Aug 1st, 2008
Beneficial Stress
One way to gain control over your stress response is to realize when it has become inappropriate. Some stress is beneficial, but when and how does it become a problem for you? One way to determine this is to watch your physical body closely. Often, even before your conscious mind becomes aware of a stressor, the muscles in your body respond to it, becoming tense and rigid.
Dr. Ilchi Lee Said: If you are under the influence of chronic stress, you probably have a few stress-related knots around your neck and shoulders. Sound familiar? Work to release these knots through stretching, massage, and breathing exercises such as those in the following chapters. Be patient—your body has a stress habit, so these tense spots may take awhile to alleviate.
During Yoga also, notice how your body responds when you are in a highly stressful situation. Do you hold your shoulders high? Does your breathing become shallow and rapid? These little details can be your clue to the point at which stress hormones have gone from helpful to hurtful.