Lesson Seven

Befriendingthe Difficult

React!

Respond

Stress

In what situations do you feel ?stress

What happens to YOU when you get stressed?

In your body?î

In your mind?î

In your actions?î

Blood flow to muscles increases. They become

tense and ready for action

Heart beats faster increasing blood pressure and preparing

us for peak exertion

We may want to urinate or empty our bowels. This makes us lighter so that

we can run faster

Digestion stops. Blood is diverted from the gut to the

arms and legs

We breathe more rapidly, oxygenating the blood ready to fight or flee

Hormones released that make the blood ‘stickier’ so

we will lose less blood if injured

We start to sweat profusely, cooling us for exertion and making it less easy to ‘grab’

us!

Senses and perception sharpen. Time may appear

to slow down

What stress does to the body

Headaches, feelings of despair, lack of energy, sadness, nervousness, anger, irritability, increased or decreased eating, trouble concentrating, memory problems, trouble sleeping, mental health problems (such as panic attacks, anxiety disorders and depression)

Brain and Nerves

Acne and other skin problemsSkin

Muscle aches and tension (especially in the neck, shoulders and back), increased risk of reduced bone density

Muscles and joints

Faster heartbeat, rise in blood pressure, increased risk of high cholesterol and heart attack

Heart

Long term effects of stress…

Nausea, stomach pain, heartburn, weight gain

Stomach

Increased risk of diabetes

Pancreas

Diarrhoea, constipation, digestive problems

Intestines

For women – irregular and more painful periods, reduced sexual desire.For men – impotence, lower sperm production, reduced sexual desire.

Reproductive System

Lowered ability to fight and recover from illness

Immune System

Long term effects of stress…

Draw your stress signature

I don’t have a saber-toothed

tiger …but

Turn towards the feelings of stress

Allow the feelings

Breathe with the feelings

In other words…

The shockball stands for all the difficult experiences of our lives…

or

REACT

Respond

…and the choice:

The Guest House, by Rumi

your more difficult guests

Home Practice – The Practice Promise

7-11

FOFBOC

10 secs

1 min

2 mins

5 mins

9 mins

9 mins

15 mins