Stress is something that many of us are all too familiar with. What is stress? Well it’s a mix of things I guess. In general it’s the term we give to feelings of anxiety and tension in our body. Where does it come from?

No mystery really, it comes from our response to the things we are afraid of in life. Yep. It’s our old reptilian brain that triggers our automatic fight/flight/freeze response when we think we’re in some kind of danger. Of course these days danger looks more like ‘crap I’m not going to make it to school pick up on time’; ‘shit, I have see that person that I wish I could avoid’; ‘how in the hell will I pay this unexpected bill?’. Etc.

When ever we’re afraid or worried (a nice word for low level fear) we trigger a stress response in our bodies.  Heaps of adrenaline courses through our systems and we’re on high alert.

The problem arises when there’s too much stress in our bodies, too much of the time. We were designed for the occasional fight/flight/freeze emergency, not to live in a never ending panic.

Too much of the stress response can lead to all sorts of health issues and in general just feels terrible.

So what to do??? How to deal with stress? Good news is there are HEAPS of ways. Not the least of which is JOURANL WRITING! You guessed it, the simple act of putting pen to paper and expressing all the stressful thoughts, feelings, experiences and situations that have you feeling frazzled can be liberating!

When I find myself in a tither, feeling sick in my stomach with stress and not knowing what to do next or how to cope with the challenges I’m faced with. My journal is the first place I turn. I write everything that’s on my mind, especially that which I’m most afraid of.

This is really IMPORTANT! Often we avoid thinking about what we’re most afraid of. We think if we just don’t think about it. If we can just keep it pushed to the side long enough it will go away on its own or at least it won’t be able to get us. Sadly that’s not how it works, if we fear it, it is within us and it keeps affecting us on some level until will do something to change it.

If we don’t bravely ask, what it is that we’re afraid of? What it is that we’re truly stressed about? Then we rob ourselves of the opportunity to have the power to change it. As good old Dr Phil reminds us, ‘we can’t change what we don’t acknowledge’.

When we bring our fears that are triggering our stress into the light of our awareness we have the chance to see the fears for what they are. When we first write them down and look at them, we might just feel afraid. They are our fears after all. Being afraid is OK though. It just means that there’s something you don’t know. Maybe something you don’t know how to do? Or something you don’t know how to fix. Or someone or something you don’t know how to deal with? It’s just something outside your current comfort zone, that’s all.

Fear’s useful really, it’s meant to keep you safe. That’s why we have it. It was never meant to control or limit your life though and that is exactly what can happen if you never take the time to write down or otherwise honestly examine what it is that really triggers your stress.

So start with just writing it down, all of it, what ever comes up for you when you ask yourself

What is it that I’m really afraid of?

What is it that’s really giving me stress?

I always find it is a relief to express it in the first place. After getting my fears and stresses all out on paper I usually find a few things shift.

Like, I’m either able to change the way I’m looking at things to something that feels a little less stressful. Or I can see some small manageable things I can do to change what’s not working for me so I’m able to unwind a little more. Small things that make a world of difference.

Next time you’re feeling Stressed and you feel like you just might break if something doesn’t give. Take out your journal and a pen and give yourself the chance to vent. You’ll be amazed at the insights your stress has to share.

Love, Peace and Joy to you, Soli xxxxxx