Happiness is our birthright and unhappiness begins with a choice. The mind sees a problem and unconsciously we choose to strain and struggle against this problem. In the process of our inner struggle, we push our straining triggers to the optimum. These triggers are anger, fear and sadness and they are the ones completely responsible for whatever is going on inside of us.
The moment the mind registers that we have a problem it is like having planted a seed and all our straining and struggling makes the seed sprout and grow. We start to wallow in stressful emotions. Letting go of it is turns the problem into a mild thing. Letting go in this case becomes the answer to our problem.
Liberty to chose
This is the main ingredient in our struggle to de-stress. We need special help to master this practice. We have the liberty to choose as much or as little. Some people need lots of practice. We might want to practice a lot but are unable to do it due to time constraints. In this case we can do the following methods:
- Take a few minutes in the shower
- Practice techniques while commuting
- Practice while doing household chores
Take a breather
Once the awareness has set in that we are stressed and need to let go of it we need to constantly:
- Check our stress levels
- Take a few deep breaths and let tension evaporate
- Let go during low concentration tasks, repetitive work
- Watching TV is a great way of doing it
Word association
You can teach your mind to associate certain words and images with relaxation. Affirmations such as “I relax easily and deeply when I choose.” The more you associate a phrase with relaxing the more it will work for you
Take time off
- Treat yourself to a leisurely day to unwind once a week
- Switch off from all your burdens on Saturday and Sunday
Fantasy practice
Go to a quiet room and close your eyes. Visualise the problem, feel the surmounting tension, release the pressure. If you practice this often you will be very calm when you actually face the situation.
Systematic approach
Having various techniques at hand to follow is great but it is important to have it in a system. Randomly used techniques can start creating their own kind of stress.
- Focus on tension
- Prepare to let go
- Release the tension
You need to concentrate on these three ways in order to lead a stress free life. You must see that they flow well in their sequence. Important is to release stress. If you can find an easier way to do it just go ahead with it otherwise you can follow the easy pattern I have mentioned earlier.
Avoid the pitfalls
- Don’t try too hard. In our eagerness to get rid of our stress quickly we tend to try too hard sometimes.
You need to carry on doing your practice at a relaxed pace. Don’t stress too hard there.
Don’t push yourself to relax. You need to remind yourself that you need small easily attainable goals initially.
- Once you master the practice you can move on further to more complex ways.
- We must give deliberate reminders to accelerate our practice to progress.
REFERENCE:
Apr 18, 2016.Learning to let go.The Tribune.retrieved from
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/life-style/gyan-zone/learning-to-let-go/223673.html
