Want to Be Smarter? Then Learn to Relax
Part of my journey to wellness has been about learning how to manage stress. For years in my corporate job, I just thought that stress was just part of life, everyone I knew was the same.
It wasn't until I stepped off that hamster wheel to focus on my recovery after cancer treatment that I really started to understand the connection between stress and illness.
When stressed you simply cannot think straight, and after being permanently stressed for any period of time, we don't even notice any more. Not consciously anyway.
Our bodies haven't evolved much for thousands of years, we still have the instinctive 'flight, fight or freeze' instinct. and that makes sense if you are being chased by a wild animal, you don't need to think clearly, you just need all your energy to run away. It's just your body trying to keep you safe. That makes much less sense if your stress is caused by your boss demanding something you are behind with, or some other challenge.
The problem is when you live constantly in a state of stress. The example of being chased by an animal, would be for a short period of time - hopefully. When the danger has passed, the body can get back to it's day to day business of supporting your immune system, digestive, endocrine and reproductive systems. And that includes your brain being able to function at it's full capacity. Stress literally makes us less able to think clearly, I certainly know how that feels, and the more stressed you get, the more confused you can become.
"High stress levels are not only associated with poorer brain functioning but may even link to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease," says Brendan Kelley, MD, neurologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio.
The good news is there are a lot of techniques you can use to help with this, you can learn how to relax and calm your mind. I have always had great ideas in the shower, now I understand why. If you are fully relaxed, your creative brain has a chance to flourish.
This week I will be completing a course in EFT - emotional freedom technique - so simple and yet so effective. If you haven't experienced this, I would recommend that you check it out.
There are a lot of free videos on YouTube, and I will be doing some myself to help you.
So remember to take very good care of yourself, it's never too late to start a new healthy habit
As always I am always here for you,
I'd love to send you a free gift - from my heart to your heart - click below to get my book, Confidence after Cancer:
Stay safe, stay sane my friend!
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