This week I wanted to write about the feelings of stress and how we often mistake them for something very negative, while with a little bit of training we could transform the energy of stress into efficiency and productivity.
But first, for those who do not know already, the DeRose Method is a unique approach to mindfulness, well-being, meditation and performance. It offers practical exercises to help you better manage your emotions, increase your focus and reduce stress. It is composed of Techniques and Concepts that together teach you to get the most out of your life.
Stress is a natural part of life, but with the demands of modern day life, it’s become a daily companion for many of us. Whether it’s from work, family, relationships — or the overwhelming amount of information and stimulation we are exposed to — stress can make us feel overwhelmed and drained.
But what if I told you that the energy of stress can actually be transformed into something positive? Something that can boost our productivity, efficiency and help us lead a happier life. This is what I learned to do when I was working in different corporate jobs, and later, what I would teach my students to do in London, New York and now in Amsterdam!
You see, stress is a by-product of our mind and body’s response to perceived pressure. When we feel stressed, our bodies produce adrenaline, a hormone that helps us respond to emergencies. This adrenaline rush can actually be a good thing if it’s used in the right way. Unfortunately, in our day-to-day lives, the adrenaline cycle is often triggered by everyday events when we are under stress. Over time, this process leads to chronic stress and burnout.
When you practice the DeRose Method you will learn techniques, practical things you can do, to break this cycle, to maintain your awareness, your focus and ride through stress, transforming it into productivity. Stress stops being a pain and it becomes a motivator. The Technics of the DeRose Method offer a tool to better manage our emotions and increase our focus. Coupled with the changes in mindset from the Concepts, the DeRose Method helps us turn stress into a tool for success.
With the DeRose Method, you’ll learn how to identify the earliest sparks of stress, so you can manage it from early on, making it much easier to deal with. You’ll learn Techniques to focus your mind, to avoid distractions which makes you more productive. This can only reduce the stress you feel, allowing you to remain focused and energised, no matter what life throws your way.
This may sound a bit unbelievable. I think that I would have trouble believing that such would be possible.
Practical experience
So let me offer you a quick taste of a technique so you can feel for yourself, now, the effects. I will share with you a simple breathing technique and after a couple of minutes doing this technique you should be able to have a much better understanding.
First a few ground rules: try to breathe exclusively through your nostrils in this exercise. We are going to aim to capture as much air as possible with every breath, therefore, breathe as deeply as you can. In order to enhance your experience, I recommend that you sit down in a comfortable position, or that you try this exercise laying down with your back on the floor, your feet on the ground and your knees touching each other.
The abdomen is one of the first parts of the body to tense under stress. Therefore, in our exercise the first step is to expand your abdomen every time you inhale, and contract it when you exhale. The second step is to become conscious of each of the four stages in your breathing process: inhalation, maintaining the lungs full, exhalation and maintaining the lungs empty. The third step is to try to add a rhythm to this breathing, use the measure of 4 seconds and apply it to each of the four stages: inhale in 4 seconds, retain air in your lungs for 4 seconds, exhale in 4 seconds and stay with your lungs empty for 4 seconds. Remember to breathe exclusively with your nostrils and continue this technique for a couple of minutes.
When you finish try to observe your state of mind.
The next time you feel you may be starting to feel stressed try this experiment. in simple bullet points:
- Find a comfortable position;
- Breathe exclusively through your nostrils;
- Concentrate on experiencing each of the four stages in your breathing cycle: inhalation, maintaining the lung full, exhalation and maintaining the lungs empty;
- Try to execute each of these stages for 4 seconds;
- Maintain this technique for a couple of minutes, or longer if you feel comfortable.
- If you feel dizzy, stop.
So, if you’re looking for a way to take control of your stress and transform it into something positive, look no further than the DeRose Method. With a little bit of training, you can live a happier, more productive life, free from the grip of stress.