Ease Your Stress: The Power of Embracing Tension

Stress is a familiar foe to many of us, manifesting as the physical embodiment of anxiety. It creeps into our lives through various symptoms like increased heart rate, shallow breathing, muscle tension, stomach issues, and headaches. Have you ever noticed tension in your back and shoulders and tried to relax, only to find yourself more stressed? This paradoxical reaction to stress is a common experience that underscores a fundamental truth about our emotions: the more we try to push them away, the stronger they grow.

Understanding Stress and Its Physical Impact

Stress, essentially the physical aspect of anxiety, shows up in our bodies in several uncomfortable ways. When we experience stress, our body goes into a 'fight or flight' mode, which can result in:

• Increased heart rate
• Shallow breathing
• Muscle tension
• Stomach problems
• Headaches

These symptoms are your body's natural response to perceived threats, serving as a protective mechanism. However, when stress becomes chronic, it can lead to more severe health issues.

The Paradox of Trying to Relax

Intuitively, we might try to relax our way out of stress by telling ourselves to 'just relax.' Unfortunately, this well-intentioned advice often backfires, leading to an increase in stress levels. This phenomenon highlights the paradox of emotions: attempting to suppress or ignore them only serves to amplify them.

Embracing Tension as a Pathway to Relaxation

Rather than fighting stress, embracing it can be a more effective strategy. Here's a simple exercise to try:

1. Identify a part of your body where you feel tension (e.g., shoulders, face, back, hands).
2. Exaggerate the tension in that area. For instance, if your shoulders are tense, pull them up towards your ears and clench the muscles.
3. Hold this tension for five seconds, then release and breathe out.

Repeating this exercise can help relax the muscles in a way that attempting to 'just relax' cannot. This counterintuitive approach acknowledges and leans into the tension, allowing it to dissipate naturally.

The Importance of Acknowledging Emotions

Our emotions, much like stress, seek acknowledgment rather than avoidance. When we give our emotions the attention they crave, even if it's just for a moment, they often diminish in intensity. This approach is akin to dealing with a persistent toddler: once you give them your attention, they're satisfied and move on.

Moving Forward with Emotional Awareness

To genuinely manage our emotions and stress, we must be willing to lean into them, even if it feels counterintuitive. By doing so, we can discover a more profound sense of relaxation and well-being. Remember, it's not about eradicating stress or emotions but rather about developing a healthier relationship with them.

I invite you to share in the comments below which emotions you find most challenging to sit with. Let's embark on this journey of emotional awareness and stress management together.

For those interested in further exploring tools for supporting mental health, check out the upcoming course on Udemy titled "How to Help: Powerful tools to help when someone you love struggles with mental health." This comprehensive course will cover over 40 instructional videos on aiding those with depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.

Watch the original video here.