How to Release Chronic Stress So You Can Relax in an Uncertain World

As highly sensitive people, we often find ourselves dealing with chronic stress and tension. The kind that tightens your chest, twists your gut, and gives you that pounding headache.

Life can feel like a rollercoaster🎢, right? 

I'm Kate Lynch, a therapeutic yoga teacher, and I totally get it. I live in Brooklyn with my neurodiverse family, so I'm no stranger to life's wild ride. We actually go to Coney Island 🎢 all the time, but I find everyday life exciting enough, so I keep my feet firmly on the ground.

I want to let you in on seven secrets I have discovered that help me tame my tension triggers. These are quick fixes that can seamlessly integrate into your busy dayas a highly sensitive person. Weaving just one of these seven secrets into your daily routine can help you navigate feelings of anxiety, allowing you to let go and feel joy. 

But first, let me share a heartfelt testimonial from my student, Emily G:

“Kate's approach is soothing, while still getting right to the work. She’s very knowledgeable, and has a way of teaching acceptance with gentleness, curiosity, and compassion.”

This is the kind of experience I strive to provide for all my students, and it's tied to feeling safe. I've helped thousands of people find more peace, focus, and relaxation.

The Connection Between Pain, Safety, and Anxiety

Dr. Paul Ingraham, a well-known figure in the field of pain science, has said:

“Pain is, at a very fundamental level, all about your brain’s assessment of safety: unsafe things hurt. If your brain thinks you’re safe, pain goes down."

This is a crucial understanding when dealing with feelings of anxiety and fear. When our brains think we're unsafe, it triggers a chain reaction in our bodies. Our jaw clenches. Our shoulders rise to our ears. That knot in your stomach? Yep, it tightens.

All this stress can lead to chronic pain, digestive issues, and sheer exhaustion. No wonder, with CDC statistics showing that 30% of Americans deal with anxiety disorders and 20.4% experience chronic pain. 😓  And to add insult to injury, the CDC says "chronic pain is more prevalent among adults living in poverty."

Living with anxiety can be a challenge. Our bodies tense up, leading to chronic pain, digestive issues, and exhaustion. These 7 secrets can help you feel safer.

While these practices won't fix systemic oppression, they can help us feel more present, energetic, and courageous. But please remember, if you're genuinely unsafe, mindfulness is not a substitute for seeking help!

7 Secrets to Feeling Safe

You might have dabbled in mindfulness before with mixed results, or perhaps you've given box breathing a go, yet that underlying sense of unease persists. These seven practices may well be the game-changers you're looking for:

1. Yawn It Out: Go on, give your body a full-body yawn. It's a simple yet effective way to release tension and bring in relaxation.

2. Posture Matters: How you carry yourself makes a difference. Take up space, appear relaxed, and let others come to you. Get ready to conquer those unsafe moments!

3. Gratitude: Shift your focus from worry to appreciation. Ask yourself, "WHO am I grateful for?" This practice can be a potent tool for fostering a sense of safety.

4. Movement and Breath: Crossing your body's midline can enhance balance and well-being. Try the Breath of Joy with friends for a boost in both energy and connection. 

5. The Power of Touch: Unrolling your ears can be surprisingly calming. A gentle touch has the ability to anchor you and cultivate feelings of safety. 

6. Visualization: Immerse yourself in thoughts of places WHERE you feel safe, held, beloved, and cherished. Visualizing these spaces can help nurture that feeling of safety. 

7. Community: For our Compassion Club members, community was the top answer when it came to what makes them feel safe. Sometimes, knowing you're not alone is all it takes. 

Choose one practice that resonates with you and stick with it. 

If it helps you to have support, you'll find it in The Compassion Club! Remember, you're not alone, and there are accessible ways to navigate those feelings of anxiety.

FAQs and Pitfalls

Does it really count if the practice is so quick?
Yes! Everything counts..No practice is too small – it's all about building a ritual that becomes as natural as breathing. It needs to be short and simple. Don't bite off more than you can chew.

What if I forget a day?
The most common issue I see, other than biting off more than you can chew, is using daily practice as a recipe for self-criticism. Give yourself grace! Just start again, and again...

If you have more questions, feel free to reach out in the comments or send me a message.

Now, it's time for a little treat...

Delve into a gentle yoga practice designed to release your stress and transform your perspective on life's struggles:

Stop Walking On Eggshells!

You CAN relax with uncertainty and embrace the joys of being a highly sensitive person. Get your yoga gift here.

Thanks for joining me on this journey towards a safer, more relaxed, joyful, and fearless you!

Living with anxiety can be quite a challenge, especially when our highly sensitive minds assess a situation as unsafe. This reaction often makes our bodies tense up, leading to chronic pain, digestive issues, and an overwhelming sense of exhaustion. But now you know, there are ways to help our sensitive nervous systems feel safe and relaxed. In this article, I've shared 7 secrets to feeling safe that fit seamlessly into a busy lifestyle and are accessible for us to incorporate into our daily lives. Just pick one, and repeat it daily.

Remember, if you're in a genuinely unsafe situation, don't hesitate to seek help. These practices won't erase the challenges of the world, but they can provide us with the presence, energy, and courage needed to navigate life's ups and downs. 

Weaving just one of these seven secrets into your daily routine can significantly reduce the feelings of anxiety that often accompany highly sensitive people on life's journey.