Factors to Consider for Effective Stress Management:

Natural-Highs / Eustress

Natural-High (Eustress) is the condition wherein a person feels positive or pleasing emotions caused by external situations changing the brain's chemistry by triggering the release of the body's endorphins, serotonin, and/or norepinephrine. Since Natural-Highs are due to the effects of these body's "natural-drugs," typically, its effects on our mind and emotions are only short-term wearing off as the level of endorphins and/or/etc. in our body eventually drops. One good example is a "stolen-kiss" we all experienced during our "puppy-love years." The event causes a tingling sensation, an awesome, pleasing feeling that nevertheless diminishes (though sometimes the feeling lasts much longer after the event is over). You can actually feel the natural-high wearing off just as when you feel your smile fading. The explanation is that Natural-Highs that elicit the feel-good chemicals are created by sharp experiences such as those having the element of surprise, awe, or un-anticipation. As our mind and body become used to the situation, the effect of the experience diminishes. However, Natural-Highs could be prolonged by repeating/successive eliciting event-stimulus, by re-creating the same kind of experience, also, by recall.

Sleep and Stress

When we feel tired or problematic, we often tell ourselves that we need to rest or need a break; however when we are too tired or "stressed," we usually have difficulty sleeping or relaxing. That is because stress also comes in the form of worry, which induces our helpless mind to do something, anything immediately; hence creating weariness and/or troubled sleep. This is Stress-Induced Insomnia. For instance, when a class is stressful (involving arduous activities, recitation, etc.), normally you would feel tired but not sleepy (as opposed to a boring class). Even when you go home afterwards you would not be able to fall asleep immediately, no matter how tired you've been. Also, most often, when you fall asleep afterwards you would find your sleep to be easily disturbed, say - by the sudden bark of your dog ("shallow sleep"), which is difficult to resume. Another problem is feeling not too well rested or that your sleep is inadequate, at times even having the thinking-feeling you had a nightmare. Usually there is a need to do a relaxing activity first before going bed in order to be conditioned for a peaceful rest.

States of Consciousness (SoC)

Our body experiences different "States-of-Consciousness." More often than not, we crave enhancing our "normal" or ordinary/average "wakeful" SoC for better-feeling ones - we try to induce an "altered" SoC. Pleasurable feelings similarly are induced during "combination sleep and wakefulness" SoC and the like are the common goal of our state altercation. We can do this by time-distortion (e.g. unrelentingly watching TV or playing computer-games the whole weekend), ineffability (winning a prestigious contest or unexpected award), present-centeredness (being engrossed in a favorite sport or a wonderful conversation), perceptual distortions (turning on and dancing to a loud rock/dance music), and self-transcendence (e.g. running through an open field). The key is that all of these feel so much different and satisfying than the normal SoC. It was induced by a great deal of voluntariness or acceptance and interestedness; also, a free/open mind. And no, you do not necessarily comprehend the experience. You just went with it, because of its agreeable/desirable feeling. It sort of felt like going with a smooth and suave flow, and then - a breathtaking kind of a hang-over feeling.

Meditation

According to the Buddhist principle, Meditation could align the mind's thinking into a relaxed, calm, and comfortable, contented state, and that is it especially beneficial to deflect depression, frustration, fatigue, and helplessness. It helps us become conscious, comprehend and control our mind into producing positive thoughts leading to a peaceful and happy well-being. Yet how? At first, I was skeptical. First, I only understood Meditation as regular breathing and relaxation technique; and then I learned more that it could direct anyone, to "nirvana," a permanent state of peace and happiness - by performing "Transforming Meditations." Though I do not exactly know how it works, I know that personally I felt at one time or another - the feeling of a de-cluttered mind after meditation or usually by just taking a time-out, relax and smile, or a stop-and-stand-back position from troubles, eventually allowing me to deal with difficulties (relationship problems especially) in a refreshed crystal-clear perspective. Meditation claims that we can acquire and make use of this approach towards a natural attitude for Happiness. Mastering "contemplation" andfocus on good virtues - including "loving-kindness" or care and concern for other people's happiness, their feeling during a situation, is a great one way to make us happy ourselves. This explains why helping or simply being in good terms with other people could feel rewarding and satisfying.

Happiness

All the above factors then are perfect de-stressors, and leading to Happiness. It makes anyone be possibly happy even though suffering social problems that affect happiness like poverty, poor health, war, famine, corruption, crime, unemployment, etc. Happiness is still very much possible - and possible to attain a higher sustained level. This is because external factors could be balanced-out by our inner mindfulness. Good feelings could be gained through positive activities [as the ones suggested above]; But more importantly, "bodily pleasures, higher pleasure, and gratifications" could be maintained (and in the first place initiated/inspired) - by developing a mental/spiritual virtue - a positive outlook, appreciation, and a sound meaning over almost all kinds of things and experiences. The "Good Life," "American Dream," "Transforming Meditation" - it all takes us to create positive directions, eventually leading to - Happiness.

~Ae Dechavez

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