Can You Let Go Using These Stress Management Techniques?

Monday, March 30th, 2009 at 6:38 pm

Can you let go using these stress management techniques?

Some time ago there was a loud knock on my front door. It was an angry neighbour complaining that I had parked in his space (even though that space was on a public street which he did not own). I calmly agreed to move my car and then asked him the question:

Why are you so angry?

This made him even more angry! The more I refused accept the conflict he wanted, the angrier he became until he threatened to hit me. As he was a Karate expert I decided to gracefully back away!

My neighbours anger was causing him considerable stress. What he needed was to learn the stress management tips in order to let go of his anger..

The stress management techniques are:

Write down your feelings. Direct your anger and frustration to paper instead of to other people.
Learn how to meditate. Meditation takes your thoughts away from the incessant internal chatting and focuses them onto something more peaceful like a candle flame, a gentle sound or your breathing.
If you are unable to let go of negative feelings go to a cognitive behaviour therapist who will show you strategies that work.
Get a sense of proportion. Is it really appropriate to get angry over a parking space, or someone else’s bad driving?
Develop mindfulness – the process of observing your own thoughts and feelings as if you are a detached observer
Take a brisk walk

Here is an exercise that you can use to let go:

Sit down with your legs extended and cross your feet, so your outside ankle is touching the inside ankle of your other foot.
Sitting up straight, cross your right wrist over your left so you make a V shape with your hands. Now, bend both hands down until your fingers on each hand touch – let your fingers mesh between each other and clasp your hands together.
Now pivot your interlocked hands toward your body and bring both arms closer to your chest until your still-interlocked hands touch your chest just under your chin.
Next, focus your mind on exactly what it was that frustrated you, aggrevated you, caused fear or sadness and lock your mind into exactly that feeling.
Keep this up for 3-4 minutes, your mind should eventually go blank.

More stress relief tips can be found in my book “How to Manage Stress”