Building a Strong Body: Tao of Stress Management

In Chinese Medicine, it is said that the Jing, or Essence, is the physical manifestation of Qi (Vital Energy). Based on this principle, it is essential to have a strong physical foundation in order to sustain good energy levels, emotional stability, and mental clarity. So, effective stress management MUST start with building a strong body that can function harmoniously in any situation.

We Need Stress

Stress is a natural part of life, and it can't be avoided. In fact, a life without stress is not life at all. One must be challenged in order to grow and thrive.

In today's fast-paced world it is easy to become overwhelmed by stress. Stress from work, relationships, financial problems, and the crazy pace of information exchange can create a constant drain on your life, energy and health - if you let them.

And, therein lies the key. You have a choice. Are you going to let things control you? Or, are you going to take charge of your circle of influence and make it as peaceful and productive as possible?

If you choose to take charge, the most important thing to know is this: What can I control?

The answer to that question is rather simple, but many of us simply don't see it. Simple things are like that. They are elusive because as humans we have a tendency to overcomplicate things. But, when we can clear our minds and mute our pride long enough to see through all the little games we play, the simple truth shines through.

In this series I will be telling you things that you've probably already heard. They are simple and straightforward -- so much so that our overcomplicated minds have trouble believing them. Keep an open mind and this will all make sense.

The ABCs of Stress Management

The first step in effective stress management is to simply stop creating more stress for yourself. As humans we are masters of creating stress, and the reason for this is that we are always trying to control what we can't control. Being out of control can be very stressful, so it is important to learn what we can control, then learn how to let go of the things we can't.

The things we can control are what I like to call the "ABCs" of stress management: Attitude, Breathing, and Choices.

Think about it for a minute. Is there ANYTHING you really control outside of those three aspects of your life?

When you get a handle on your attitude, learn to control your breathing, and learn to make positive, beneficial choices for yourself, you are well on your way to stress-reduction and long-term stress-management.

Taking Control of Your Physical Body

The first step in effective stress management is to take control of your body's health. We do this primarily by making good choices, but we also need to adjust our attitude towards ourselves.

The most effective way to a stronger body is the same thing we already know: proper diet and a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise. When you incorporate these into your regular habits, you are choosing to feel better, be stronger, and prepare yourself to meet life's challenges in a balanced way.

Here are a few foundations you can implement to help yourself better manage stress right now.

Sleep - The Cornerstone of Stress Management

Your body has a miraculous ability to restore and heal itself. The vast majority of its restorative powers are at work while you sleep. This is another expression of your body's intelligent function -- while you are awake and responding to stress, the cells and tissues are in "fight" mode, hence most of your body's resources are directed at the muscles, skin, and sense organs.

At night, however, your body goes into healing overdrive. Glands and deep internal organs become infused with blood, and the resting state of the muscles and sense organs allows your "sixth sense" to take over and direct a massive reconstruction effort. This reconstruction is designed by nature to keep you fresh, alert, and ready to handle the stresses of the following day.

Even the most advanced conventional drugs and medicines fail to compare to the effects of rest and recuperation during illness.

Your ability to handle stress is dramatically weakened by sleep deprivation, because your body is not able to restore itself. It is like a road that is never maintained -- the cars keep driving over it, the weather keeps beating cracks and holes into it, and nobody ever comes to smooth it over or clean it up. Over time it becomes more and more difficult to drive that road.

Therefore, without adequate sleep and rest, you only ensure that your road in life becomes less smooth and more difficult to navigate.

The commonly recommended amount of sleep is 6 - 8 hours nightly. I encourage you to make 8 hours the minimum, and to get more from time to time when it is feasible.

Sleep well, and it will help you be well.

Build a Stronger Body and You Will Build a Better Life

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