Three years ago I was sat in my local doctors surgery after a riding accident with one of the ponies. I don't go to the doctors very often, averaging once every 3 years since I pursued health promoting activities, so it's a eye opening experience when I do go.
On this occasion I am sat in the surgery, and as an avid people watcher and lover of health, I got curious as to why each person was there and what was the driver behind their health issue(s).
If I had to score the stress levels of the people in that room compared to anywhere else, I bet those in the surgery would score magnitudes higher for all manner of reasons.
Aside from the stress of being ill, this is because there is a long and well documented correlation between stress levels and physical and mental disfunction, aka dis-ease.
Stress
1. pressure or tension exerted on a material object.
2. a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.
In medical literature stress is cited as a causative factor in low immunity, bronchial constriction, insulin disregulation, excessive stomach acid and arterial plaque deposition resulting in viruses, asthma, diabetes, stomach ulcers and atherosclerosis (1).
Stress is also considered to be the number one cause of mental health issues, with issues such as lack of income, political unrest and lack of caregiving in childhood just some examples of the kinds of stresses that can go on to manifest as illnesses such as anxiety, depression, insomnia and addiction.
I can concur. I know from my own journey with chronic fatigue, that even if you are unaware of it at the time, illness doesn't "just happen" and that a number of factors contribute towards a disease.
Stress management
As a lover of a stress management tool that facilitates the healing powers of the mind-body connection, I got very curious as to how much benefit could I give to the people in the waiting room?
Looking around, I was confident that I could reduce the stress and even doctor's visits by more than half of the people in that room if they were to learn a body-based meditation with me.
It's a very bold statement, but after studying the mind-body connection and teaching meditation for 10 years now (plus my own first hand experience), I KNOW that through knowing some background information and applying some simple tools, a whole world of difference can be made.
Throughout the years I have had the privilege of supporting countless people to address their chronic fatigue, pain, insomnia, anxiety, depression, infertility and irritable bowel.
Almost every week I am reminded of a success story of a client that has worked with me and it is the best feeling!
I love nothing more than helping people to understand the cause of their issues and redirecting them back to their true selves.
Our bodies, given the right conditions, are designed to repair themselves. Broken bones heal, stomach linings are replaced and hormone levels can normalise. Address the reason for the stress and homeostasis will return - we are simply designed that way!
As you can tell, I am very passionate about this!
This is because I see too many people not knowing that the greatest asset to their health journey is some knowledge and themselves. Knowledge is powerful; It helps shape the way we think and behave; and we are phenomenal beings, capable of restoring health and harmony.
To this end, I have dropped the price of Monday's Meditation For Health course by 50% when you sign up with the code HEALTH50.
This online course is a 6-week look at the common causes of stress in our life and some quick and easy ways to reduce the pressure. I'll be sharing a beautiful healing meditation technique so you can develop a daily practice of stress release and insights into the mind-based causes of common ailments, so can enjoy a lifetime journey of healing and better health.
If you, or someone you know is struggling with a chronic health condition, please direct them to this course! Participants can either attend live and ask questions, or sign up to get access to the replays and follow up emails.
I look forward to welcoming you, as we traverse this journey called life, together! If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch.