Simplify: Here's how to break the stress cycle

Shawn Tuttle

Consider this: your cluttered mind isn’t a by-product of the external stuff, it’s the cause of the craziness.

Simplify by Shawn Tuttle

When we say that we want things to be simpler, we often mean that we want more time, less complication, and more organization. The logic then follows that once those external factors are under control, we’ll take on the constant mental chatter that jabbers away all day.
  Consider this: your cluttered mind isn’t a by-product of the external stuff, it’s the cause of the craziness.
  Just as you wouldn't expect a calm, sunny day at the beach during a hurricane, it's impractical to expect a serene day when your mind is frantic.
  This shift in perspective is huge! Instead of beginning the attack on your schedule or piles, you start by stopping. Your chattering mind, that is.
  Deep relaxation soothes the sympathetic nervous system (that’s the system that produces stress hormones). In other words, calming your body and mind is akin to hitting your internal reset button. And if you’re calm inside and out, then even a hurricane probably won’t be able to throw you off track.
  On the flip side, keeping your insides whirling around can cause you physical distress, even beyond the  moment of “stress out.”

   According to Patt Lind-Kyle, a local author who studies the effects of meditation on the brain: “Stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol are toxic to the system if they are not released within about 90 minutes.”
   Most of us have become so used to stress that we actually feel like something is missing without it. It can become like an addiction and be just as damaging. You can break the cycle by deprogramming the stress addiction — and inviting peace in. You do this by cultivating a calm mind.  
  Stop the stress addiction cycle by calming your mind with these activities:
• get a massage
•  sit by the river
•  spend time in your garden
•  breathe deeply and slowly.
  You know yourself best. What activities calm you down? Let them draw you into a space of well-being. Not only will you feel better, you’ll find yourself discovering creative solutions to sticky problems, making wiser decisions, and reconnecting with your priorities.
  These are life-affirming activities with enormous positive impact! They represent the difference between getting lost in the details and celebrating the beauty of your life.
   It might sound counterintuitive, but if you want more order in your life, take a break from the piles. Invite your mind and body to rest like the still waters in a deep, refreshing pool.

Simplify is written by Shawn Tuttle. She can be reached by calling 530-205-5775 or by visiting www.projectsimplify.com.