When irritants and worry become chronic it can be difficult to manage stress. It all sounds easy, just take a deep breath and relax. In practice, this can be super hard. Here are some resources to explore and see if any resonate with you as tools to help you learn about and manage your stress.
CBC’s “The Dose” Podcast: What’s the connection between stress and my health and well-being? In this episode Dr. Brian Goldman speaks with Dr. Zindel Segal about stress and the effects of chronic stress on the body. They finish with a technique called Box Breathing that can help manage stress.
Meditating on your own can be difficult. I find a guided meditation can be helpful to keep the brain from wandering and starting to obssess over worries. The Relieve Stress and Tension meditation from the Hypnosis Downloads site has been helpful to me. The narrator has a lovely, soothing Scottish accent. The 20 minute meditation is the perfect length for a short stress management session.
If you prefer some movement then you might find yoga to be helpful. This Yoga for Stress Relief video is free on youtube. Often stress can lead to tight muscles so a good yoga or stretching session can be a helpful addition to your stress management routine.
One of my favourite ways to block out the world and practice some stress management is to do Tai Chi. I began my Tai Chi journey with Master Cai at the Calgary Tai Chi and Martial Arts College. Learning the forms, which can be long, are great brain exercises. Performing the form with intention requires all of my focus and I find I have no time to worry. And the physical movements help reduce tension in my muscles.
Need help on your journey? Read more about stress on my main page. You can also book an appointment to find out how stress is affecting your health and what can be done to help.
