Studies show that more than
60-70 percent of all illnesses are stress related. Heart disease,
stomach ulcers, cancers, high blood pressure, aches and pains and mental
troubles are stress linked. Stress is good in itself - it stimulates us to do
better, making our lives and jobs more
interesting, and in some life threatening
situations stress can even help us survive- the “Fight or Flight
Response”.
Stress can also be a killer. It increases levels of hormones called gluccorticoids in the area of the brain involved in memory and learning.
By constantly keeping our brain stimulated to fever-pitch we begin to experience tension, confusion and fatigue. Our emotions become strained: we become angry, cynical, frustrated and unsettled.
Psychologically we suffer a condition called ‘burn-out’ where we find it hard to relate to our colleagues, to our family and even to our jobs. Studies show that creativity is blocked when we are stressed. We switch off and quite often we switch on to other things like alcohol, tranquillizers, drugs, cigarettes and food, in an effort to relieve the pressures of stress.
The cure for stress is relaxation or learning to let go. When we were young, we found it very easy to relax. Notice how easily children fall asleep wherever they may be. As we get older, we become more tense, our muscles tighten up and we find relaxing harder. Learning to trigger the alpha rhythm allows anyone to relax .We build more “Blue Marbles” the Relaxation Response.
As Mind Science graduates we know how to get into Alpha when we feel ourselves becoming stressed. Being able to do this would improve every area of our life. This is true whether we are at work, on a picnic with the family, playing a sport, making love or reading a book.
. To be relaxed is to be in a dynamic state of awareness, where the whole mind and body are passive, yet ready to obey the directions of the mind and respond to life’s challenges, for example during a final exam, an important business meeting or driving on a long journey.
Often at the Beta level we experience negative thoughts and sabotage ourselves. The key is to keep getting to our Alpha levels even though it may be difficult when we are overcome by negativities.
According to Dr. Hans Selye, a world authority on stress, each of us has a ‘stress bank’, a savings account deposited in our bodies as our life force or life energy. We should spend this energy wisely in activities which promote happiness and joy rather than in anger and negative reactions.
When stressed, tense, angry and worried at Beta, we become ‘big spenders’ of this account. This is why people age at different rates. CIF100
Part 11: DISCUSSION
1. What percent of illnesses are stress- related?
2.
According to the author,
how does stress become a killer?
3. What is the effect of ‘burn-out’?
4. What happens when we learn to “get to Alpha”.
5.
Dr. Hans Selye compares our ‘stress bank’ to a savings
account .What is the connection of this bank with age?
Part 111: REFLECTION
( Facilitator /Leader reads.)
Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and breathe normally.(Pause)
Take a deep breath………..Exhale
Take another deep breath ...Exhale
Take another deep breath…Exhale
With our eyes closed, let
us try remember ONE point that struck you during the Reading or
Discussion.(Pause)
Now let us try to think of
situations in our daily life where we are subject to stress.(Pause)
How do we react with our family at home? (Pause) How do we
react with our colleagues at work?
(Pause) How do we react with our neighbours?(Pause) How do we react
while driving?(Pause)
If our reactions to the above is negative then we are certainly under stress. The only way to overcome this situation is to be relaxed by getting to our levels daily. (Pause)
Let us ask ourselves sincerely how often do we get to our levels to ‘çharge’ our stress bank? (Pause)
Do we enjoy getting to our levels or do we do it as a routine? (Pause)
Now that we realize the importance of getting to our levels, let us now reflect on how we are going to build more and more of the “Blue marbles” – the relaxation response in our daily life. (Pause)
Let us get ready to come out of your levels slowly.
Take a deep breath……..Exhale
Take a deep breath………Exhale
When ready , flip your fingers, open your eyes, feeling perfectly relaxed.
ACTION
FOR THE MONTH
During this month, let each of us pay attention to
how we relate or react to our family members when under stress i.e.
husband/wife, children, brothers/sisters, in-laws etc…
When
tempted to react negatively or in anger, remember to use the “YELLOW CARD”.
MSM NEWS FLASH
# MSM
EXCO MINOR RESHUFFLE
- Member SELVESTER MARANDAH
has taken over as Hon. Treasurer of MSM with effect from October 2002. MSM
records its appreciation to the former Treasurer CHEONG FOOK WIN who
vacates the post due to new commitments but however has graciously
consented to serve in the Committee as a member.
- W.A. Shashila resigns as
Committee member due to pressure of work. MSM records its appreciation to
her for her contributions to MSM over the years.
#
MINDyourMIND SEMINAR 02 in K.L.
Date: (4 Days) 19,20 Oct & 9,10 Nov
2002
Venue: PEARL INTERNATIONAL HOTEL
Old
Klang Road, K.L.
Tel: Mr. Edwin 03-20310864 or 012-6369664
