Divine Self! » Stress http://www.annettecolby.com/blog Discover the Joy in You Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:53:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 en hourly 1 Silence http://www.annettecolby.com/blog/2009/12/01/silence/ http://www.annettecolby.com/blog/2009/12/01/silence/#comments Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:56:39 +0000 Dr. Annette http://www.annettecolby.com/blog/?p=595 Silence

When was the last time you actually allowed the sounds of silence to permeate your environment?  Creating a life of meaning and joy requires that we begin to listen inwardly. To find our way in life, it is necessary that we learn to listen to ourselves—to observe regular moments of silence. 

It is only in moments of silence that we can check in with our body and be aware of what feelings are there. It is then that we take the time to ask, “How do I feel? What do I need? What do I want to be spending my time and energy with?” 

We need silence each day to sit and contemplate our actions. Silence to write and explore. Silence to just breathe and be. So often we rush through our days, filling every moment with work, activity, noise, or eating. When was the last time you allowed yourself to be silent and still? 

Silence allows the opportunity to settle and just be in the moment. It’s about coming back to yourself and back to your inner source of wisdom. Creating silence is the key to breaking into an inner space of peace, consciousness and awareness. It is within the silence that we gain a deeper connection with our unique spirit, a clearer perspective about what is most important to us, and a more evolved relationship with life. 

An easy way to initiate a new habit of bringing more silence into your life is to begin your day with just sixty seconds of inner quiet. Sixty seconds of not rushing. Sixty seconds of not projecting yourself into the future. Sixty seconds of listening to your breath, your heart, and your spirit.

Believe it or not, a focused 60-second silence can stop the forward momentum of anxiety and nervousness. These moments of silence can improve creativity. And anybody, regardless of schedule, can do it with some practice. Creating even one brief minute of serenity can be powerful and can lead to a healthier way of approaching life.

]]> http://www.annettecolby.com/blog/2009/12/01/silence/feed/ 6 Letting Go of the Worry and Anxiety http://www.annettecolby.com/blog/2009/09/25/letting-go-of-the-worry-and-anxiety/ http://www.annettecolby.com/blog/2009/09/25/letting-go-of-the-worry-and-anxiety/#comments Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:54:20 +0000 Dr. Annette http://www.annettecolby.com/blog/?p=532 Letting GoSometimes I find myself constricted with anxiety or worry. I am transported into some alternate reality as my mind races with anxious thoughts. My body responds with the tension of stress and fear. How strange this is and how unsettling this feels. Gaining conscious awareness of my worry, I realize that this state of being contains no trust within myself. It’s a one-sided view of how things could turn out. 

I’ll ask myself what I need to do to feel calm right now. Taking a deep breath I become even more aware of my fears and emotions. Coming back into my body, the fear within is consciously palpable. Resisting the urge to flee these feelings, I take another deep breath. I look out the window and take in the sky and trees and whatever birds or bugs are flying by. I release into a sigh, and another deep breath. 

Anxious thoughts lessen in intensity and for a few moments there is only feeling. There is room now for the emotions to pass through. This may be as far as I can go. Inner peace is not complete, but there is a feeling of increased calmness and trust in myself. Sometimes the emotions break loose and I allow myself to let go with tears or some other form or expression. When that happens, it’s like an emotional storm has just blown through me, and is passing by on its way to somewhere else. One conscious breath at a time I make it through my day.

]]> http://www.annettecolby.com/blog/2009/09/25/letting-go-of-the-worry-and-anxiety/feed/ 3 How to Completely Overcome Stress in Just Ten Minutes http://www.annettecolby.com/blog/2008/06/16/how-to-completely-overcome-stress-in-just-ten-minutes/ http://www.annettecolby.com/blog/2008/06/16/how-to-completely-overcome-stress-in-just-ten-minutes/#comments Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:02:52 +0000 Dr. Annette http://www.annettecolby.com/blog/?p=42 Woman Stressed - Dr. Annette ColbyWe live in a world that is rapidly changing. All this change can lead to lots of stress. Stress happens when people face change that they have no control over. The resulting stress can feel overwhelming and one of our first reactions is resistance to the feeling itself. We’ll do just about anything to escapes the uncomfortable feelings of stress.

While being anxious or stressed is understandable, there are two important facts you need to know. First, stress is a state in which you (falsely) believe you do not have the capacity or resources to reach a favorable outcome for yourself. Secondly, making decisions from within stress is a panicked reaction and not an empowered choice. A knee-jerk or fearful reaction will lead to quite a different outcome then a choice made from conscious awareness.

 

If you’re feeling the effects of stress, then today’s article is written with you in mind. No matter where your stress is coming from, here is a simple six-step process designed to help you dissipate the energy of stress, find your core strength, and make decisions based on self-empowerment.

 

 Ten Minute Six Step Stress Relief

Grab a pad of paper, a pen, and sit yourself down somewhere comfortable and quiet, where you are unlikely to be disturbed for a few minutes. Then follow this simple six-step process to a more relaxed and self-empowered you.

 

Step 1. Breathe

Take a deep breath and hold it for a couple of seconds, then release it slowly and steadily. Then repeat this two or three more times.

 

Step 2. Acceptance

Notice your body and become aware of where you hold your tension, stress, and anxiety. Instead of trying to fix anything, let your current state of tension be entirely acceptable. It is what it is. Faced with uncertainty of what will happen next, it is normal to feel sad, frustrated, or overwhelmed. But whatever you are feeling, the first step is to accept things as they are. This is tricky business I admit, but let go of fighting, fixing, or running away from what you are feeling. Accept reality as it is right now.

 

Step 3. Pure Expression

Take out your pad of paper and pen, and for the next couple of minutes describe your current situation. How does your body feel? What is tight, tense, or constricted? What thoughts are going through your mind? What emotions are associated with your thoughts? This is not an occasion to analyze why things are the way they are, or how you are going to fix things, rather this is an opportunity of pure expression. Writing allows the adrenaline filled stress energy to begin moving out of your body.

 

Step 4. Offer Reassurance

Stress is a painful experience in which you believe that you lack the resources, time, or capacity to lead yourself through a situation. By losing yourself in food when you are feeling stress, you surrender your ability to act with personal power and effectiveness. To counter this belief and habitual response, let yourself know that you are safe no matter what is happening. Once you are done writing, reassure yourself that even if you don’t yet know exactly how you are going to get through this stressful situation, you are capable of making wise decisions.

 

Step 5. Invite Positive Insights

Once again, take several deep, conscious breaths. Much of what you are feeling is an outpouring of adrenaline that puts you into a state of panic and reaction. Adrenaline makes the situation seem like an emergency, and it limits your choices to fight, flight, or becoming frozen in inaction. Remind yourself that no matter how it feels right now, it is not true that whatever is happening is an emergency. Decide that you will not make reactionary, limited, or fearful choices while in a pumped up adrenaline state.

One of the best ways to move beyond the adrenaline rush is to breathe. Breathing moves stress energy and brings you back into center. When you are feeling calmer, ask yourself, “If I were wise and loving, what step would I take to create a positive outcome for myself.” Listen to what insights or intuitive hunches come. If you don’t have any insights in the moment, that’s okay. Assure yourself that you will know what to do when the time is right.

 

 Step 6. The Process of Change

Take another deep breath and stand up. If you still feel stressed and anxious then that’s okay. You are still benefiting from the process. As with any de-stressing technique, the more your practice the easier it will become. You participate not to put harsh pressure on yourself, but to show yourself that you can learn how to relieve stress in new ways, and that you can trust yourself to get through any situation. Letting go of the stress that occurs with self-doubt, or the expectation of failure, hurt, and disappoint doesn’t happen overnight. Give yourself credit for trying something new!

 

Author Resource: Want to learn more about how to live consciously, love deeply, and laugh often? Come along with Annette Colby and learn the secrets to creating the life you’ve always wanted to live! Subscribe to her blog Divine Self! today.

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