We now know that persistent, chronic, low-level stress is a major cause of turmoil and suffering. Acute physical, chemical or mental stressors, that have a well defined beginning and end, are something we are well designed to handle. It’s the pervasive, on-going, ever-present stress of day-to-day living that we now see as the real villain. Chronic, unrelenting stress involves demands that cause the Wisdom of the body to divert energy normally used to maintain balanced thought and physical homeostasis. This diverted energy is then ready to be used for fight or flight. Energy focus is changed from inward to outward. This is proper if there is a real threat to life and limb. It is not proper if it is continually on-going. When our energy focus is outward: - We are lateralized into one or the other brain hemisphere;
- One side of the brain is dominant, the other side is passive;
- One side of the body is powerful and the other side weak;
- Balance, homeostasis, and whole brain function is lost.
This lateralized state is appropriate when there is real danger and when it only lasts for short periods of time. It is inappropriate when it lasts for weeks, months or years. Numerous studies indicate that an inappropriate stress response is, for many people, a lifetime proposition. |  |
When the Wisdom of the body believes we are in danger, It automatically shifts us into a flight or flight mode. This happens because our defense mechanisms are designed to work in a priority way. When It perceives that we are in danger, i.e. either chronic or acute stress, that is a higher priority than maintaining homeostasis. It could mean life or death. We shift into mainly one hemisphere of the brain, refocusing and redistributing the body’s limited amount of energy outward, ready for battle or escape. When we lose homeostasis it means we are moving away from our natural potential. Early warning, objective signs that homeostasis has been lost, are selective weakness, excessive tension, structural imbalance, and defensiveness. In time, after an incubation period of take-it-for-granted, come-and-go problems, serious challenges ultimately become apparent. Treating these warning signs and symptoms is dealing with effects, not the cause. For this unfortunate state to be corrected, the Wisdom within must, through appropriate sensory stimuli, become aware that chronic stress does not necessarily indicate a serious threat. When this happens, the brain synchronizes, weak areas become strong, improper tension levels drop, structure rights itself, we become more naturally objective, and, if damage is not too great, challenges tend to gradually melt away. Research indicates that Stress is Causative and that Distress is an Effect of that Cause. Time is a critical intermediate factor. At any moment we are in a balanced, un-stressed state, in an improvement stage, or we are stressed-off-balance and getting progressively worse. Coming out of an inappropriate, off balancing stress state results in: - Whole Brain Function;
- Increased Strength;
- Less Tension;
- Physical Balance;
- Greater Life Expression.
Well-Being, Heightened Awareness, Self Healing, Ease, A Source Reconnect, and Inner Peace Become Real Possibilities. |
