Shifting
By Jenifer Kirin
“One thing we know for sure doesn’t work: just telling yourself that everything is okay now. Completing the [stress] cycle isn’t an intellectual decision; it’s a physiological shift.”
― Emily Nagoski, Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
There seems to be a lot changing rapidly these days. It can be challenging to process it all. How are you doing? If you are finding that your stomach is in knots, it could be stress. The digestive and reproductive systems tend to experience operational difficulties when we feel stress. This is because the flight or fight response brings our energy away from these systems and into systems that would permit us to handle a stressful situation using self-defense or by running away. When we don’t have a chance to fight or flee, we can get stuck in a stress cycle that began but did not end. One of the best ways to shift out of a stress cycle is to engage in physical exercise. Make time to run, walk, bike, swim, cycle, row, engage in cardio kickboxing — do whatever gets you moving. If formal exercise isn’t your thing, that’s ok, you can still move your body. Movements such as taking the stairs, pacing when you are on a call, cleaning your house, and doing yard work, will all get your body in motion and aid you in completing a stress cycle.
More ways to shift out of a stress cycle will be shared at the one-day Stress Awareness and Management Retreat scheduled on July 10, 2025 and hosted by Jenifer Kirin of Synerjen Coaching.
For details and to register visit https://bonsecoursrcc.org/event/stress-awareness-and-management/