Stress is a Mess
By Todd Pequeen
Stress is a mess. It is a jumble of strange sleep patterns, worry, depression, and angst. Many clients tell me that they have had “a lot of stress” and I always ask for more details. It is “in the details” that helps me to uncover how the mind has created tension and where it is hiding in the body. Some people get so preoccupied with their own exhaustion that their thinking is unclear. Muddled thoughts and confusion will drain a good night of sleep and root the next day into an energy deficit. The cycle feeds on itself and that is why we must get to know and learn our stress. Once we do we can put our self- care first and work towards being better to ourselves day in and day out.
Layers of research have in fact proven that stress and trauma in our daily lives have significant negative impact on our health and wellbeing, both body and brain. Chronic stress and long held trauma in the body are heavily implicated in high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high cortisol levels. All of which are contributors to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (every 68 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and this number is expected to sky rocket). Fortunately stress relieving activities are all around us here in Manuel Antonio. Some may say that this is the main reason why people visit our area. Massage, meditation, and relaxing movements such as yoga, walking, and gardening can dramatically reduce negative effects of the daily grind. Uncovering, understanding, and releasing personal limiting beliefs allows us to make better choices. We should never impede our own expression as we are all unique, vibrant, and awesome if we just believe it. Putting on our own oxygen mask before helping those in need around us is another nice analogy. None of us can control what happens in all the corners of our lives however if our own self-care is a priority, we will not be wanting or expecting when life gets messy.
When our wellbeing is intact we can weather any issues. Our bodies know if our surroundings and life choices match up with our core inner needs. We only operate optimally on full energy reserves when we listen to our inner knowing. Easier said than done at times but all we need to do is choose to put ourselves on our own to-do list for tomorrow. When we begin to heal ourselves we are better for everyone around us. We all know proper diet, exercise, and healthy relationships are keys…let’s get to it! Nurture and be nurtured and together we can engage in higher levels of living, literally. Health, energy, and happiness is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow of life.
(Todd Pequeen is a graduate of the N.Y. Institute of Massage and a pioneer of the spa industry here in Manuel Antonio since 2000. He works independently at his home studio or at your location and can be reached at 8830-7727. www.massagetodd.com)