reduce stress

Scientists have confirmed what the overwhelmed have already known. Stress increases aging. Want proof? Just look at the aging that occurs in our presidents after four years in office. Increasing scientific evidence suggests that prolonged stress takes its toll on the body, in other words there is no separation between mind and body. According to a study done at UCSF, our bodies respond to our psychological environment. It was further reported that chronic stress may modulate the rate of cellular aging by affecting molecules believed to play a key role in the weakening of the immune function.

Our DNA is affected by stress. Researchers examined structures inside cells called telomeres, the caps at the ends of chromosomes. These are the molecules that carry genes. In a study at UCSF with two control groups, the findings reported that the telomeres of women with the highest perceived psychological stress showed the effects of the equivalent of approximately 10 years of accelerated aging. This was compared with the women across both groups who had the lowest perception of being stressed.

I have a dear friend who last year went through tremendous stress in her life. She dealt with the difficult illness and eventual death of a friend/mentor. Her teaching career, which had always been her passion, became more about numbers than the sharing of information with a new regime taking over the college. Her family dealt with an upheaval and her health is challenged by a chronic illness. Those of us who love her, became concerned.

She was fortunate, she was able to retire and move to the mountains for 6 months of the year. She spent time hiking and reflecting. She took time to heal. Upon her return, I could not believe it was the same friend. She looks ten years younger and is more like herself once again.

We don’t all have the good fortune of retiring and moving away like that. However, imagine making the choice to change the stress in your life today. Reduce stress by 10% at first and then continue to reduce stress 10% at a time until it is manageable. Begin with deep breathing. It is a physiological impossibility to feel stress and breathe deeply in through the nose and out through the mouth.

Humor is our friend. Through humor we are able to re-frame a situation and quiet the inner critic. This allows you to gain perspective and release endorphins, the feel good chemicals of the brain. Personally, I remind my son every morning on his way to school to find a reason to smile and laugh. I ask him after school, did anything happen today that made you smile?

Hypnosis is an awesome opportunity for stress relief. Picture and imagine sitting someplace safe and allowing your thoughts wander to comfort and serenity. Allow your muscles to relax, releasing tensions and tightness. Then just imagine that everything in your world is right. After all, in this moment, it is. I think I will go relax into a hypnotic state myself now……..

I can’t help but hear the Donna Summers song ringing in the back of my head:

They said it on the air
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh
On the radio
Whoa oh oh oh
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh

I got a call from a top radio station in my area, they’ve asked me to hypnotize the local morning DJ’s this Thursday! Just for fun, although one of them has a goal in mind for helping his life. Perhaps I can teach the listening audience how to reduce stress. It is the station my son listens to and he will be home from school as he has no exams that day. Knowing he will be listening is more pressure than any other audience member!

I plan on keeping it clean, yet creating fun. (After all, my mother lives nearby, don’t want to mortify her too much!) I’ll let you know how it goes! It will air on Thursday, January 17th from 8:00am until 9 am, at least that is what they tell me…….

Perhaps you will want to listen in and understand the trials and tribulations of my son(s) better. (Any letters of sympathy can be sent to: [email protected] and I will be sure to forward them).

Perhaps you are a supporter of mothers who dreamt of better things for their daughters and will want to listen in and tell Mumsy there is still hope. (You can write to the same address, those will also be forwarded.)

Maybe, just maybe, you are actually interested in hearing the fun and frivolity we hope to create.

Whatever the motivation, join us at: http://97xonline.com/
click on the on air broadcast and you will be able to join in the fun!