Stress Relief

I started by looking at the existing stress techniques out there (ones you know and probably have tried) and made them better, taking principles from here and adding them there.

After a while though, I realised whilst researching the behavior of the human animal, principles that are often used elsewhere can be used or implemented in stress reduction and work wonders.

I would like to share some of the basics with you here but before I do I will quickly advise you how to navigate the site. There are formats for people that learn in many different ways, the stress videos section are some of my videos and some of the more informative ones I have found on the web (most of them are rubbish - I picked the best ones for you).

The stress audio section has audio books for those that want to listen on their ipods or while on the go and the stress articles section is in text format for those who want to do it the traditional way! Lastly if you wish to access our 'Lightning Quick Stress Solution' and stay in touch with me Click here.

Now we can get to the good stuff!

It took me a while to realise (I can be a bit slow at times) that with respect to stress many people are focused on completely the wrong things. Everyone seems to be looking for the next stress management technique to make them feel calm when they get stressed but know one seems to be looking for a way to avoid that situation all together.

The standard life cycle of someone who seeks stress information is, they get stressed, try a new technique, maybe it works maybe it doesn't . If it works they will inevitably get stressed again at some stage and eventually they will either give up using that technique due to lack of patience, or it will start to lose it's effectiveness.

If it doesn't work the person sees stress as something that cannot be stopped and continues to shorten their life by doing all the same things to ensure longer lasting damage.

I think all this comes from an acceptance that many people believe that they will get stressed, there is nothing they can do to stop it and all they can hope for is that they don't get so out of control that they punch someone (hopefully this isn't you!).

Your beliefs equal your reality so if you believe the above information its probably true for you however, it is unnecessary.

This particular subject inspired me to think about Stress prevention vs. Stress reduction - which is better? With the conclusion that surely it is better to stop yourself getting stressed in the first place than to get stressed then reduce it. But what do the below have in common?

1. Relaxation breathing
2. Progressive Muscle Relaxation
3. Positive Visualization
4. Yoga
5. Meditation
6. A Stress Journal/Diary
7. Massage
8. Baths

I really could make the list go on and while I am certainly not saying these are bad things, they are all reduction or relaxation techniques and are unlikely to stop you getting stressed in the first place (meditation is a possible exception to this).

There are hundreds if not thousands of products and websites who's sole aim is stress reduction and in my eyes this is concentrating on completely the wrong thing.

It is good to be able to stop or reduce stress when it happens and there are resources on the site which will help in this area but surely your focus should be to stop it happening all together.

I have previously considered the question "Is stress an emotion?" my conclusion being yes. Stress is not an external thing which pounces on us which we have no control over, it is determined by our perception of a situation then if we think it is justified to become stressed (we feel it is reasonable to do so and we can justify it) we will become stressed.

Just like happiness (another emotion) it is a personal perception (like a gage), how we perceive the situation through our own eyes determines how we act (or react).

So can we control our perceptions or emotions?

These are simply behaviors or habits we have learnt. Just as you have learnt red means stop and green means go, you have learnt when you think you should become stressed and when there is no need.

The first step is accepting or knowing this is in your ability to change as people often decide they can't do something before they have begun.

Just know that if that's something you think, you have formed a belief and feel you have evidence to support that belief. If you begin to look for different answers however, you might find better beliefs (seek and you shall find).

Second navigate the site and stay in touch - let me know how you are getting on and what you think about the information. I am regularly stumbling on great stress beating information and it is my pleasure to share it with you.

Joseph.