkable response in your brain. You shift from the area that contributes to stress response to an area that contributes to executive function. It’s physically moving from stress to being able to identify conflicting thoughts with a sense of clarity.
The result ~ you get closer to looking at your stress in a slighter more objective manner.
Step Two ~ Tame it!
Balance your brain by taming stress.
A naturally occurring brain chemical releases when the above-mentioned shift occurs. This chemical is GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid). It slows down the activity in the brain and nervous system. A little like pesto dismal for the brain. Thanks, Ann Betz for that metaphor.
The result ~ a calming mood is created.
Step Three~ Reframe it!
Keep your executive function online by exploring different perspectives. The potential to view life in a broader, more comprehensive way expands. It’s a brilliant method to exploit stress and discover what’s important to you.
The result ~ you can explore endless possibilities over a stressed-out limited view.
Step Four ~ Claim it!
Claim all your thoughts, emotions and actions in an objective manner.
Own it. There is wisdom to be learned from stress. Pay attention to the meaning behind it. And notice if you get caught up stress.
Suppression is the least effective method of dealing with stress.
Being mindful is one of the most effective means.
It leads to this crucial step and has a noteworthy result ~
Self- appraisal without self-judgement.
Minimize and exploit stress to the fullest degree! Do it as regular practise.
Repeating these four steps form strong and well-developed pathways in your brain.
Bonus result ~ your recovery time from step one to four accelerates.
Spend more time with your calm, effective self, instead of time in the clutches of stress! So go ahead, exploit stress!
As Hermann so eloquently expresses: Find the stillness within, find yourself, any time.
Until we meet in Person.
Brain to Brain.
Heart to Heart.
Ciao!
Barb Earle
Interested in a more detailed sequence for managing your stress?
Based in irrefutable, practical, user-friendly neuroscience?
Contact me for a complimentary thirty-minute coaching session or to discuss a staff training event and let’s reveal the stillness within.
Blog Source ~ BEaboveleadership.com