Stress Reduction

Do you believe you are suffering from stress in your everyday life? Do you blame stress for much of the frustration and discord you feel at the end of a hectic day?

If you answered with a resounding "yes" then you may need to do some powerful inner work to improve your well being. Otherwise the results of your perceived stress can affect you adversely. I used to think that stress was an intrinsic part of life, something that was beyond my control. I have since come to learn that much of it is based on our individual perceptions. By examining this aspect of the stress component, doing research and modifying my way of thinking, I was finally able to adapt an attitude that manages stress and keeps it to a minimum in my life.

Stress, in a physiological sense, is a basic, protective system for your body. When your brain perceives a threat, your body reacts with that well-known fight-or-flight response. Your system then releases a spurt of hormones to support this response. When the threat is gone, your body should return to its normal balance. However, with the hectic pace of our current lifestyle, this fight-or-flight state of turbulence can remain on all the time. This can be toxic for both emotional and physical health. Most people think this state of discord is a given in their lives and that there is nothing they can do about it.

I have discovered that stress is only what we believe it to be, and everyone's perception of stress is different. (I am referring to everyday stress, not any kind of traumatic stress or major life stress such as divorce). People who are unhappy with their lives will often hold stress responsible. Many people complain that their jobs are stressful, their spouses stress them out, as well as name a million other things as their personal stressors. I often hear people gripe: "she makes me so annoyed" or "he so stresses me out." No one can make you anything -- nobody has that kind of power over you!

It follows that an essential first step along the road toward a calmer life is to embrace the concept that stress is an internal factor, not an external one. It is our PERCEPTION of a situation (and of certain people) and our corresponding REACTIONS that cause us to feel stressed. My own overall outlook shifted dramatically when I finally accepted the basic positive living premise that one must take 100% responsibility for one's life and one's reactions. Once you come to this realization, you can take specific steps to improve your own attitude and to gain a sense of control over your daily life.

Here are some affirmations to help diffuse the perception of stress within your own reality:


I easily handle all life situations with a clear and confident outlook.
I have a serene view of the world as I know that I create my world from within.
I accept complete responsibility for my reactions, and I choose to react in a balanced and stable way.