Stress, Depression and Anxiety

The health of the mind is closely connected to the health of the body. This mind-body concept is not new. Stress, depression and anxiety have been recognised as causes of diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine for a few thousand years. Negative emotions adversely affect the Qi (life force) flow of the body causing stagnation in various organ systems leading to pain and malfunction. Statistics have stated that over 85% of illnesses are associated with stress. The common causes are traumatic experience, hormonal imbalance, genetics, physical illnesses, and ageing. While acupuncture and Chinese medicine may be able to improve relaxation and Yin Yang balance, it is vital to also incorporate relaxation and refocusing techniques. Here are some suggestions.

Be Still

Get into the habit of spending 15 minutes a day being still. You may call it “cultivation”, “quiet time”, “back to the centre”, or “back to basecamp”. Find a quiet place and turn the phone silent and upside down so you can’t see the notifications. If you can’t find a quiet place, then go for a walk. It is a time to cultivate inner peace regardless what is happening on the outside. Inner peace is gold in today’s super busy lifestyles and technological bombardment of information. Both your mind and your body need rest. You can do this first thing in the morning or while you have a break during the day or after a stressful event. For people of faith, this is a time to connect with God, where you find divine peace and strength.

Try doing these:

• Deep breathing
• Meditation
• Prayer
• Read words of wisdom
• Qigong exercise (Cultivation of Qi – life force)

Here is a simple Qigong exercise that helps you relax and refocus. It can be done in a few minutes. Stand up straight. Bend your elbows and knees as you breathe in. Straighten them up as you breath out. Focus on the area just below your belly button. In Chinese martial art terms, it is called Dan Tian. It is near where you would call ‘the core’. Imagine air going in and out of Dan Tian as you breathe in and out. Do this for several minutes a day when you feel stressed.

Connect with Others

Meet up with family and friends. Take the dog for a walk. Play games with your kids. Learn a musical instrument with a family member. Swim with your mother every week. Go for a bush walk with your friends. Celebrate your anniversary with your partner once a month. You get the idea. People are made for each other. Build a community around you.

Acts of Generosity

Help out someone in need regularly. Buy food for a sick friend. Send a loving emoji to your teenage children. Check out the elderly widow next door to see if she is doing ok. Invite people over for an afternoon tea. Run a marathon for a charity. Buy a hot meal for a homeless person. We are here for a reason bigger than ourselves.

Positive Attitudes

“Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Proverbs16:24.

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.” – Martin Luther King Junior.

Kindness, forgiveness, gentleness, thankfulness, endurance, hope, patience, repentance are all powerful healing agents of the body and soul for yourself and for the people around you.

Be thankful for three things every morning. Tell people how much they mean to you. Keep a gratitude journal.

Positive Input

How do you feel when you are around people who always complain about everything, from weather, to kids, to in-laws? Nothing keeps them happy for long. In order to be a positive influence yourself, you need to be regularly around positive and thankful people.

Here are links to some positive input you can access from your phone:

• Jonathan Doyle is a motivational speaker who sends out encouraging daily podcast.
• Rick Warren, one of the world top 15 most influential people, encourages people with his Daily Hope messages.
• Uplifting songs, such as You Say that tells of the transforming power of knowing your identity and Who You Say I Am that tells of the freedom from knowing that you are a child of God.

Seek Professional Help

Talk to someone. Seek help early. You are not alone. There is a lot of help out there such as doctors, natural therapists, Beyond Blue, Black Dog Institute, Mission Australia.