When I was 15, a psychic told me something that would echo through my life: stress killed me in a past life. Whether or not you believe in past lives, stress has always lingered around me like a shadow, profoundly affecting me on a physical, mental, and emotional level. For years, I felt consumed by its weight—until the day I found yoga.
Yoga, mindfulness, and stress reduction techniques have been gateways to change these karmic stress patterns. Even if the idea of past lives doesn't resonate with you, many of us carry intergenerational trauma or heightened sensitivity to stress. Some of us feel it more than others. I remember a holistic doctor once telling me that stress was a significant trigger for my anxiety and that I should limit it as much as possible.
However, I’ve learned that it’s essential to recognise that stress is not always harmful. There’s a form of stress known as “eustress”—a positive kind of stress that can benefit health, motivation, performance, and emotional well-being. Eustress arises during exciting life events, like getting a promotion, trying something new, or pursuing meaningful goals, when feel-good chemicals like endorphins are released. But when stress is chronic or when our nervous system isn’t regulated, it can become overwhelming.
The last two years have tested my nervous system regulation techniques. Studying full-time at university while balancing other responsibilities has made it clear that managing stress is non-negotiable. This doesn’t mean I’m always perfectly regulated—far from it. I’m susceptible to sensory stimulation like bright lights, prolonged sitting, and the energy of people around me. These challenges often trigger feelings of overstimulation, but I’ve developed strategies that help me regain balance.
The Techniques That Help Me Regulate Stress
Here are some of the tools I use to keep stress in check:
Humming and Singing in the Car: Engaging the vagus nerve through vocalization helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation.
Restorative Yoga Using a Chair: Simple, supportive postures allow my body to relax while staying grounded.
Climbing Stairs: I use breaks to climb ten flights of stairs, which helps release built-up tension and gets my blood flowing.
Eating Nutritious Meals: Regular, hearty meals with nutrient-rich foods like protein and healthy fats help stabilise my mood and energy levels.
Magnesium Pools: Magnesium is known to relax muscles and calm the nervous system, so soaking in contrasting cold and hot magnesium pools has been a soothing practice for me.
While these strategies have kept me well, I’ve noticed something interesting: even after the external stressors (like exams and deadlines) have passed, the effects of stress still linger. It can take time for the body, mind and spirit to “catch up” and fully return to calm.
The Importance of Nervous System Regulation
This is why nervous system regulation is critical—not just to manage stress at the moment but to help our body, mind, and spirit return to a harmonious state. When we can regulate our nervous system, we align ourselves on all levels, allowing creativity and flow to return.
Once we’re embodied in our being, with our nervous system, emotions, and mind in balance, we can experience the full spectrum of life with less reactivity and more resilience. Healing is not an instant process; it’s a journey, and for me, it has been about breaking the karmic pattern of stress that has followed me, perhaps even across lifetimes. Whether you view it spiritually, psychologically, or energetically, healing stress requires consistent attention to the mind-body connection and our nervous system’s health.
Final Thoughts
As I continue this journey of healing, I’m learning that stress doesn’t have to dominate my life. Through nervous system regulation and mindful practices, I’m gradually breaking free from old patterns, finding balance, and restoring a sense of peace within myself. This process isn’t just for me—it’s for everyone. By learning to heal from stress, we not only help ourselves but also break the cycle for future generations.
Call to Action: Have you noticed how stress lingers in your body after the stressor is gone? What techniques help you manage and heal from stress? I’d love to hear your thoughts—please share your experiences in the comments below.
Comments