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Is Stress Killing You? Here Are 5 Tips For Finding Stillness (And Overcoming Anxiety)

Sardinia, Italy, is a place where time seems to stand still. The residents of this Blue Zone region are renowned for living long, healthy, happy and relatively stress-free lives. They have a saying, (which has since been popularized in the Julia Roberts movie, Eat, Pray, Love) that seems to capture their relaxed approach to life. The inhabitants of this unhurried island speak of “dolce far niente,” which means “the sweetness of doing nothing.”

Why it’s so hard to find peace of mind

That sentiment seems a far cry from the pace of life most people are subjected to these days. Most of us live demanding lives with endless to-do lists and little downtime. Travel writer Pico Iyer, author of The Art of Stillness, captures our modern dilemma well when he writes:

“We’ve lost our Sundays, our weekends, and our nights off – our holy days, as some would have it; our bosses, our email, our parents can find us wherever we are, at any time of day or night. More and more of us feel like emergency-room physicians, permanently on call, required to heal ourselves but unable to find the prescription for all the clutter on our desk.”

Incessant demands have a way of undermining our peace of mind. Unfortunately, most people in our culture experience severe stress on a regular basis. This chronic pressure and strain can take a huge physical toll.

In fact, stress is frequently described as a “silent killer.” Its reputation is well deserved since it is leading factor in no less than six of the top ten causes of premature death including cardiovascular disease, accidents, diabetes, cancer, obesity and suicide.

Why stress is a silent killer

Stress wreaks havoc on the body because the body’s “fight or flight” response floods the bloodstream with hormones called cortisol and adrenaline. These chemical secretions help the body respond to immediate threats by providing a sudden burst of energy. But in doing so, other vital systems (like immunity, digestion and repair mechanisms) are shut down. Worse still, the continuous presence of cortisol and adrenaline in the bloodstream damages blood vessels, promotes inflammation and depletes the adrenal system.

Anxiety Quiz: 42-second quiz reveals your instant score =>

Here are several ways that chronic stress undermines your well-being:

Tips for finding stillness (and busting stress)

Stress management is a health imperative. But how can you find peace of mind and stillness when your environment is so chaotic and filled with all-consuming demands? One place to start is to take a lesson from Blue Zone residents.

More specifically, there’s nothing wrong with downtime. Life is not a race, it’s a mystery to be savored. Take the time to walk in the sand on the beach, enjoy a beautiful sunset with your significant other or listen to the birds singing in the morning. It’s not just okay to carve out an hour or two every day to set the hustle and bustle aside — it’s downright healthy!

Here are some other evidence-based ways of de-stressing and finding peace of mind:

Serenity and peace-of-mind can seem elusive, but there are places in the world where people have not forgotten how to relax. Dan Buettner, who has studied extensively the lifestyle habits of Blue Zone residents, believes that certain ingredients seem to be key when it comes to finding the tranquility that is the foundation of deep happiness and well-being.  

In summarizing these factors, Buettner explains that “Diet does tend to be the entrance ramp for better health.” Likewise, having rich networks of social support and getting plenty of mindful physical activity are things that nourish the body, mind and soul. It is when we are embedded in environments that provide such sustenance that we flourish.

Can you relate to feeling stressed? If you’re feeling overwhelmed and would like some further insights about finding stillness you can check out Pico’s Iyer’s amazing TED Talk video here:

— Scott O’Reilly

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