Stressed Out? Time to Chill Out

Sometimes it takes a moment out of the frenzied, chatter of our minds, to realise that we are not, in fact, doing as well as we might be.

Stress is a common predictor of relapse.  We carry stress in our bodies, but tend to filter out the experience through our powerful minds, that tell us we’re doing fine.  Which we are.  Until we’re not. 

 

Recently, taking a break away from my usual surroundings, and ordinary routine which, whilst varied is more or less predictable and involves a lot of rushing around the urban landscape, proved to be a timely reminder of how my body, just like my car, requires maintenance. 

Becoming better attuned to our bodies is an important component of recovery:  for this is where the warning signals first occur.  It varies between individuals, and different people may have different ‘stress signatures’ but these could include lethargy, headaches, digestive troubles, sleeping too much or too little. 

All too often we procrastinate and put off taking that all-important break, kidding ourselves that balance is a luxury.  Balance is essential, and does not come naturally.  We need to learn to respect and listen to our bodies, to befriend the early warning signs and respond to these.  Without our health we stand far less chance of achieving the goals we are so closely focused on attaining.

Depression has been described as ‘the common cold of psychopathology’.  Looked at from this angle, it might be seen in a more positive light – as something capable of serving us when we aren’t necessarily able to do so for ourselves:  depression might be nature’s way of slowing us down and forcing us to take much-needed rest.  An extreme remedy no doubt, but an effective one nonetheless.  I regularly encounter individuals in the grips with a depression – perhaps the battle might cease more quickly if we are able to acknowledge the different messages our moods convey.