3 TIPS TO BANISH DISTRESS
There are several very easy things to do when we feel lousy, scared, anxious or otherwise disturbed which can change our situation dramatically. It almost doesn't matter why distress has entered your life. Any of these 3 suggestions will transform your experience.
Simple solutions to complex problems.
We experience all sorts of complex problems in our life, some of which are really daunting to deal with. Deep understanding of underlying issues helps a lot but often we can address the physical symptoms more easily, directly and effectively. This article features 3 easy ways to help ourselves when we feel distressed for any reason. Any one of the 3 works well to reduce tension. Us them all and times of distress transform into times of wonderful growth.
Our health is developed from different aspects of ourselves. So whether we get the flu or not depends on a number of factors: whether we had a flu shot, whether we eat well, whether we get a good night's sleep, whether we are in the middle of an emotional crisis, whether we have good health insurance and whether or not the people we are around are sick with the flu among other factors. We can approach healing from different points of view too. If we are in the midst of an arthritis flair-up for instance, we can take a pain reliever like Tylenol, we can do the exercise class to decrease joint discomfort, we can increase non-inflammatory foods in our diet and decrease inflammatory ones and finally we can consult our doctor for even more help.
We can do one or any number of those things and more. For instance, we can drink a glass of water even if we are not thirsty. I guarantee that will help almost anything that might be bothering you.
We can also think of dealing with personal crises from different points of view: we can embark on a possibly long and costly psychological analysis of our underlying distress and we can also try more immediate remedies. Oftentimes when we consistently invoke those short term techniques, our longer term problems go away or at the very least moderate. These quicker solutions are the subject of this article.
We can do one or any number of those things and more. For instance, we can drink a glass of water even if we are not thirsty. I guarantee that will help almost anything that might be bothering you.
We can also think of dealing with personal crises from different points of view: we can embark on a possibly long and costly psychological analysis of our underlying distress and we can also try more immediate remedies. Oftentimes when we consistently invoke those short term techniques, our longer term problems go away or at the very least moderate. These quicker solutions are the subject of this article.
Distress is rampant.
There is plenty of distress to go around. Whether it is regarding the future of our country or ourselves. Aging itself is a daunting process with many potential pitfalls that can change the quality of our life in our older years. For those younger, finding education and employment has become very stressful. Change is happening at a gallop politically and worry can become a frequent guest in our head. Modern life has the potential to fill us with tension, anxiety or fear.
3 great things to do when you are upset, scared, anxious or disturbed: (These things also improve our balance in a fundamental way.)
Whenever in distress, try any or all of these 3 approaches:
Breathe: Improving how we breathe is the most effective stress reduction technique available to us. There are a number of breathing exercises which reduce tension almost immediately. The 4/7/8 breath that Dr. Andrew Weil recommends is excellent. Breathe in for a count of 4, hold for 7 and exhale for 8. Four of those breaths in a row will completely change your demeanor and bring much needed insight into whatever is bothering you. This is a great thing to do when you are in a suddenly fearful situation.
Stretch the muscles that tension has tightened: We all react to stress differently. Notice how your body feels. Where are muscles tense? Stretch the tight muscles, wherever they are. For many of us, that means stretching the neck/shoulder area. Ultimately we are changing a shoulders slumped forward posture into a head back, spine straight posture.
Lower your center of gravity: When we are stressed or frightened or nervous, our center of gravity raises up into the chest area. At the same time, we narrow our foot stance. Each makes us less stable and more prone to falling. Deliberately lowering our center of gravity balances us physically. We can do this in a number of ways including:
Stretch the muscles that tension has tightened: We all react to stress differently. Notice how your body feels. Where are muscles tense? Stretch the tight muscles, wherever they are. For many of us, that means stretching the neck/shoulder area. Ultimately we are changing a shoulders slumped forward posture into a head back, spine straight posture.
- Neck: Change the position of the head by sliding it back while tucking the chin, lengthening the back of the neck.
- Shoulders: Bring the shoulders back and down.
- Chest: Lift the front of the chest to deepen breathing.
Lower your center of gravity: When we are stressed or frightened or nervous, our center of gravity raises up into the chest area. At the same time, we narrow our foot stance. Each makes us less stable and more prone to falling. Deliberately lowering our center of gravity balances us physically. We can do this in a number of ways including:
- Do abdominals: This automatically drops your center of gravity.
- Ground yourself: Feel your feet on the earth. Do foot exercises to bring your energy down to the lowest part of your physique.
- Stand with your feet apart, knees slightly bent: This is the most stable standing position. Simply take one foot and step out to the side. Stand with your knees slightly bent, weight equally distributed to both feet.
- Do not lock your knees: Keep your knee joints soft and slightly bent. Relaxing your knees is key to lowering your center of gravity. Stiff knees contributes greatly to increased fall risk.
Published October 13, 2025.