Dealing with Heightened Stress

Many of my students and clients are in overdrive right now. Lots of fear, anxiety, worry and stress. It’s the holiday season of course, which often triggers people. It can be hard to cope with memories of loved ones who are gone. But, for some, politics and world events have added a layer stress to what may be an already difficult time. 

The other day after a class, a student told me she’s been more stressed out this year than she can ever remember, but that her yoga is what’s helping her keep it together.

If you are feeling extra stressed these days, here are two things to consider:

1. Excessive stress is a call from your higher power – to go inside yourself, meditate more, find silence and peace within yourself when everything outside of you looks crazy or chaotic. There is a stillness within, but it takes putting down the cell phone, extracting yourself from the media, and finding some alone time to access it.
2. Getting silent does not equate with being passive – In fact, getting quiet can facilitate the centering we sometimes need to take right action in the world. If you are feeling stress or anxiety from politics or world events, use your silent time as a battery recharge so that you find the energy to take action, and get clearer about what that action is.

Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “I have so much to accomplish today that I must meditate for two hours instead of one.”

What trauma experts tell us is that those who participate in the clean up of catastrophic experiences are the ones who heal. If you feel traumatized, do something positive for yourself and the world. It doesn’t have to be huge, small steps can be very empowering too.

I’m surprised by the lack of accessible mind-body resources for people dealing with stress and anxiety. So I made a kit with a lot of tools to help people who may not be in great shape, or who have limitation challenges. Find out more about the Subtle Solutions for Soothing Anxiety and Stress kit here. Share it with your stressed out friends who may not have tried yoga before, or who may not have the capacity to take a typical class.

I hope you find peace and meaning in the spirit of the season – the cold weather and diminished sunlight is a potent call for internal searching, self-reflection, and self-nurturing. In that quietude, I hope you find the inner peace to show up the way you want to and to be the change you wish to see.