Do you, like me, get derailed by stress?
One thing I have not done well in my life is manage stress. Don’t get me wrong it is not for lack of trying, rather, I hadn’t found anything that truly worked for me when I was really stressed. Meditation is a common antidote to stress, but when I am stressed I don’t really get to the place that allows me to experience its benefit. One thing that has helped me, however, is having a serenity trigger.
Essentially, a serenity trigger (which could be a place, object, memory, et al) helps you change your response to stress by moving your thought(s) away from outer chaos to an inner calm. I imagine it would be akin to the calm some people might be able to reach through meditation.
My serenity trigger is a Sequoia grove. When I close my eyes and think of my favorite Sequoia grove I can literally start to smell the giant trees. I can breathe in the fresh air. I can imagine myself sitting against a giant Sequoia, as I lean my back into her trunk I can feel her energy. I feel warm, embraced, protected, cared for. These trees are my heaven on earth!
Any time I need a reminder of my heaven on earth I just turn my thoughts inward and go to the Sequoia grove. I cannot even tell you how beneficial this has been for me. While it does not always zap me free from stress, it can take the level of stress I am feeling down several notches. That is a huge benefit, especially for someone like me who is highly sensitive.
Funny thing is, nearly every time my mom (aka: extraordinarily gifted massage therapist) gives me a massage she leads me through a visualization to a place in nature where I feel connected, safe, comfortable and nourished. By doing so, my body relaxes and reaps greater rewards from the massage. Ironically, I never tried doing this outside of a massage until I learned about serenity triggers. Go figure.
An integral part of my healing journey has been acquiring the tools that actually work when I feel stressed, as I have poorly managed stress throughout my life.
Here are a few tools straight from my own healing toolbox that are most helpful when stress and or life is getting to me:
- Serenity Trigger
- Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
- Attentive, deep breathing
- Earthing
…or when all else fails, pop some bubble wrap!
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What tools do you use to manage stress?
the bubble wrap is hilarious, great suggestions otherwise, thx
A little chuckle is good for stress too. Actually, bubble wrap does work, I have some on my desk now for times of need. haha
I like the idea of a serenity trigger. Thanks for sharing this and the links.
You’re welcome, Jennifer. I hope you find them helpful!
I am on the same page with you. I have a daily meditation practice and yet when I’m stressed I can’t seem to get into the space needed to clear it through meditation. It works for many just not for me. Thank you for sharing your tools. I think they will help me to.
Meditation is amazing, but yeah these other tools are essential for getting my stress down. Meditation is a tool that works best for me as a daily practice to try to keep stress at bay, period, and to keep life feeling on the up and up. If or when hard core stress hits though, I turn to these tools. I hope they do help you!
So happy you like the serenity trigger
! Sequoia grove sounds incredible!
Thanks for planting the seed, Carolyn!
How did you know this is just what I needed? Heidi is out of town, Bri decided he hates to eat, Barker (our dog) is sick and it is hotter than you know what. I need stress management help. thx
Yikes, I hope ‘things’ have simmered down for you by now, Cool Dad.
Great post. Love your serenity trigger. I love those trees too. I usually go for a run when I am really stressed and run until I am not.
Wow, you run until you’re not stressed anymore, that’s great. Wish I could do that.
This is great! I love even the word – serenity trigger. That alone relaxes me. Thank you for sharing this idea and the great link too. <3
I love the words serenity trigger too!
A counsellor taught me some EFT tapping but I had completely forgotten about that until now. Once, when I was very stressed, I found just tapping brought my panic under control, though, so I would recommend that in any case.
I forget to use tools that work sometimes too. Human nature at work, I suppose. EFT is a great tool as it sounds like you have learned first hand!