Family, work, finances, being pressed for time…these stressors are all too common in our lives today. Too many stressors leave us feeling…well, stressed! There is a way to handle stress simply. Stress is a state we experience when we are asked to meet a demand that seems to be a little (or a lot) too much for our current resources. If you find yourself in a state of stress, you’re not the only one. Consider the following stats:
Nearly 1 in 5 American adults say that their mental health has declined since last year (American Psychological Association, 2020)
U.S. adults surveyed in 2020 reported that increased stress has:
Negatively affected their behavior (49%)
Increased tension in their bodies (21%)
Caused them to “snap” out of anger (20%)
Caused unexpected mood swings (20%)
Sixty-five percent of Americans surveyed said that the current uncertainty in the nation causes them stress (American Psychological Association, 2020)
The more stress we experience, the greater our desire to find a state of balance. After all, these things ALL seem important on any given day. How to balance each demand and keep our sanity? At times, it’s too much of a struggle. Many of us strive for balance. However, it can be elusive to find and even harder to sustain for any length of time. This is where being centered may be a more helpful intention in terms of stress.
Handling stress simply and being centered
So we want to handle stress simply…where does being centered come in? Being centered requires us to know ourselves and our environment. We need to know where we stand in our physical space, life’s situations, in our relationships, and even within ourselves. Centered is a reference point to guide us home when life’s demands push us off balance. When we cannot find that reference point, we become anxious, disconnected, and struggle with motivation to do anything. We typically recognize we need to get back to that central reference point yet struggle with how to do it. Importantly, our mental, physical, and spiritual reference points ground us in the present moment. From this place of center, we begin the process of effectively and efficiently turning towards our goals with strength and focus. There are simple and easily accessible ways to find center in our lives.
Join us!
I will present the first of a Mindfulness Made Simple Series on June 23, 2022, via Zoom from 6:00 – 6:30pm. For this topic, I’ll be partnering with NAMI Lake County, OH. I’ll be sharing ways to learn how to increase the likelihood of balance with stressors and find center. This is for the NAMI Lake County, OH members as well as the entire community. Simply click this link to register. https://presentmomentMY.as.me/AmIBalancedorCentered
Sign up for Mindfulness, Yoga, and Meditation with me here. Together, we’ll begin, expand, or refine your journey.
Love, Light, Prayers, and Peace!
Alyson Phelan CYT-500, CMMT, TRCC
Certified Yoga Teacher 500 hour
Certified Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher Trauma Responsive Care Certified
