Kent Sport’s Strength and Conditioning Instructor, Chris Payne provides guidance on dealing with stress and anxiety
The heading to this blog is inspired by the type of quote as a fitness instructor I might say to end a holistic exercise class as a way of creating a sense of mindfulness for those attending. Although there is no scientific fact to such a statement, the principle of how we react to an event can substantially affect how we manage that event. For example, attending the gym regularly might be your form of mental and physical outlet and not being able to perform your normal routine could be causing you stress and anxiety.
The anxiety of not knowing when you can attend the gym next might cause you to stress about your current fitness levels thus leading to an imbalance in your general well-being. In this scenario not being able to attend the gym will be disruptive to your routine but your reaction to it will determine how it affects you. Instead, let us consider how we can react to our current “new normal” way of life thus helping ease anxiety and stress and preventing a visit from our black dogs (see previous blog).
My brain is the key that sets me free. – Harry Houdini
Take a piece of paper and draw a large circle, inside this circle draw another circle three quarters of the size. The larger circle represents anything that causes worry, stress, anxiety but you have no control over. The gym example would be written in this section – “cannot attend gym”. Inside the smaller circle is how you can overcome that issue. For example, “exercise at home” or “put together a healthy eating routine” or “learn yoga”. Although our normal gym routine has been affected there is an opportunity to eat healthier and learn new methods of keeping fit. It might not be your ideal routine but it is the best you can do currently. The aim here is to react differently and gain control over the situation. In the bigger circle continue to input anything that is out of your control but takes up a large negative percentage of your thinking, and use the smaller circle to overcome and gain control of these events.
In order to gain control of a situation escape artist Harry Houdini said that his brain was the key to setting him free. Although I do not recommend that we suspend ourselves upside down and escape from a straitjacket in order to gain a sense of mindfulness. There is a yoga pose that can utilize the many benefits of being upside down and help us gain a sense of general wellbeing.
Viparita Karan is the legs up wall pose. To perform this exercise simply lie on your back with your legs straight up against a wall and maintain this pose for a few minutes. The benefits of this position can have a calming effect on the nervous system which in turn can help lower stress and anxiety. Because the legs are raised above the heart it can improve blood flow and lower your resting heart rate leading to a comfortable state. If this position is uncomfortable or unattainable then try lying on your back with your knees bent feet raised on the couch, a similar effect will occur and is surprising comfortable after 5 minutes. Combined with our new way of reacting to events we will be escaping from the shackles of staying at home in no time.
Stay well.
Wellness Wednesday is part of Kent Sport’s #KentSportStayWellAtHome series of daily blogs and vlogs to keep you positive during these unusual times. To be sure not to miss our updates, Like us on Facebook and follow on Instagram and Twitter @UniKentSports – we hope you enjoy and join in!