Stress is a natural condition of life – any change in our external or internal environment creates a need for the body to balance the effects of that change.

Stress creates the opportunity for growth – physically and mentally. The important point is that periods of stress must be followed by periods of recovery for growth to occur – otherwise, instead, there is damage or burnout. This is the principle that is used in world-class athletic training – and can be applied to all aspects of life.

Burning the candle at one end…

In the 21st century, we find ourselves burning the candle at both ends. We have increasingly-plentiful causes of stress, for example:

• more changes in life – in jobs, homes, locations, friends and colleagues
• more brain stimulation – ads, tv, news, email, computers
• more electromagnetic stimulation – radio waves, microwaves, house appliance electromagnetic forces
• more body challenges – chemicals, poor food choices, stimulants, drugs (even medicines!)
• social challenges – raising families in isolation, immigration, urban living
• economic challenges – “recessions”, corporate restructuring, higher costs of living

Then at the other…

Yet we have less opportunities for recovery, such as “time out” after work, silence, family time and support, etc.

The problem is, when we are stressed we start “coping” – we accept higher and higher levels of stress. Then – too late – we reach a tipping point when we definitely “feel stressed out”, or worse, “burned out.” Even worse still, our bodies can break down with diseases like inflammation (heart attacks, arthritis), autoimmune disorders, or cancer.

This happened to me two years ago: all the signs of stress were there, and I ignored them. Then my left eye became completely inflamed and I lost my sight. Six months later the retina detached, needing emergency surgery. After two years, my eyesight has not yet recovered. How many people are paying the price for ignoring the symptoms and signs of stress?

I see this every day: a little prevention is better than a huge amount of cure.

The signs of stress

Here are some signs of stress:

• feelings of anxiety and reduce ability to cope – often feeling overwhelmed
• pain or tightness in the shoulders, neck or other places; headaches
• digestive problems, increased cravings and need for stimulants
• raised blood pressure, palpitations
• increased frequency and duration of colds and flus
• impaired sexual function
• fatigue, lethargy, poor sleep
• irritability, impatience, not having “enough time” – especially for relaxation

Unmanaged stress is a serious condition. As a health practitioner seeing so many victims of unmanaged stress – including myself – my sincere advice to all of you is: Have a stress management plan – it could save your life, and possibly the lives of others as well.

I often see overhwelmed mothers who feel they can’t take time out because of their children. They become tired, sick, and miserable; and then they snap at the kids. What model of healthy, sensible, organised lifestyle are they teaching their children? I have offered free massages and treatments to these women – and still they didn’t come!

Read this carefully:

A sure sign of stress is when you feel you don’t have the time to do something to manage it!

If you didn’t get it the first time, please read it again.

Stress nutrition

For a start do what the ancients have always done: stop what you are doing, and sit down properly for meals. A meal is an important event – and not an opportunity to fill a hole on the run. Consciously wind down before eating, and you will experience improved digestion, better resistance to stress, and improved mood.

Eat meals made from fresh, wholesome ingredients. Avoid processed foods and high-sugar foods. Increase colourful vegetables and fruits. Cut down on coffee, cola drinks, and alcohol.

Good eating habits, and nutritious foods, not only promote relaxation rituals to counterbalance stress during the day. They also provide the essential ingredients for your body to deal with stress efficiently.

Relaxation is the opposite of…

You got it! Nature’s remedy for stress is proper relaxation! This does not mean beers at the pub, or Martinis in front of the tv; nor gossiping with the girlfriends, or surfing the ‘Net (except for reading a page like this one!).

Proper relaxation involves turning your attention inwards – to yourself. How often do you do this?

There are thousands of relaxation techniques for stress relief. It doesn’t really matter which techniques you use; what matters is increasing self-awareness and consciously relaxing the body, emotions and mind. One of the profoundest, most systematic and most comprehensive methods for doing this is the science of Yoga.

Here is a powerful relaxation tip:

1. Sit comfortably with the spine upright, chest open, eyes and mouth shut.
2. Become aware of the natural flow of breath through the nostrils.
3. Deepen the breath and follow it in and out for several minutes.

Deep relaxation

After many years of “coping” with stress, it may take many people quite a while before they can recover a true sense of relaxation. Deep relaxation is a feeling of complete letting go, and of stillness of mind and body. It is at this point that a natural sense of serenity and joy resurfaces. It is at this point that the body can rebalance itself – and repair and regenerate itself.

Most people nowadays need to be guided towards deep relaxation. They need to be led to a space where they are reminded of what it feels like to be deeply, truly relaxed.

For people with serious illnesses like cancer, hypertension and depression, deep relaxation can offer them the best chance for healing, in whatever way is appropriate for them.

We can guide you

At Science of Life, we have created an amazingly effective programme to manage stress and allow you to lead a more productive, healthy, joyful, fulfilling life – for the whole of your life. We know how frustratingly difficult it can be to manage stress by yourself – and manage it you must.

After an in-depth consultation, we offer a programme of time-tested, synergistic tools to help you achieve deep relaxation, recover from chronic stress, and henceforth skilfully manage your stress as part of a healthy lifestyle.

The programme may include:

• diet and lifestyle recommendations
• traditional herbs for stress-adaptation, mental relaxation, improved sleep, and rejuvenating the tissues
• massage and body therapies to induce deep relaxation and improve health
• training in Yoga exercises, breathing techniques, meditation and guided relaxation
• Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES), an effective and safe microcurrent technology
• counseling and mental tools to reshape your beliefs around “stressful” factors

Stress management is the key to growth

As I said earlier, stress is the key to growth on all levels. It provides the opportunity to stretch your limits, to strengthen your muscles, to discover yourself. In the ancient Sanskrit writings it was described as Tapas, the fire that tempered the steel of your mind, to amazing sharpness and strength.

By managing stress in an organised way, you will come to see obstacles as challenges rather than as “problems” – in fact you will welcome them for the gift they bring. This is an incredibly empowering shift of consciousness. In a flash you will no longer see life as a series of fatalistic stressful events; but as a glorious journey of growth and creativity.

At Science of Life, we consider it a privilege to assist people achieve this shift in consciousness. In the future, I plan to offer more material to guide and inspire you in this process of transforming stress.

In the meantime, to find out more about the Science of Life Stress Management Programme, email us or call on 0800 23 50 23.

Copyright Gerald Lopez 2009. All Rights Reserved.