Stress the Silent Killer (And its’ Sidekick Anxiety) Part 3 By Lady Jane

Stress the Silent Killer

(And its’ Sidekick Anxiety) Part 3

By Lady Jane

There are many techniques available to help combat Stress and Anxiety from Meditation to Primal Scream Therapy. There is not one size fits all answer. Each individual will have to find out by trial and error which method suits them best. Indeed it is most likely that it will be a combination of techniques that will be most helpful. This is due to the fact that levels of Stress and Anxiety can differ wildly and there is no need to take a sledgehammer to crack a nut. In other words you don’t have to rush out and buy a year’s supply of incense if a sit down and cup of tea will suffice.

Meditation

One of the most common forms of tackling Stress and Anxiety is Meditation. This generally includes some form of breathing modification and thinking of a safe and pleasant place.

Some pointers for this are firstly to be comfortable. You cannot relax if you are sitting on the remote control or wearing a pair of shoes that are too tight.

Make sure that you have time and space without distractions to concentrate on what you are doing. This means switching off the Television and Telephone and ensuring that you are doing it whilst being unlikely to be disturbed by callers, friends or family.

You are usually encouraged to take gentle deep breaths often by breathing in through the nose and exhaling through the mouth.

Once the above breathing method is accomplished find yourself visualising an environment that you find safe and serene and imagine that you are there. When the feeling of Stress or Anxiety fades you can slowly bring yourself back to reality.

Another technique is that of using sound. Human emotions are very susceptible to sounds and therefore gentle music can soothe fraught nerves. There are various relaxation CD’s available to buy or download.

A very ancient technique which over the last few decades has become exceedingly popular is that of Chanting or the repetition of Mantras. Some of the most well-known are cited below with pronunciation.

Chants/Mantra

Awen: - Ah – oo- wen

Angel: - Ee – nu –rah - Zay

Om Mantra: - Om

One method that I find particularly useful is that of Distraction Therapy. This again takes many forms. Whereas Meditation is used to calm the mind Distraction refocuses it usually in a practical way. Taking up a hobby can be very beneficial.

Crafting

Crafting of some description is very therapeutic. This is especially true when doing something rhythmical. This could be the slow sweeping movements of plaining and sanding an item in woodwork, the long strokes of a paintbrush in artwork or even the continual back and forth in knitting.

Alternatively the mere fact of creativity can bring its own pleasure and therefore help combat the negativity of Stress and Anxiety.

A craft project will be following entitled Making a Bridie/St Brigits Cross.