2 Simple, Effective Techniques to Reduce Stress-Producing Acid and Feel More Alive

Role-playing dice

Stress is a killer; we all know that and science can now prove it – never mind the therapists, Naturopaths, healers, etc. who have been saying this for decades.

It is a pet peeve of mine that people wait for "scientists" to tell them what is staring them in the face or more aptly, killing them or those close to them.

But moving right along...

The acid produced by continued stress eventually creates a variety of debilitating diseases (many unrecognised by the medical profession) which will kill us off if we do not take preventative measures now.

We also die each day to be "born" anew in every 24-hour sleep and wake cycle. We die to who we were, the hurt and pain, loss, recrimination and resentment, stifling limiting beliefs and seemingly impossible personal circumstance.

What is beautiful is that we have the opportunity to start afresh on a brand new day. Doesn't that stimulate you in some way? Give it some thought.

So many of us feel that our circumstances are so dire that we think dying might be a solution because living is so painful.

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. ~Maria Robinson

What you need to understand is that the pain comes from the feeling of loss, of not knowing what to do next or how to do it. That is a crippling feeling of emotional disarray opens the door to fear.

When you allow fear to enter, it is your way of saying "I have no confidence or faith in my abilities". You are also saying, "I feel alone and powerless" which is all well and good if you recognise your state of emotional disarray.

When you feel blindsided by life and deadened by circumstances, the easiest thing to do is to pick up where you left off the previous day and begin the same crapshoot all over again which of course will give you the same results.

Yes, it is insane, no doubt about that yet we keep repeating the cycle over and over again.

Breaking this loop is simple. Stop doing what you have been doing all your life and decide to act based on what you know instead of your typical knee-jerk, emotional re-action. You will get a different result.

You have two simple ways to do proceed and both are very effective.

Image via WikipediaMeditation puts on the light in an otherwise dark room. It enables us to see through illusions and relax into our true nature. Without meditation, it is like being in a desert without water. We look everywhere for satisfaction, but like a mirage it cannot be seen or found. ~Ed and Deb Shapiro 

1.    Meditate for 20 minutes each day (twice a day is better)

Instead of jumping out of bed when you wake each day unless it is to empty your bladder or your bowel (which is a very good thing by the way), stay in bed.

Use this time to centre yourself and establish a solid foundation for your day.

This brand new day gives you a new lease on life. Grasp that opportunity.

» Set your alarm to wake you 20 minutes before your normal time.

» Sit or lie comfortably on your bed and relax. Feel the vitality in your magnificent body from your head right down to your toes. A wonderful mantra to say in your mind as you appreciate your Self "May I be well, May I be happy, May I be filled with loving kindness. May all beings be well, May all beings be happy, May all beings be filled with loving kindness".

Continue until it is time to begin your normal routine.

2.    Breathe your way to better health and vitality

Did you know that when you breathe deeply into your stomach for 3 minutes, you reduce the stress-making acid in your body thereby improving your health? Dr Richard A. Di Censo of Beyond Medicine has lots more to say about this.

I have been practising this deep breathing for years long before I knew about these scientifically proven benefits and I can tell you that you feel lighter and mentally clearer and well-rested after such a session. It literally dissipates the stressed feelings.

» When you feel stressed or when you feel  the pressure building, take 3, 5, or 10 minutes to breathe consciously. Breathe in deeply through your nose lifting your chest and letting the air inflate your belly.

» Hold it for a beat or two then breathe out slowly and continuously - not in one whoosh - through your mouth until your belly feels as if it is touching your back.

A rhythm will gradually build as you continue. This may feel difficult at first because most of us breathe shallowly in our upper chest and rarely expand our lungs.

Image by Erik van Ravenstein  By the way, another by-product of deep breathing is that it alleviates constipation. Why? Because the in and out belly breathing contracts and relaxes your colon encouraging the passage of body waste.

Start today. It's all worth it!

To subject your emotional nature to critical analysis unleashes its transformative powers. When you feel, see and question this principal part of you, you begin to wonder if there is desire, doubt, hate, anger, lust, fear or anything else that holds you prisoner. Are you really any of this? ~Natasha Dern 

You gain clarity of thought and purpose and silence those noisy thoughts that clutter your mind with these two simple and effective techniques. Clear minds equal clear thoughts and well-thought out, unemotional decisions and focussed actions.

And as Ed and Deb Shapiro say in their wonderful article If nothing ever changed there would be no full moon. Powerful tips to practise and live by. Read it!

Increased awareness is the natural result of combined breathwork and meditation and you no longer focus on your limitations and that is a huge. Be stressless people. It is the only way to live!

Incorporate these two practices into your daily life reduces the acid produced by stress, and feel more alive. You might also want to read How to stop absorbing other people's negative emotions. Excellent tips there from Judith Orloff.