Creating a Healthy Somatic Mindset during Stressful Times
In last week’s blog I provided practical tools to help you through challenging times. In this week’s blog we are going to look at how we can create somatic mindfulness during stressful times.
Modern day challenges
We are fortunate to live at a time where labour saving devices have made life very convenient. We are also able to talk to people from the other side of the world with modern technology. However we have also developed a greater sense or urgency and in some cases, certain groups of people a desire for instant gratification, wanting everything now. As a result of high expectations, perfectionism, unable to say no to people and requests, people are feel more anxious and overwhelmed with their life.
When we stand back and consider how everything affects our mind and body, it is concerning to know that many people around the world are living on their adrenal gland secretion, creating the ‘fight or flight’ stress responses, 24/7 instead of in short bursts, which is what it was originally designed for.
When we live in a constant cycle of fight or flight, we create an increase in muscular tightness and tension. Blood pressure increases, heart rate increases, breathing becomes shallow, the reproductive and digestive systems slow down in activity and the protective actions within the immune system diminish significantly.
Add to the equation emotional eating. Intense moments in life or ongoing challenges creates stress eating because cortisol from the adrenal glands cause an increase in both appetite and motivation. The cycle can begin, yet within a short period of time, this stress eating becomes a learned behaviour or habit. Sugar is highly addictive. It has similar effects on the addictive pathways and patterns of the brain as cocaine.
To learn more about the connection between your mind, body and the choice of foods and lifestyle choices you make, check out my blogs below.
Do you really have control of your health, well being and life?
Adrenal Fatigue and your Lifestyle
The Total Somatics Approach to Health & Wellness with Mindfulness
When we develop Somatic Mindfulness, we become selective about how we think, move, speak, drink and what we eat. We endeavour to work on improving our mindset, so we train ourselves to respond, rather than react to stressful events and scenarios. It is heartening to see how The Total Somatics Approach to Health and Wellness with Mindfulness is increasing globally. Companies and health experts are starting to educate people so they can about what they take in emotionally, mentally and physically.
For example, consider the advice provided by www.sweetdefeat.com regarding breaking the habit of sugar and dealing with cravings,
Acknowledge the craving - Recognise that your body is craving sugar but doesn’t really need it. Once you learn to distinguish between true hunger and cravings, you can take the proper steps to fight cravings.
Take a walk - Remember how sugar releases those feel good chemicals in your brain? Well, so does exercise, so that’s a great alternative to indulging in sweets. Research shows that taking a brisk walk can help reduce sugar cravings.
Cravings can be hard to resist, but when they hit it’s important to remember that you are ultimately the one in control.
To read the full article from www.sweetdefeat.com click HERE.
Interestingly the first bullet point stated above highlights that we have to acknowledge the craving. Instead of allowing the desire for instant gratification to kick in and react to the situation, when we use our pre-frontal cortex, we increase the roles of emotional intelligence, focus, awareness, concentration and decision making. This is the area of the brain that we use the knowledge we obtain to stop, consider the pros and cons and make an informed decision about the situation. The more we stop and acknowledge it is purely a craving, the more we can reason and take a somatic viewpoint of the situation.
For instance we could ask ourselves the following questions,
When I eat sugar, how does it make me feel initially? Once the sugar high has plummeted, how do I feel then?
Does it affect my sleep patterns?
Does it make me hyperventilate?
Does it create headaches, digestive discomfort, mood swings, hormonal issues or an increase in inflammation?
We are all different and as Dr Sarah Wilson states in one of The Total Somatics’ podcasts within the Total Somatics online program (www.TotalSomatics.com), “there are over 8 billion people in the world, so there are over 8 billion diets.” We are all unique and so one diet does not fit all. We have to heighten our somatic awareness to our lifestyle, so we can love and live life with reduced pain, increased mobility, improved posture and enjoy the activities we love to do. Our health is our wealth and when we are feeling healthy, happy and resilient from the inside out, we can achieve whatever we desire.
Educate, Empower and Embrace a Somatic Lifestyle
When we educate ourselves in the area of health and wellness, we become empowered with skills and knowledge. As a result, we are able to embrace a lifestyle which we have passion and enthusiasm for. By focusing on our somatic health (emotional, mental, spiritual and physical) from the INSIDE OUT, we can enjoy daily activities with reduced pain, improved postured, increased mobility and a resilient, objective and responsive mindset. Over the years I have worked with clients and created a health and well being plan which helps targets various aspects of our somatic health and wellness. As a result, I have created The Total Somatics Approach to Health & Wellness Online Program at www.TotalSomatics.com. The online program can be performed in the comfort of your own home at a time that suits you. I have created a layered learning approach to Somatics. You will learn how movement, mindset, mindfulness and other areas of our life can marry together and if blended well, can create a mind and body which works effectively and efficiently on a daily basis.
To learn The Total Somatics Approach to Health & Wellness in your own home, go to www.TotalSomatics.com
