Rebalance and Thrive: Harnessing Stress for Greater Well-Being
By: John Levis
Stress is an everyday experience and an everyday responsibility. Stress isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it’s only when it becomes too much that we suffer. The more aware we become of stress, the better we can rebalance ourselves so that we may thrive.
Let’s look at stress from the perspective of hormesis. A simple definition is “If it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger!” In other words, there’s “good” stress (known as eustress) that can make us stronger. However, too much stress is debilitating and can cause havoc in our system. This is called distress, and it’s often what we think of when we hear the word “stress.”
As we better understand the idea of stress, we also become better at recognizing it in our lives.
Exercise is a very beneficial stress on the body and can alleviate mental and emotional stress as well. I like to define exercise in this context as “the willful application of stress on the body in order to achieve a healthy result.” However, too much exercise or neglecting good recovery can work against us. It basically comes down to this: what you do on one side of the equation, you must do on the other side of the equation. Whether you’re dealing with physical, mental, or emotional stress, making time to rebalance is essential for longevity and well-being.
Below are a few ways to renew and rebalance:
Massage
Regular massage provides great long-term benefits. Like anything else, consistency is key—think of it like compound interest: the more consistent you are, the better the return. Massage helps improve circulation of blood and lymph, both of which are essential to a healthy body. Blood brings nutrients and repairs tissue, while lymph removes damaged tissue and toxins.
Another amazing benefit of massage is its effect on the autonomic nervous system. When you deeply relax, your body heals and restores. If you are constantly in “fight or flight” (the sympathetic stress response), you won’t heal well, and your immune system will also diminish. For optimal well-being, we must rebalance the equation with “rest & digest” (the calm, parasympathetic response).
Yoga
There are many different styles of yoga today, and they are not all created equal. Hot yoga with loud music and a physically challenging flow can put you into the sympathetic response—also known as high stress. The mental and physical stimulation of loud music and heat, in addition to the heat you create within your body, is intense and will increase stress. After any challenging workout, we must rebalance. That’s why in every yoga class there is Savasana, which involves lying on your mat with gentle or no music at all.
Restorative (Yin) yoga is very gentle. You are completely relaxed, lying in postures for several minutes while simply being in the moment. This is where we rebalance from stress. You may even fall asleep, which is not a bad thing.
However, there is an in-between. Most yoga studios offer a general Hatha yoga class. “Hatha” is a broad term for the practice of yoga that involves postures in a calm environment, allowing the practitioner to become self-aware and move in a way that benefits both body and mind. Learning how to optimize your posture while moving with awareness of your breath is essential. A good yoga class will guide you into each posture while allowing you to find the position that serves you best, all while cultivating self-awareness—an attribute I believe is vital for longevity and well-being. The more in tune you become with your body, the better choices you can make on your wellness journey.
Breathwork
Breathwork can be as simple as paying attention to your breath, whether you’re lying down, sitting still, or going about your day. When you become more self-aware, you might notice how your breathing changes during stressful situations. Many of us tend to hold our breath or breathe very shallowly, which is indicative of “fight or flight.” Once we notice this, we can pause and breathe deeply with awareness, allowing us to cultivate the “rest & digest” response. The breath truly is the key to renewing and rebalancing. Breathing consciously can also release tension in the body, allowing for greater range of motion and better recovery from stress.
There are many simple ways to renew and rebalance that can be easily integrated into our daily routines. It is imperative that we recognize this side of the equation. Wellness isn’t just about exercise, taking vitamins, and eating well—although these are all essential. In order to cultivate balance, self-awareness and deep rest are game changers.