Folks hear about how bad stress is for them all the time. In fact, with the amount of information available, the term “cortisol” is almost a household word. The fact that more people know that cortisol is a stress-response hormone than those who know how to give CPR when someone has a heart attack is a bit disturbing. However, Ishan Shivanand notes it’s also indicative of how widespread stress is these days, especially for those in some kind of supervisor or management role.
Normal stress is natural, temporary response to the body being put under pressure of some type, whether it’s a challenge, excitement, or a threat. However, once that moment is over, the stress goes away, and the body repairs itself. Chronic stress, on the other hand, doesn’t stop, and that, in turn, creates chronic health problems. While people can use medications and substances to offset the feeling of chronic stress, it does nothing to repair the body and mind. This is why yoga experts like Ishan Shivanand know that meditation becomes a better alternative.
Meditation provides a stressed-out person with multiple benefits. First, and probably the most important, it helps a person relax by calming the mind. Most of what generates chronic stress are worry and anxiety, both negative mental conditions that can become runaway freight trains. Second, when the body gets a chance to relax and calm itself, a series of internal repairs can begin. The body can’t fix itself running in 100 percent work mode. Finally, when people meditate, they get a chance to focus again, putting their attention on things that matter. Ishan Shivanand confirms consistent practice can create a realignment of purpose, as well as get a person back on track with where they want to be long-term versus the immediate deadline of tomorrow.
Unlike what Hollywood makes it out to be, which irritates Ishan Shivanand and his peers repeatedly, meditation does not take a doctorate degree to achieve or a 7-year sabbatical in a far east remote temple. Instead, simple meditation can be practiced and achieved within a short period by just understanding basic methodologies of breathing, position, and mental focus. After a few days, most people start to feel a genuine sense of relaxation again. After a few weeks, people tend to sleep deeper, have more energy, and they can think with a lot more clarity as well.
Ishan Shivanand points out that meditation won’t magically make management problems and difficulties disappear. However, it can do wonders for reversing the damage of chronic stress. It’s an ideal way to regain control of one’s daily life again versus the management rat race. It can help people generate the ability to see solutions again instead of being stuck in worry and anxiety. Folks just have to take the first step and try. Don’t worry, Ishan Shivanand encourages people; the water is shallow and comfortable to be in.