A to Z of Martial Arts Methods for Stress Management – Part 2
By Master Farshad Azad, Chief Master Instructor, 7th Degree Black Belt
O Overwhelmed? We often make things much more difficult and stressful than they really are. We all need to develop strategies to prevent our thoughts and feelings from overloading our minds and emotions. Avoid becoming overwhelmed by being aware of your limitations and priorities.
P Physical health and fitness. Nothing is as valuable as your overall physical health, which, in turn, supports your mental health. Exercise regularly. Get enough rest. Eat a balanced, nutritious diet. Reduce caffeine and sugar. Reduce alcohol intake and stay away from drugs. A disciplined exercise program, even for an expert martial artist, is a must.
Q Qi-Gong! This art teaches us about the power of air and breath in overcoming stressful situations. The power of breathing works hand in hand with your mental balance and clarity. If you control the breathing system of your body, you are bound to gain a better grip over your mental and emotional states. Most martial arts systems have some system of breathing and mental focus. You will think more clearly when calmed by deep abdominal breathing as taught in Qi-Gong. Practice Qi-Gong and deep breathing daily to reduce stress and revitalize your body at its cellular level.
R Response vs. Reaction! Responding to a challenge is always more effective than reacting to a stressful situation. When we respond, we come from a deep, thoughtful and often logical place. In contrast, when we react to a stressful situation we usually come from an emotional state, which may or may not be conducive to resolving that stressful scenario effectively. Emotion and logic are like oil and water: they don’t mix well. So, to get the best results when dealing with a stressful situation, always take a moment to reflect on your options.
S Spirituality! Spiritual awareness is another key element in reducing stress. Deeper levels of spiritual consciousness allow us to develop a wider worldview, and to view and assess our problems in a much larger context in terms of our relationship with the universe. We are a small part of this world. Our spirituality reminds us to be humble and thankful for what we have. When we picture our challenges in perspective, assess how they relate to the world around us, and discover our humble place in this world, then the challenges reduce their impact on our psyche and emotional state.
T Tenacity! Being tenacious is a great way to overcome stressful situations. Just as water can moves huge boulders for miles and miles, we can overcome difficulties if we are tenacious and consistent. Drop by drop water overcomes the weight and hardness of sharp boulders. Not panicking when faced with stressful situations is very important. Then following our resolve tenaciously yet patiently guarantees our long-term victory.
… to be concluded in the next issue.
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This entry was posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:12 pm and is filed under Martial Arts related. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
