Qigong for Stress Relief and Well Being

 

It’s the beginning of a new school year and boy have things changed. Some of you will be doing hybrid teaching, others will be in the classroom. If we’re to survive in this new world of ours, we need to deal with stress, discomfort, anxiety, tension, depression, fear about getting ill, anger, as well as physical and emotional pain. We can help comfort each other and try to find the good in what we’re doing, but the fact is, it ain’t easy. With so much chaos and unpredictability happening all around us, it’s important to take our health into our own hands and do something so that we can better meet the mounting challenges in our daily lives.

Qigong is an ancient healthcare system designed to relieve pain, boost immunity and transform stress into vitality. Invented around 4,000 years ago, it’s still regarded,around the world, as one of the most powerful methods to prevent illness, heal disease, and prolong life.

So, how does Qigong work? You use simple, easy to follow, effortless movements to nourish the flow of “Qi” or “life-force energy” like a tingling sensation felt mostly in your hands and throughout your body. The movements are gentle, uplifting, and easy to-do. You might even say to yourself, this is too easy, nothing is happening, or I’m not burning calories. Keep practicing and you’ll soon realize that you’re wrong, as you’ll see physical improvements in your body and emotional feelings of well being in your mind.

According to Lee Holden, a master teacher of Qigong, “Imagine a warm, golden light washing through your entire body….Washing away pain, stress, tightness and tension, and replacing them with calm inner peace and deep relaxation. It’s almost like a “gentle moving meditation” that leaves you feeling calm and energized.  The more you practice, the more deeply you’ll connect with your own body….and activate the natural restorative and healing powers contained within you.”

• It’s important to become aware of when you feel stress, and try to figure out what triggers it. It can be difficult to to do, especially in the middle of your busy schedule when you’re multi-tasking, however, if you don’t give it some thought you’ll be powerless to do anything about it. Some ways to remind yourself of your stress is to write yourself a note on paper, a journal, or anyplace that is convenient.  This will help you remember to check in with yourself to see what’s going on with your body.
• When you realize that something doesn’t feel right, you can label it.  For instance, you might think, “I’m feeling anxious”, or “my stomach is queasy”. By labeling these emotions it allows you to create a separation between yourself and the event. This in turn helps you realize that what you’re experiencing is something that’s not a part of you and can be changed. This labeling is an effective way to let go of your stress and return to a state of harmony. But it takes practice and doesn’t happen over night.
• When you feel stress, take a break and do something physical, take your dog for a walk, play with your child, do yoga, Qigong or anything else that you enjoy. When you move it helps your nervous system return to a more balanced state. Try to stay in the present and work with your body’s energy flow rather than focusing on your thoughts.
• After movement, it’s important to take some slow, deep breaths. You should find a comfortable place; stand or sit in an upright manner and inhale through your nose and out your mouth. Put one hand on your abs and the other on your chest to feel your body expand and contract. Become aware of your breath, inhale to bring in nourishment, and while exhaling, visualize positive energy coming into your body and getting rid of stress.
• Once you begin to feel more in control, you’ll be better equipped to embrace life’s challenges with open arms, You’ll be more optimistic and ready to tackle anything that comes your way. No more focusing on the issues that caused you stress, you’ll be focusing on the solutions to make life better.

 

Here’s to your health!

Deann

To help make your distance learning a bit easier, I’ve created a few resources that you may be interested in. Click on the image below for my newest resource.

This post is part of August Teacher Talk.  Be sure to click the links below for more tips from our Educators…..