Stress

Stress is a psychosomatic disorder that has many causes in our day-to-day life. We may get stressed when traffic is jammed, when we have to stand in a long line, or when we deal with a difficult work situation. An all-too common cause of stress is the feeling that we have too much to do and too little time to do it. Unemployment is another potential source, as are pollution and crime. Even watching crime stories day after day on tele­vision builds up stress. An unhappy relationship, a dominating spouse, faulty plumbing, school exams, and burn-out at work-the list of causes is virtually endless.

Stress, in turn, may trigger allergies, asthma, herpes, high cholesterol, and hypertension. It may even lead to a heart condi­tion. It can induce an imbalance of vata, pitta, or kapha, depending on the individual's prakruti (constitution).

Generally, vata individuals are likely to develop vata-aggravated stress reactions, such as anxiety or fearfulness, even phobias or anxiety neurosis. Pitta individuals increase in pitta during stressful situations and typi­cally react to stress in the form of anger. They may also suffer from hypertension, peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, and other
pitta disorders. Kapha individuals under stress can develop underactive thyroid func­tion, slow metabolism, and even increased blood sugar, leading to a prediabetic condi­tion. They tend to eat and eat and eat and become chubby.

TAKE A RELAXATION BREAK

To prevent the buildup of stress, the first line of defense is to stay calm and cool during potentially stress­ful circumstances. Take long, deep breaths, and breathe out your stress. Relax. Have a massage, or give yourself an oil massage by rubbing a few ounces of warm oil on your body, from head to toe. Vata individuals should use sessame oil, pitta individuals sun­flower oil, and kapha individuals corn oil. After your massage, take a hot shower or a hot tub bath. Mental techniques such as pos­itive imagery, prayer, singing and chanting, and meditation, as well as regular yoga exer­cises, are all effective to minimize and rem­edy stress.

ANALYZE YOUR STRESS

Separate the things in your life that you find stressful into two categories: things you can do something about, and things you can't. If you can do something about it, then do it! If there's nothing you can do, then surrender to it. Accept it. When there's nothing I can do about a situation, I have to surrender to it, and in accepting it, there is peace.

MONITOR YOUR NEGATIVE THINKING

Stress is often the result of fear that is based largely on imagination. Look at your negative think­ing, and replace it with positive thinking. Just changing your thinking or your attitude can alleviate much stress.

EXAMINE YOUR ROLE AND YOUR GOAL

Find the right match between your job and your personality. Job stress is a terrible burden on many people when work and personality are not appropriately matched. If you love what you are doing, there is no stress. If you don't love what you are doing and you still have to do it that is very stressful. So you have to discover your true role and your goal.

A SOOTHING BATH

A ginger-baking soda bath is quite soothing. Add 1/3 cup ginger and 1/3 cup baking soda to a hot bath for greater relaxation and healing.

OILS FOR RELAXATION

Rub a little brahmi oil on the soles of your feet and on your scalp at bedtime.

• Put one drop of pure castor oil (with no preservatives) into each of your eyes, and rub a little on the soles of your feet for a calming, soothing effect.

USE MEDICATED NOSE DROPS

Do nasya with brahmi ghee or plain ghee. Put 5 drops of the ghee into each nostril.

STRESS-REDUCING TEA

A tea made from equal proportions of the herbs chamomile, comfrey, and angelica will be relaxing. So will brahmi tea, which you can make by adding a cup of boiling water to 1/2 teaspoon brahmi. Or try a tea made from equal amounts of these herbs:
brahmi
bhringaraj
jatamamsi
shanka pushpi

Steep 1/2 teaspoon in 1 cup of hot water for 10 minutes. You can drink this tea 2 or 3 times a day for stress management.

YOGA STRETCHING

Certain specific asanas are effectively used for management of stress, especially the Shoulder Stand, Plow pose, Spinal Twist, and Locust pose. The Lion pose is also effective for relieving stress.

MEDITATION

Sit in the Lotus pose or the Easy pose (legs comfortably crossed) facing east, and meditate. Just observe the inflow and outflow of your breath, or do the So-Hum meditation

BREATHE AWAY STRESS

Ujjayi pranayama is deeply calming and helpful for relieving stress. You can do it sitting up, or try lying on your back in Savasana (the "corpse" or rest pose) and doing this breathing exercise.

LET YOURSELF CRY

If you have a lot of grief and sadness, it will help to cry out your stressful feelings. Crying is an excellent release for emotions.

LAUGHTER IS GOOD MEDICINE

Laughter is another good way to relieve stress. Try it, even if it is forced at first. Just start laughing! Soon real laughter will come and with it the release of tension and stress.

START YOUR WEEK WITH MEDITATION

Many people experience extra stress on Monday. They have to travel a long distance to work and start another week at a job they don't enjoy. It's a fact that heart attacks are more common on Mondays. To help you reduce stress at this crucial time, keep in mind that Monday is the day of the moon, and the moon represents the mind. So begin Monday morning-and your week-with 15 to 20 minutes of meditation before going to work. Regular daily meditation, morning and evening, is one of the best things you can do to keep your stress level low.