Stress & Yoga

After much research, we know that chemicals carry messages to and from brain cells (thus, chemical imbalances). Stress causes problems with the brain's biogenic amine/endorphin system. This is sometimes known as "Happy Messengers." During periods of stress dormancy, happy messages flow normally. However, when too much stress is presented, the happy messengers have a hard time keeping up. As the happy messages start to diminish, the brain begins to receive "sad messages" and the whole brain becomes overwhelmed. We are now presented with a chemical imbalance in the brain, more plainly known as overstress.

Trillions of messages are sent and received via chemicals every day in the brain. There are messages that are happy and upbeat and there are messages that are somber and quieting. As long as the brain is not overstressed, things remain stable and the body is able to overcome the sad messages. When people are overstressed, they feel overwhelmed with life. They then start to exhibit symptoms of fatigue, not getting a restful night's sleep, aches and pains, lack of energy, depression, anxiety, or just unable to cope with life.

Depression, anxiety attacks, alcoholism, compulsive gambling, and insomnia are all symptoms of overstress. It's a good thing that we now have tools that can help a person suffering from overstress feel healthy again, sleep well and get rid of aches, pains, anxiety, and depression.

A possible plan to reduce stress may be in your best interests: (1) take your body clock in to the repair shop; (2) give yourself a break; (4) improve your dietary lifestyle consisting of fruit, veggies and fiber; (5) remember to take allergy meds (if you have allergies) as allergies are a HUGE stressor; (6) start exercising more; and (7) meditate.

Meditation is something that many people should practice in order to relieve their stress. In meditation, there is a great deal of "emptying" that must take place. True meditation is a rather interesting offering. You have to work at it. Meditation is not just sitting and feeling good. It's the state that has to be achieved. It's a state you have to live in. The state of meditation happens when you purify your mind. It interacts with well being in ordinance to the mind.

Yoga means "union" in Sanskrit. The technique is used to help us take away the things that more or less bother us; the emotions, sensations, desires, achievements and failures of daily life. Yoga unites us within ourselves. Yoga is not about self-absorption. Most publications focus on yoga postures, breathing and meditation. The tradition, however, entails love, compassion, and knowledge. Research shows the yoga helps manage or control anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, headaches, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, stress and other conditions and diseases (www.yogainanoka.com). It reduces stress and tension, boosts self-esteem and improves concentration and creativity.

I, personally, have a difficult time meditating because my brain never stops. It runs constantly, like our hearts. Honestly, when I try to meditate, I start to think about how I'm meditating and if I'm doing it correctly. Then, I start to silently yell at myself for "thinking" and not "letting go." It's a vicious cycle and no matter how hard I try or how optimistic I am, I can't seem to reach my Zen. I really would like to learn Yoga as should you if you're interested in relieving your stress and improving your overall health.