Do you remember the last time you were so absorbed in a suspenseful movie or masterful novel that the rest of the world dropped away? For most of us, it’s even easier to get caught up in our own stories, interpretations, and emotions – becoming so identified with a mood that it completely colors our worldview.  

Consider this common scenario: You’re at work when your manager calls and asks to immediately see you in her office. Depending on your typical thought process, you may immediately begin to worry, “What did I do wrong? I wonder if my job is on the line . . . if I get fired, it could take a long time to find work in this economy.” Your dread builds and you really don't want to go see your manager.

Or (particularly if your predominant dosha is Pitta), you may find yourself getting angry, thinking, “After all the work I’ve put in, I’m not putting up with any criticism. This company is lucky to have me here.” You head towards your manager’s office feeling belligerent and ready to defend yourself.

The 10-Ton Thought
Whether you react in fear or in anger, the thoughts in your mind create stress in your body. Your heart beats faster, your blood pressure rises, your breath becomes shallow, your adrenalin surges, and you produce higher levels of cortisol. Your ancient fight-or-flight response is gearing up, but no woolly mammoths are roaming through the office ― “just” thoughts convincing you that your survival is at stake.

While your thoughts may seem wispy in comparison with a hungry, hairy predator, they clearly have immense power. Something happens that violates your sense of how things should be, and you perceive danger, whether real or imagined. Numerous studies show that chronic stress accelerates aging and makes you more likely to develop a serious illness, including heart disease, stomach ulcers, autoimmune diseases, cancer, insomnia, migraine headaches, panic attacks, anxiety, and depression.

Choices that Relieve Stress
Fortunately, there are many valuable practices that can help you go beyond the primal fight-or-flight response. You can learn to experience a restful response ― a mind-body state that is as natural as the stress response, but infinitely more peaceful and healing.

1. Connect to Your Body. While the mind is constantly flitting to thoughts of the future and memories of the past, the body lives in the only moment that truly exists: the present. One of the best ways to relieve stress is to go out of your mind and tune in to your body. Allow yourself to feel all your bodily sensations, including ones that your mind might label unpleasant, such as tightness in your jaw, churning in your stomach, or stiffness in your neck. Your body never doubts itself and it will guide you toward the most evolutionary choices. This guided meditation podcast by davidji will help you tune in to your body’s wisdom and release stress.

2. Meditate. Meditation gives you access to the inner silence and calm that lies beneath the mind’s noisy internal dialogue. Meditation allows you to experience profound relaxation that dissolves fatigue and long-standing stresses. Studies have found that a daily meditation practice can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, decrease anxiety and depression, and reverse the biological markers of aging.

Given the numerous healing benefits of meditation, the Chopra Center offers instruction in Primordial Sound Meditation at all of our programs and events. In addition, there are certified Primordial Sound Meditation teachers throughout the world. Click here to find one in your area

3. Understand Your Unique Stress Response. Your mind-body constitution (known as your dosha) plays a great role in how stress affects you. Here are the stress patterns of the three main doshas:

Ayurveda offers specific recommendations for each mind-body type, including the most effective ways to cope with stress. Take the dosha quiz here to identify your mind-body type and learn more healing techniques.

4. Practice Yoga. Yoga is another timeless healing practice for releasing stress and the damaging effects of the fight-or-flight response. Not only is yoga an excellent physical exercise that increases your flexibility and strength, but it also balances the mind and body, calming the nervous system, increasing the production of stress-relieving hormones, and releasing stored toxins.