Recognizing Life's Rhythm
Life often unfolds with a distinct rhythm or phase. Amidst our bustling daily routines, we sometimes find ourselves swept up in the fast-paced cadence of existence. If this tempo persists, we may struggle to keep pace with the rhythm we've fallen into.
Unveiling the Stress Response
I once came across a definition of stress that has stuck with me:
”Stress is something we experience when we feel a distance between where we are and where we think we should be."
When we enter a sympathetic state of the nervous system (commonly referred to as the fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response), we typically feel heightened tension, rigidity, alertness, and a desire for control. Observing our breath in these moments, we notice it becomes faster, more fragmented, and shallower, with a pronounced emphasis on inhalation over exhalation.
Reconnecting with Our Inherent Rhythm
A typical stress reaction might be to push ourselves harder, striving to catch up to our perceived obligations. But what if, in these moments, the best course of action is to take a moment for the opposite? What if we paused and allowed ourselves to reconnect with our innate rhythm of existence – nurturing what counters stress: exhalation, fluidity, and ease? Maybe this is where true clarity and perspective can be found.
Exploring Fluidity
What activities most effectively transport you to a state of fluidity?
For some, it may involve immersing oneself in the rhythms of nature, sweating it out in the gym, going for a run, dancing, practicing yoga, taking a cold plunge, or indulging in a sauna session. For others, it might mean having a laugh with a good friend, finding solace in creativity, or simply taking a moment to enjoy a favorite hobby.
Transitioning Towards Fluidity
It's likely different for each of us, and the transition may not occur instantaneously. However, by letting our body's experience of tension versus fluidity guide us, we move away from the need for rational solutions.
While this notion isn't groundbreaking, it's something I, for one, find useful to continually remind myself of.
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