2020: A Year of Stress (Solutions) in Review
And, what a year it has been. I will not bore you with a listing of all the
“stressful” things that have happened this year. Instead, let’s review the
solutions proposed.
In January 2020 the topic was: Train Students in Mindfulness to Reduce
Stress and Improve Grades. Training students, even kindergarten age
students, in Mindfulness is something that holds great promise of making
a difference in our future. Whenever you bring awareness to what you’re
directly experiencing via your senses, or to your state of mind via your
thoughts and emotions, you’re being mindful. And there’s growing
research showing that when you train your brain to be mindful, you’re
actually remodeling the physical structure of your brain. As little as 5 or 10
minutes daily attention to breathing and becoming mindful of your
surroundings will reduce student’s stress levels, improve their grades and
result in fewer absences.
February introduced the concept of Living Long and Stress Free. In an
article by healthline on Habits to a long life, stress reduction was only
mentioned after much talk about foods you eat and exercise. However,
recent research publications speak volumes about the links between
stress and dementia and stress and longevity.
March’s topic was The Zen of Balance. It is important to balance your Do
List and your Be Time. Do’s always increase Cortisol. Being reduces it.
Enough said.
April found us in the throes of the virus and having to shut our office doors
and stay at home. I must admit that I found that a wonderful respite but I
know many found it stressful. It was the Uncertainty of what was going to
happen that builds the fear. A friend sent a copy of a letter from Dr. Jean
Houston to me. Her letter beautifully describes one future that possibly is
growing out from the Covid-19 chaos. That change could be increased
compassion among the peoples in the world. Dr. Houston wrote: “All of my
life I have been dedicated to encouraging the potential that every person
carries within them. I’ve taught about our innate depths, our possibilities,
and our purpose. Now, however, it’s time to live out the promise that we all
carry, to become noble, kind and compassionate people. This week on
television, I witnessed the best and most fearful sides of our natures. On
the one hand, I saw violent videos of shoppers fighting over toilet paper,
and also experienced indiscriminate generosity while shopping at my local
Costco.”
Several months were then spent on the Tapping Solution. Tapping has
research showing it can reduce cortisol by 43%. Tapping was followed by
a focus on Exercise as a good solution for some for reducing the day’s
excess buildup of cortisol. Finally, breathing – either on your own – or by
using a simple machine and program to help you gradually move your
breathing into a therapeutic range. The machine is called Resperate and it
only takes 20 minutes a day.
Wishing everyone a Happy and less Stressful 2021.