The problem with typical stress techniques

I’d like to take a minute to explain why all of those stress techniques like Yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises actually do yield results, but I'm also going to talk to you about the problem with relying only on physical exercises to relieve tension. I am going to share with you what most sites and experts never tell you.

The reason they work is not because you are casting a magic spell that makes anxiety and daily pressures disappear into smoke. What they’re really doing is providing a distraction—or disassociation—from immediate dilemmas that are causing stress.

In ancient Japan, Buddhists on the path to enlightenment would endlessly chant the character “Mu” as they try to achieve complete understanding. Mu represents nothingness (The Japanese were conflicted in their opinions of life after death, as nothingness was deemed a fate just as karmic afterlives and reincarnated states were also expected).

But to achieve the state of nothingness on Earth would require having no thoughts or Earthly identity. It is becoming one with the environment to such an extent every other mortal worry disappears. It’s no surprise how state officials would usually retire amidst their careers to become monks. My guess is that they were desperate to get away from their 9-to-5’s.

With respect to Buddhism, I am not convinced that temporary disassociations are a long term fix to lower stress and anxiety in your life. These techniques certainly have benefit and should be practiced. Yoga helps with blood circulation. Breathing exercises will certainly relieve tension. Meditation is highly important in your lifestyle.

But they’re not permanent solutions to live a less stressful life. The real culprit is negative thought patterns. It’s the conscious and unconscious promotion of fear and anxiety that you really have to be careful of. You can do all the Yoga and meditation you want, but unless you’re able to bring that meditative state into the work-place or wherever you’re having stress problems, it’s not going to do much good. It’s just disassociation and it probably won’t last past those 30 minutes of bending your legs over your head.

Instead of waking up and trying to work up enough motivation to contort your body around, try to just feel good about yourself. I know that’s a stretch, isn’t it? Another idea is to make someone else feel good about themselves. Make a little scoreboard in your head. Compliment four people today. You’ll find it was easy enough to do, and definitely not a stressful goal. It’ll also get you out of your own headspace for a while, which is another good way to lessen your stress—by creating a more constructive goal versus obsessing about your own faults and behaviors.

I can't think of a better cause then to help people experience days with less stress, less anxiety, and more enjoyment. So I created StressTechniques.org where you will find plenty of articles, in addition to the articles here at blogger, to help keep you up-to-date and feeling great. See you next time.