Stress Free Living

1. Stress Free Living Robin Olivier, M.Ed., NCC, NCSC, CHt. robin_m_olivier@hotmail.com Early College Academy

2. Stress Stress can be defined as any type of change that causes physical, emotional or psychological strain. However, not all types of stress are harmful or even negative. There are a few different types of stress that we encounter:

3. Eustress = fun and exciting (e.g. skiing down a slope or racing to meet a deadline) • Acute Stress = short-term, can either be positive, day-to-day life • Episodic Acute Stress, where acute stress seems to run rampant and be a way of life, creating a life of relative chaos (e.g. the type of stress that coined the terms ‘drama queen’ and ‘absent-minded professor’) • Chronic Stress = seems never-ending and inescapable, like the stress of a bad marriage or an extremely taxing job (this type of stress can lead to burnout)

4. Stress and Health: Implications of Chronic Stress Chronic stress = physical symptoms headaches increased susceptibility to colds sleep problems feelings of anxiety fuzzy thinking feelings of frustration lowered libido With more exposure to chronic stress, however, more serious health problems may develop. 90% of doctor’s visits are for symptoms that are at least partially stress-related!

5. The Connection “It isn’t the things that are happening to us that cause us to suffer, it’s what we say to ourselves about the things that are happening” (Pema Chodron)

6. Energy Centers in the Body 7 Chakras: energy centers in the body. They allow energy to flow from one part of the body to another 12 Meridians: pathways for energy flow

7. Our MIND “The way we pay attention to the present moment can directly improve the functioning of body and brain, subjective mental life with its feelings and thoughts, and interpersonal relationships.” (Daniel Siegel)

8. Mindfulness • An awareness of one’s surroundings, thoughts, feelings as well as an increase in acceptance and patience (Curtis, Langer, Moldoveanu) • Paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally. (Jon Kabat-Zinn) • It focuses thoughts, actions, and motivations to achieve insight and wisdom (Cognitive therapy) • It focuses on the present, and not the past or the future

9. Our MIND • Meditation • Music • Guided Imagery • Self-Hypnosis • Reiki • Sound & Light Technology - Proteus • Vibro-Neuro Integration –vibration from sound, color & touch • Energy Therapies – Emotional Freedom Technique

10. Our MIND • Journaling • Meditation • PMR* • Time Management • Listen To Music • Learn Assertive Communication Skills

11. OUR BODIES Our body wires our brain. • Our Breathe • Exercise • Diet • Sleep • Massage • Biofeedback (HeartMath, Mio Fitstik)

12. OUR BODIES • Playing Games • Sex • Laughter • Biofeedback* • Yoga* • Crafts • Hobbies • Acupressure/Acupuncture/Reflexology

13. Our SPIRITS • Energy balance and restoration: Yoga T’ai Chi Qigong • Prayer • Gratitude • Recognize energy uppers, downers, and Vultures

14. Chi • Life force (vital life energy) • The circulating life energy that is inherent in all things • The balance of negative and positive energy in the body is believed to be essential for good health

15. Spirituality and Energy The KEY: • We must replenish energy at least at the rate we expend energy • In a state of health, energy flows • Each of us needs to learn what fills us and what depletes us and to learn to recognize energy depletion or imbalance

16. Spiritual Intelligence “The ability to use the fullness of self to grow, to learn, and engage in the world. It is the composer and the conductor in an orchestra made up of the Mind, Body, Emotions, and Energy.” (Katlin Hecox)

17. Also… • Pets • Aromatherapy • Relationships • Aquarium • Drumming • Gratitude journal • Medications • Aromatherapy • Retail therapy!

18. Question And Answer