Here, we give stress its simplest definition as we proceed to tackle the whole idea of one being 'present' within him or herself as a primary way of managing stress. In addition, we also deliver a bit on the main factors that expose or predispose us to stress.
Stress is basically the body’s instinctive response to undue external stimulation. In this case, stimulation can come from either of the five major senses that each one of us has through which we are able to naturally interact with our surroundings. These are sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell.
This should then enable you understand that stress only comes when you look at something you weren’t physically, psychosocially, spiritually or emotionally equipped to process; when you listen to equally-incapacitating sound (noise), when you smell hazardous gases (like sulfur dioxide), when you taste or consume poisonous substances or food that is too hot or too cold or finally; when you come into contact with harsh environmental conditions such as extreme heat or cold. Beyond these five gateways, I cannot really find any other access route for undue external stimulation to the average human being. On the other hand, stress can either be physiological (the "healthy" stress) or pathological (the "harmful" or "morbid" stress).
Any form of abuse in this case - physical, verbal, visual, etc - is also experienced through any of these gateways to one's mind (the eyes, ears, nose, skin and gastrointestinal lining) and it ends up causing psychological, social, emotional, spiritual or physical stress. Bad or horrific news can also cause any of these forms of stress - this is a critical matter to consider.
In this case, each one of has has been created with an internal circuitry (a logical mind, an emotional heart that houses the passions/desires which serve to direct our lives and a will that enables us to appropriately decide between reason and emotion) that will only comfortably process what is within its capacity to do so. In this way, you’ll find that a child won’t be able to thrive in the same social, physical or even mental environment that an adult would as their mind, heart and will are still tender. They surely won’t be able to consume meat within the first year of life since they just don’t have the teeth to do so! - This is a riddle.
Similarly, we as adults won’t be able to comfortably stride in each other’s shoes as each one of us has a unique personality that can only be stewarded by the specific individual. Based on the simple fact that we don’t have matching personalities; you’ll find that each one of us has an entirely different experience of life as the issues we get to face every single day are usually assigned specifically to us (only God can in His infinite mercies stride in each and every shoe as He helps us cope with stress). In this case, the best I can be able to do for you is just hold your hand as you come into terms with who you are or whom you were meant to be. I cannot determine who you were meant to be in the same way that you cannot determine what I was meant to be as only one can; His Name being God.
This then leads me back to the issue about stress management; whereby I’ll proceed to pose a simple question: If all stress comes from outside so that it ends up affecting the inner person within you, why is it so hard to just flick the switch so that we shut out all undue external stimulation which in turn translates into the inner person within finding his voice or peace again?
To try and respond to this, I’ll compare this scenario to that of anyone falling down from the sky: No matter how many parachutes this person holds on to; they’ll still be conscious of the fact that they’ll soon be hitting the ground; only with a safe landing. This just means that come sun, come rain; day or night; you and I will each get to the point in life when we have to address that one unaddressed issue within us that keeps on pulling us into the deep within. Parachutes in this case represent the distractions which we keep engaging ourselves with all while suffocating our mind, heart and will with insurmountable levels of stress.
On the other hand, the inner us always has an alternative way of handling the same issues that expose us to external stressors. He usually manifests as an inner voice or intuition who always has our best interests at heart. At this, the more we allow him to speak to us; the more we give him a voice. In this case, I can say that the things which this inner person is able to relate very well with are in fact the things which God has created and placed all-around us. These include the vast breath of life that is able to instantly give us a surreal state of inner calmness; naturally-grown food that only serves our best interests in terms of health; domestic animals that serve us in uniquely-fulfilling ways, day and night which set standard limits for work and rest, genuine interaction with like-minded human beings and finally; the original blueprint that brought all these into existence.
I mean; the spirit within me and you relates with God and creation in an undeniable way such that this interaction cannot be matched by any other form of interaction. It is based on these interactions that the spirit is able to gain his voice which again; always has our best interests at heart. It’s called the power of hindsight; not just foresight; which basically comprises of physical sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch.
Can you be able to perceive beyond the distractions of this wild world? I can then say that the primary way of stress relief lies with us being present within ourselves; not outside (if you understand) as the true solution to our human issues has already been deposited as a seed within us. This seed is our introspective human spirit; our inner voice or intuition.
Any way, in closing, the triggers or things that expose us to external stressors are basically loneliness (a lack of genuine connection with the people and surroundings; not just a lack of friendship) and any form of lack; even the lack of knowledge (as it is due to ignorance that many who are around us are living in untold suffering and unfathomable captivity - see how they say that education is the great equalizer?). I mean; even God says that we all perish due to the lack of knowledge; meaning that we aren’t able to sustain anything good in life - peace, happiness, faithfulness, self-control, patience, gratitude, humility, etc - whose ultimate ending is death all because we don’t have the knowledge that can enable us gain access to and sustain these good things. This question is then to you: How can we be able to fully deal with the issue of lack; primarily the lack of knowledge; and whom can we befriend that will be able to relieve us of all loneliness?
