People deal with stress in different ways, and research would suggest that genders do too. As reported in the American Psychological Association, women were more likely than men to report having a higher levels of stress (8, 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale), but also more likely to de-stress through communication.
One reason why men seem to be less communicative might have something to do with societal pressure. Men are often told to “man up” and “get over it” and this could cause them to internalize stress, which could ultimately lead to a deterioration in their health.
If high levels of stress are left unchecked for either gender, this could result in weight related problems, tense posture, illness and, you guessed it, even more stress.
Summer is the perfect time to break this cycle. Work is winding down and we have more time to learn new skills and to challenge our traditional exercise routine. Simply add on 7 simple exercises to stress-proof, loose weight and reconnect with life.
Step out of your Comfort Zone: It’s the Best Way to Grow
My name is Anne Cousin and I specialize in teaching exercises which are designed to encourage our body and mind to return to a state of balance; putting a stop to this seemingly never ending cycle of stress. Called Tension Release Exercises or TRE®, it works by activating a natural reflex mechanism of shaking or vibrating that releases muscular tension and calms down the nervous system.
The reflexive muscular vibrations generally feel pleasant and soothing, and after doing TRE®, many people report feelings of peace and well-being. This is what, for me, makes TRE® so special. It is not only great practiced by itself or in addition to any workout routine, but it is a self-empowering tool.
In fact, many of my clients experience TRE® as a form of dynamic meditation. After doing TRE for only 15 minutes three times each week, people report achieving greater clarity of mind, increased self-awareness and feeling more resilient and alive.
How was the ‘Relaxation Response’ Discovered?
Whether a tiger (or boss!) is attacking you, your bodies react. Known as the “fight or flight response”, it is your body’s primitive, automatic, inborn response that prepares the body to “fight” or “flee” from a real or perceived attack, harm or threat to our survival. Trauma and behavioural specialists studied how people react after such a ‘threat’ was over, fascinated to see how our body naturally deals with stress. In particular, David Berceli (creator of Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises TRE®) focused on the involuntary quivering reaction that all of us would be familiar with at some time or another in our lives. You yourself might have experienced this for example during or after an intense workout. He discovered that this natural shaking or vibrating response appears to be the body’s own autonomic built-in system for releasing muscular tension and quieting down the brain. In essence, it appears to be a way of self-healing. Following this logic, if we could trigger the body’s tremoring reflex (otherwise known as the neurogenic tremor), then we would allow our body to ‘shake off’ this unused tension. This is how TRE® technique emerged.
Release the Stress & Kick Bad Habits
Now, let’s revisit those stressful moments of life such as an impending work deadline. If, like most people, you are under constant (positive and negative) pressure it is hard to fully release the stress. Left to its own devices, stress could begin to manifest itself in various forms:
• Tense posture (think of the body memory effects of constantly sitting over a computer, phone texting…) • Weight fluctuation • Cravings for eating or smoking • Digestive and sleeping problems • Moodiness • Low energy • Less mental focus
Reclaim your Natural Self
Life’s too short to ignore our mind, body and energy. Why not be curious and use the extra time this summer to take back control of your life and reclaim your more natural self?
Personally, there’s no better place to start than by implementing TRE® (Tension, Stress & Trauma Release Exercise). After you have learnt 7 gentle, yet powerful, exercises you can ‘re-learn’ how to listen to your own body’s needs, allowing the intelligence of this reflex to work its magic. Practiced properly, you can effectively stress-proof yourself by using TRE® regularly or as and when you feel you need the extra boost. What’s more you do not have to mentally concentrate on the moves! As TRE® taps into the unconscious part of your brain it means that you can actually watch TV or listen to music and allow the reflex to do all the work. Ultimately, the body physiology is designed to self-regulate and so knows what it needs in order to ‘reset’ your body’s natural balance. Like some of my clients, you might even find yourself dropping some extra pounds along the way. Learn how to do those simple moves now and you have a de-stress self-empowering tool for life.
The best way to predict the future is to create it. So what are you waiting for?
Contact us for an appointment with our TRE® practitioner
Please note TRE® is not suitable if pregnant or had any kind of abdominal surgery in past 3 months. If currently receiving treatment for any physical/psychological/psychiatric condition Balance Health strongly recommends that you seek medical and professional advice before practicing TRE® and booking several sessions with our Somatics and TRE® trained specialist, Anne Cousin, prior to implementing TRE®on your own.
They’re like thoughts we’ve accepted as true, but they hold us back from reaching our full potential. Imagine these beliefs as invisible walls blocking our path to pursuing our dreams and positive changes.
In the tapestry of existence, one thread holds a special place: the quest for purpose. What ignites the fire within us, propelling our journey through the myriad moments and challenges life presents, is the clarity of our life’s purpose.
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shaking or vibrating that releases muscular tension and calms down the nervous system.
