Everyone knows stress these days. Be it in high Time pressure, large Workload or by professional or private conflicts. The reasons are manifold. But often it is not the stress factor alone that causes problems, but our inner attitude and our often subconscious Imprinting that increases stress.
Stress reactions on different levels
Stress factors as well as our imprints cause stress reactions, which can manifest themselves on a physical, mental and behavioural level. Unmanaged stress often manifests itself on a physical level as Stomach and intestinal problemspalpitations, tingling in the hands and feet. Or in muscular tensions like Headache, Neck and back pain.
But also Hypertension and a weakened resistance to disease can be observed in people who are under constant stress. On the action level, stress often manifests itself in unfavorable health behaviors such as overeating, substance abuse or Eating disorders. Mentally often come with chronically stressed people Family conflicts, human problems and social withdrawal before.
Chronic effects with frequent stress reactions
The permanent activation of the sympathetic nervous system as a result of permanent stress leads over time to a so-called vegetative fatigue and subsequently to a profound state of exhaustion, which becomes the burnout syndrome or even depression can develop. The burnout syndrome is the result of a long lasting permanent tension. The adverse health effects of Permanent stress often only become clear after months, if not years.
Countering stress on different levels
In my daily practice, I often observe people who cannot escape from this spiral of permanent stress. In doing so, I work with my clients on different levels. First of all, it is worth taking a look at the recurring stressors: What puts me under stress every day: Long commutes to work, heavy workload or is there Conflicts with co-workers, superiors or in private life.
Together with my clients I develop practical, short-term approaches in order to Countering stressorsCan I organise my working day better and differently? How is my Time ManagementHow do I prioritize? Can I address smouldering conflicts constructively and work out joint solutions or must a smouldering conflict (e.g. in partnership) be addressed openly?
Beliefs increase our stress
In the medium term, however, in my experience it is important to go deeper: What beliefs and deep-seated imprints do I have? Am I from the Perfectionism driven? Do I think I always have to be popular and can therefore only with difficulty say "no"? Or am I so influenced by my family history and biography, for example, to believe that I must always be careful?
It is important not only to recognize this rationally, with "the head", but to recognize these to accept imprints also honestly deep inside, with "the heart".. Only then am I ready to deal with it and actively work on it.
I have had very good experiences with affirmations, that is the Practicing new, positive beliefs as well as the deep healing work in the Reconciliation with the wounded inner child collected. The third level is relaxation and regeneration. Here I work with the millennia-old science of the Yoga and Ayurveda.
With Ayurveda and Yoga against stress
It is not only about physical exercises (under which yoga is mainly known in our western society). The physical exercises, called asanas, can help to release deep-seated tensions and blocks, the to bring energy back into the flow and to relax sustainably. But also in the conscious breathing and the training of the mind (with its often negative thoughts, imprints, attitudes and evaluations) yoga helps to arm us against stress.
This is an aspect that today is mainly known under the term Mindfulness has become known. In addition to this, Ayurveda helps us to understand ourselves better and to live according to our natural constitution, to nourish ourselves and also to increase our resilience against stress with medicinal herbs.
Managing stress with mindfulness and meditation
By working with my clients meditative exercises and train them in mindfulness, you learn to look at situations and incidents with distance. This is helpful in that there is then no identification and entanglement (which is often accompanied by strong emotions and feelings). You learn, observe situations in a value-neutral way and to work out solutions for the situation with a clear head.
Understanding stress and addressing it at different levels
In summary, this means: Stress arises from external stressors such as high work pressure or lack of time, and the individual stressors such as deep-seated imprints and beliefs such as "be perfect" or "be popular". The stress response can be physical (e.g. tension), behavioural (e.g. unhealthy behaviour) and/or mental (e.g. negative attitudes or perceptions).
As a logical consequence, work should be done on all dimensions. The Asian knowledge teachings of Yoga and Ayurveda help to recognize and dissolve mental imprints and also to do a lot for relaxation and regeneration.
This article is a guest contribution from Stefan Geisse
I worked for many years as a manager in international corporations before a crisis of purpose and serious illness led me to review my life and attitude. Today I work as a Stress Coach in Zurich and regularly offer Stress timeouts in monasteries and other places of power, where I practice mindfulness and meditation with the seminar participants.
EN 
DE 
ES 
FR 
UK 
RU