Stress is a killer.  I believe we all know this.  Ungoverned it has the power to wreck almost anything and some would argue that anxiety is a epidemic today.  I, personally, don’t know anyone who’s immune.  On the other hand, I truly believe there are ways to find respite but it requires work.  This is where I’ve been a fair bit this last week…stressed out, pulling it together, finding peace and losing my place again.

I redid last weeks workout.  I was stopped by my coach and the judge in the middle of the workout due to a tear in my skin that was bleeding.  It was enough blood that it was dripping and running down my hand, impeding my ability to grab the pull-up bar without slipping around.  It was the smart thing to do.  This did a number on me mentally.  I felt like a quitter and a failure.  I felt like my body was defective and broken.  Damn my baby soft skin!!  I got over it.

This is week three of five and it’s the midway point of the open.

I continue to notice how I can end up in a pretty good mind fuck and also how to work my way out and back to what it’s really all about.  At my current capacity I have less energy to give to other things in my life that I used to have more to give to; my significant relationship, entertainment, specific ventures around business and other things.  This is natural and although I’ve planned ahead for this logistically, mentally and emotionally I continue to see the effects precipitate.  The reality is that I’m constantly in motion to create and manage harmony in my life.

When working with my clients I often ask them to compare themselves with a particular year, make and model of a car.  I ask them how that vehicle performs, how should it properly be maintained and what can be expected in terms of it’s best use.  It’s fun to consider and it puts things into perspective.

The tools I’m using to manage my stress are systematic pauses throughout my day to stop everything and breath deeply for a few minutes.  I do this at least five time a day.  I concentrate and do nothing but breathe.  It’s works.  I also spend time showing my body love by caring for it with various methods like chiropractic, massage, infrared sauna, cold tub/hot tub intervals, electro stim, and others.  These things, equally provide the physical releif as well as alleviate the mental costs of what’s happening in me.  I know I have to care for and manage all my systems.

Competition is fun and exciting.  I’ve been able to remember that.  Maybe it isn’t the right mindset but I think I enjoy competing much more than winning.  Don’t get me wrong I want to win.  My sister used to say something that will be forever imprinted on me,”I play for fun and losing isn’t fun.”  My sister is great, she’s the best one I’ve ever had.

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