Stress And Illness - Breaking The Emotional Cycle

Our emotions are always letting us know to what degree stress is running our life. And when stress is running our life for extended periods of time our chances of experiencing the physical manifestations of that stress become greater.

If we learn to manage our emotions; learn to stay in tune with what we are feeling and commit to reaching for "feel good" emotions when stressful emotions are present, we can begin to shift the cycle of stress before stress and illness becomes a partnership we wished we had never unwittingly encouraged.

Ultimately, all emotions will land within one of two categories: Stress Based Emotions and Stress Less Emotions.

Stress Based Emotions include feeling: frustrated, ashamed, guilty, apathetic, angry, disappointed, sad, anxious, depressed, impatient, resistant, indifferent, abandoned, betrayed, rejected, confused, discouraged, critical, embarrassed, inferior, lonely, skeptical, submissive, jealous, hurt, insecure, hostile, inadequate, overwhelmed, and insignificant.

Stress Less Emotions include feeling: serene, hopeful, trusting, patient, accepting, loving, secure, significant, calm, peaceful, connected, compassionate, joyful, loved, merciful, curious, forgiving, allowing, optimistic, courageous, understanding, adequate, blissful, supported, energized, inspired, appreciative, open, and centered.

If you want to stop the cycle of stress and illness, your objective will be to consciously reach more and more for the Stress less emotions throughout your day. A first step in doing so involves becoming more aware of your daily emotions. Most of us are not aware of the emotions that fill our days until one emotion screams loudly and relentlessly enough for us to pay attention to it.

Our society tends to give more attention and approval to thought vs. emotion. We are well versed in sweeping stress based emotions under the carpet as best we can so we can get back to our thoughts and our day.

I’m inviting you to put an end to the "sweeping of emotions" so you can learn how to transform them. Whatever stress based emotions you attempt to sweep under the carpet are still going to remain. It might help you to remind yourself that the only true negative emotions are the ones we suppress or repress, aka sweep under the carpet!

Sweeping stress based emotions under the carpet is like saying in the midst of a house fire, "I’ll call the fire department tomorrow." But in the meantime your house will be burning down much like your emotions will be causing physical havoc in your body when you deny them the opportunity to be addressed and transformed.

Give yourself permission to transform your stress based emotions into stress less emotions and you’ll be playing a whole new ball game that breaks the cycle of stress and illness.

Tips For Transforming Stress Based Emotions Into Stress Less Emotions:

1) When you recognize yourself experiencing a stress based emotion put a name to it. What specifically are you feeling?

2) Ask yourself, "What stress less emotion would I like to transform this feeling into? And then name that feeling as well.

3) Next, ask yourself, "What resources do I have or opportunities can I create in allowing myself to experience this stress less emotion I wish to experience?

A Stress Less Example: If you got into your car this morning only to find out that it didn’t start, and you were going to be late for your first client, you might feel the stress that comes with frustration. When you ask yourself what emotion you would like to transform your frustration into you say Peace.

From there you might use your inner resources such as taking a deep breath to begin your path towards peace. Maybe you would call a buddy on your cell phone and ask for a lift to work. Perhaps you would look for the Peace in the situation—how wonderful it is that your car broke down right in your own driveway instead of out on the highway. How blessed you are to have a cell phone so you can reschedule your client meeting. The point here is: if you want to transform frustration into peace you must choose peaceful thoughts, behaviors and actions that can lead you there.

Experience Less Stress And More Peace:

I invite you to check in with yourself every hour and ask, "What emotion am I experiencing in this moment?" Write it down. If the emotion you identify is a stress less emotion, feel free to go on with your day and applaud yourself for having created that emotion. Acknowledge yourself for entertaining a stress less emotion that steers clear of the stress and illness cycle.

If your emotion is stressful, take a moment and envision the stress less emotion you would like to transform it into. And then simply practice choosing thoughts, actions and behaviors that support the stress less emotion you choose. Give it a try! You might just become a master at transforming stressful emotions and enjoy the good health and sense of well-being that comes from it.

Health and Wellness Coach Diana Bertoldo supports people challenged by stress and illness in playing a bigger role in their health and well-being. Visit Diana and learn more about creating a life beyond Stress and illness today.