thoughts on stress

[buttystella]

Reddoe you are correct in saying we are in a prepping situation and this can lead to higher stress levels. This is how life is in my opinion. The work place is an unnatural habitat for us humans and our curtailed responses create more stress.
How do i cope? well firstly i have learned to say No, this is a massive help for me because i used to say yes and then regret my offer. Secondly, certain people can drain me they seem to have an ability to feed off my energy levels so i avoid them. On the plus- side some people i actually enjoy their company and welcome this contact. Thirdly i love walking but it has to be away from traffic noise and people, best in woodland for me. I actually take time and standstill to take in the sights and sounds of the area. I love to breath the fresh morning air in the woodland, it seems so different to other times of day. Walking at night is good because i look up at the stars and realise our time here is short and it makes me feel grateful that i am here to see them from a position of life. Yes many things pale into insignificance at such times even my wrinkles and bald head.

[scoops_uk]

Meditation doesn't work (too busy, too much 'thinking' no off switch)

Meditation does work, but I think you're missing the point. The point is not to empty your mind and switch off, rather the opposite, to be acutely aware of the present and to recognise the thoughts that form that stream of mind chatter as what they are, thoughts arising in that moment. Accept them and let them go.

Meditation is about learning how your mind works, becoming aware of your mind.

a kind of nonelaborative, nonjudgmental present-centered awareness in which each thought, feeling, or sensation that arises in the attentional field is acknowledged and accepted as it is.

I have been severely depressed (diagnosed) and mindfulness meditation literally saved my life.

Credible mainstream medical research is showing that meditation is stunningly effective. Of course the sceptics might say it's all in my mind, but then, isn't that the point? Although, even the Daily Mail has noticed!

I recommend buying any book/CD on mindfulness, especially the stuff by Jon Kabat-Zinn and giving it a go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nwwKbM_vJc

Scoops

[diamond lil]

I'm very aware of the spiritual side of life, it's essential for all of us & you need it for balance. I'd second the walking at night- and stargazing, and I do a fair bit of cloud-watching, I do some meditation but not overly fancy ones, and above all I am content to let things be how they are meant to be. Not trying to force things or change things.. but more to believe that all things are meant and it will turn out for the best in the end. There's an awful lot more to life than work and "stuff" and status and money

[PreppingPingu]

Thankyou for this post - its one of those posts that is valid at all times. It is good to think about these types of things as they are often left out with the day to day, nitty gritty stuff.

As long as you are aware of how situations can effect you mentally as well as physically, then you can find your own personal way to deal with and be ontop of how you are. Some of us have a strong mental state, others not and at the end of the day none of us are really sure how we will fair in any highly stressful situation, be it current debts/threat of job losses or a world/climate SHtF senario. Just be mindful that no matter how well you think you can and do cope, there will days and times when you can't - but we wouldn't human if we were able to cope 100%. We can often learn alot at these sort of times if we are mindful of that.