Stress

Stress is omnipresent these days and I sometimes have the feeling that it is getting worse, especially in the work environment. It's important that we know what stress does to us, how we can deal with it and that we recognise when we have too much stress. Personally, I always had the feeling that I was very stress-resistant because of my calm nature, but over the years I've learnt otherwise. Yes, it definitely helps to have a calm personality, but there comes a point when everyone snaps. Dr Coldwell describes stress as the cause of all diseases, especially cancer. Dr Hamer even developed an entire medical system around the connection between illness and psychological stress. He called it the new germanic medicine. I now fully agree with both of them. Constant stress is definitely a killer. The effects that I have observed over time in my clients and myself are as fascinating as they are frightening. Everyone responds to stress in their own personal way. No two cases are the same.

Effects

Short-term stress is not a problem at all and can even have positive effects. However, the effects of prolonged stress are extremely negative and incredibly varied. Here is just a small selection:

• Irritability, outbursts of anger
• Sleep disorders
• Rapid, shallow breathing leads to oxygen deprivation
• Acidification of the body
• All kinds of digestive problems up to and including stomach ulcers
• Unusual weight gain and weight loss
• Grey hair, hair loss
• Dry, diseased skin
• High blood pressure, fast resting pulse
• Headaches, migraines
• Accelerated ageing
• Reduced performance
• Reduced cognitive abilities and problems with memory
• Weakened immune system, susceptible to diseases
• Muscle tension, back and joint pain
• Inflammation
• Visual disturbances, sudden hearing loss, tinnitus
• Lack of energy, avolition
• Anxiety, burnout, depression
• Mental disorders, addictive behaviour, drug abuse, alcoholism
• etc.

The problem is that stress puts the body into flight and fight mode. This state consumes a lot of energy. This is why all bodily functions that are not immediately necessary for survival in dangerous situations are shut down. These include digestion and the immune system in particular. At the same time, the energy supply to the muscles and sensory organs is increased. As harmful substances are no longer excreted and cell regeneration is slowed down, over time this condition leads to tissue damage and even cancer.

Mental stress inevitably leads to burnout. The lack of sleep only makes things worse, because the body and mind only regenerate during sleep. The soul fades completely into the background. It can go so far that we literally lose ourselves. One can live like this for a while, but at some point depression comes knocking at the door and makes us realise that we can't go on like this. That's when we reach the point where we have to rethink our current life. Ideally, one shouldn't let it get that far and try to reduce the stress to a bearable level beforehand.

Stress Reduction and Management

Stress is actually relatively easy to reduce. The only problem is that when we're stressed, we don't make time for it. We run around non-stop trying to juggle everything instead of simply taking a break. We tell ourselves that we'll manage somehow. Admitting to yourself that you have a problem with too much stress is the first step to overcoming it. You have to do this consciously and sometimes even force yourself to do it. That can be difficult. It puts pressure on your self-esteem. But it's necessary, because it's the only way to open the doors to the motivation we need to actually do something about it. In the following, I will describe the things that work well for me. I'm sure you'll find something that works for you too.

• Restful sleep is the be-all and end-all of stress reduction. Sleep in whenever you can and when you wake up, just lie there for a while. If possible, go to bed a little earlier so that you can wake up naturally in the morning without an alarm clock. The day starts much more pleasantly this way. We always sleep for about the same amount of time. Make a note of when you go to bed and when you wake up. After one to two weeks, you'll know pretty well how long you usually sleep and can plan your rhythm perfectly so that you can get up in the morning without stress.
• Sex is very relaxing. Afterwards you'll sleep like a baby. Masturbating also works, of course. However, I would recommend using your head cinema instead of watching porn. It's much more satisfying ;)
• If you have trouble falling asleep because your head just won't shut up, try calming it with deep, slow breaths or a short meditation. A glass of red wine may also help. But please, this is not an invitation to drink. Just one glass, not the whole bottle! Too much alcohol prevents a restful sleep.
• CBD has a very calming effect. However, you have to be careful not to become dependent on it. It should only be a temporary aid at most. In addition, driving and working on heavy machinery should be avoided while taking CBD, as it can have a negative effect on your ability to react quickly.
• Laughter is also the best medicine for stress. Do things that bring you joy and make you forget the daily grind. You can still take care of everything tomorrow. However, make sure you don't put off important things for too long. If something can be done with little effort, it's best to get it done as quickly as possible. Then it won't weigh you down any more.
• Calm your mind and simply switch everything off: Mobile phone, PC, TV, radio, no news, no newspapers, no social media. Treat yourself to an information break. Your head will thank you if you empty it from time to time.
• Slow, deep and conscious breaths calm the mind and body. At the same time, they increase your oxygen supply and lower your heart rate. If something upsets you, you can quickly bring yourself back down to earth by breathing consciously.
• Take a hot bath or visit a sauna. Heat has a relaxing and energising effect. The steam bath in the hammam is also great.
• Massages release tension in the body and calm the mind at the same time.
• Spend time in nature. Go for a leisurely walk in the woods and sit around a campfire in the evening.
• Light candles at home and switch off the artificial light. This has a similar calming effect to a campfire.
• Improve the atmosphere in your home with more plants. Especially if you live in a noisy city, bring nature into your home. The greenery of plants is balm for body, mind and soul. It has been scientifically proven that our subconscious reacts to colours. Green conveys life and love. Dark blue (ocean) and orange (sunset) have a calming effect. Red (danger), on the other hand, has an aggressive effect. Yellow (sun) and light blue (sky) awaken us. Take your cue from nature and surround yourself with the colours that match your desired mood.
• Try meditation. If that doesn't work, sit on a bench outside and listen to the leaves in the wind. That's already enough.
• Spend time alone. Deal with your feelings. Listen to your soul. It is talking to you!
• Listen to pleasant, calm background music without any singing. If someone is singing and you understand the lyrics, your brain is busy processing them non-stop. This makes it difficult to find inner peace.
• Singing or humming mantras has a similar effect to meditation. Maybe that would be something for you.
• Essential oils such as lavender and valerian have a calming effect, improve sleep and help with inner restlessness. You can apply them to your skin, drip them onto your pillow or use them in a diffuser. Ask for advice.
• If you are really charged up because of constant stress, engage in rigorous physical activity. Do sport, go running, cycling, swimming, whatever. Let off steam before interacting with other people. This alone can work wonders in situations such as at home with your family, where there are always arguments because of pent-up anger. Physical activity is a great way to release anger so that your family life doesn't become a stress factor in itself.
• If you like watching movies, give European cinema a try. Amélie or Volver for example. These are wonderful stories that touch the heart and transport you to another world for a while. European films are generally better suited for a mental break than violent American blockbusters.
• A change of environment creates the necessary distance to be able to let go. However, holidays should be at least two, preferably three weeks long so that they are relaxing. You need roughly a week to wind down. If you're travelling somewhere you've never been before, you'll also need about a week to really settle in. If by that time your holiday is already over, you could have saved yourself the trouble. After two days at work, you'll be back in the same place as before. Relaxation takes time. Give yourself the time you need.
• If you change your job due to too much stress, make sure you take a break before starting your new job. Don't take the old stress with you to your new job. Take a break for at least two to four weeks. First create some distance, wind down and then start something new. Otherwise you'll be stressed from the beginning and head straight for a burnout.

I hope you find a few points in this list that you can implement for yourself. Of course, it would be ideal to completely eliminate the sources of any stress, but unfortunately this is not always possible. In any case, a little mindfulness goes a long way.