April is Stress Awareness Month. I learned this fact after seeing it announced on an electronic sign at a local medical practice this week. As I continued to drive, I contemplated how seeing the flashing, lighted sign impacted me. My mind automatically focused on the negative impact of stress. It took a few moments for me to expand my thinking around stress. Our mindfulness practice teaches us that stress is a reality in our lives and that not all stress is negative. Hans Selye is credited with first defining categories of stress: eustress vs. distress. Distress is a type of stress that results from being overwhelmed by demands, losses, or perceived threats. Distress cues shifts and changes in us, such as negative affect, negative perspective/thinking and physiological reactivity. Chronic distress without healthy coping can lead to problematic health issues. Eustress; however, is a positive stress response involving optimal levels of stimulation. It’s stress that results from challenging but attainable and enjoyable or worthwhile tasks (e.g., participating in physical exertion, engaging with new people or in a new task or activity). Eustress supports peak performance mode. It has beneficial effects such as generating a sense of fulfillment or achievement, facilitating growth, development, and mastery.
A regular mindfulness practice provides space for noting and observing the continuum of stress we experience in our lives. During this Stress Awareness Month, I think its important to be able to recognize, allow and accept the various forms of stress that surface in one’s life. A regular mindfulness practice can assist in navigating and engaging with stress intentionally. We learn how our bodies and minds are responding to stress and can recognize the signals. Mindful awareness encourages choosing skillful options for responding in kind, curious and caring ways to mitigate the impact of the stress. The practices of attention, acceptance and intention in our mindfulness practice give us access to greater mental stability (focus and perspective), greater emotional regulation (observing and riding waves) and provide for increased care and compassion towards ourselves and others (non-judgment and nourishment).
Looking for assistance with your mindfulness practice?
If you live locally, attend the Hanover Wellness Expo on May 18th and 19th. I will be presenting on May 19th:
Sign up for Mindfulness Mentoring or invite me to your workplace for a workshop: https://www.mindfulnessandmotion.com/services-4.
Join us on Sunday, May 5th at 6pm for the free Monthly Mindfulness Meeting at EUCC.
Wishing you well as you place attention and intention on stress this month,
Karen
For additional information on stress and stress management:
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