Recently a lot of people have been ill. some horrible bugs and colds doing the the rounds and the immune system being but under a lot of stress. So the last week or so I’ve pulled the Purestretch class right back. Taken out the majority of the strong core work (albeit you are still working your core) and replaced with more mindful, longer and deeper stretches.

We also worked on releasing the vagus nerve.

The nerve that is responsible for driving flight/fight or rest/digest.

Or sympathetic vs parasympathetic arousal of the nervous system.

You cannot be both at the same time. when we are constantly stressed our immune system can self combust and we get ill and stay ill. Trying to switch the response to rest and relax can go some way into helping the immune system recover.

Flight or fight is a response that is essential for animal survival = To escape from danger. Whilst we no longer have polar bears to contend with we do however face a bombardement of unnatural stressors each day for which we are unable to escape.

Most recently we’ve been unable to escape from this deluge of wet weather that started in November and hasn’t stopped. No daylight and less exercise = one less way to rid stress from our bodies.

24 hour rolling news. I rarely get up and watch the news now. I find the news “stories” (for that is what they are …a story, a yarn, a tale to tell)…too triggering….! Everyday we are filled with non-fact, supposition, exaggerations, falsities. You may believe the stories, you may think it’s all a load of bollocks,but either way your stress responses are triggered…..feelings of fear, frustration, dejection, helplessness, anger, worry, isolation…all from half an hour of watching the BBC news (drama).

Then you get into your car, you can’t escape from the hideous traffic, idiot drivers, the mad rush as you hit your eleventieth red traffic light. Can’t find a parking spot. It’s pissing it down with rain and you’ve forgotten your umbrella.

You sit at a desk or work in a job you don’t care about surrounded by people you at best tolerate, at worst loath.

Trickling stress with no escape.

Return home….more traffic lights, rush to get kids to clubs, feed them, feed yourself, tidy up, complete work related tasks…because let’s face it we have texts messaging and email and you boss wants you to “do this, that and the other” before you go to bed.

In all of this …did you get daylight, fresh air, movement, healthy food?

We cannot escape life but there are ways that you can reduce your levels of stress.

The news, soap operas, types of TV show cause you stress? Don’t watch them.

Take 15 to 30 outside every single day. Wrap up warm and dry and go outside and move. Breath in the fresh and clean air. Deoxygenate your body…even better walk through trees. Saturate yourself in oxygen. You do have time!!

Mindful breathing. Breath in for 4. Hold for 2. Out for 6/8

Simple way to switch your nervous system into relax.

Take 1-2 hours a week JUST FOR YOU. Join a club and make friends.

Anything….singing, crochet, dog agility, football…something you would like to do. £10-15 per week on yourself. You are worth it.

Eat fresh food. Drink more water. Good Food is powerfully restorative.

MOVEMENT. Exercise is essential to health. You nourish your entire body with movement. Movement reduces stress hormones. It produces endorphins “happy hormones”. The social aspect and the little wins also create the production of other happy hormones -serotonin and dopamine.

Quite often we don’t feel that we have the energy to move. When you do move however you create energy. It makes you feel more energised. Mind clearer, body functioning.

Exercise does not have to batter your body to be effective. You can stretch, dance, walk, jog, garden or golf. Just Move.

JOY IN MOVEMENT