When Meditation Isn't The Answer
I am one of those not chill people. I often find myself flooded with emotions. These are often positive emotions, and often less positive ones, but I feel a lot. What happens to me when I am overwhelmed with a not so positive emotion such an anxiety, fear, stress, anger or disappointment, is that my body starts to feel like it is being hacked by adrenaline, sweat, pulsing, heat. I am charged up inside, and feel like it needs to come out in some way. It’s called stress. This is an actual biological thing. Phew. My body is in fight or flight, and my cortisol is rising.
I realized that I needed to DO something in these moments of stress in order to get through them well, from a slightly higher place and not this instinctual, reactive state. While instinct and gut feeling is helpful to have, and I’m very thankful for mine being strong and on point when I need it, I also need to recognize when I need a little hand getting through these times.
So, when I started meditating, I thought meditation might be the answer for me in those flooded feeling times.
Have you ever tried to go from feeling like you might explode to sitting calmly in one place and trying to free your mind of thought? Its like going from 100 to 0 in one second.
I’d sit there, in my very very angry or very very sad, triggered state and I’d try to concentrate on my breath, which felt like it was going a million miles an hour. I’d try to rid my mind of thoughts that were racing through me, and I’d try to let feelings- which were in every cell of my body- just pass through me.
Not happening.
I learned that in these times, meditation is not the answer. In fight of flight, your body is reacting to a perceived threat- therefor the surge in adrenalin. It is called "fight or flight” because it is designed to help you in times of true danger- as in like, a tiger is chasing you- and you need to run away! Your body releases adrenalin because it is giving you the tools to RUN and use physical exertion to save yourself.
So there is no wonder that this is not the time to sit and calmly meditate. In fact since your body is actually setting you up biologically to MOVE, this is what you should do!
I get it- you’re thinking, I have no time to go for a run in the middle of trying to get out the door for work. However, as little as 3-5 minutes will do the trick. The next time you feel this flooding overtake you and you want to lash out in a way that doesn’t serve you, go in your bedroom and shut the door and try:
30 vigorous cat and cow OR
10 chatarunga to down dogs OR
100 jumping jacks OR
2 rounds of 10 push ups and 10 mountain climber
By moving your body and breaking a sweat, you will release adrenaline, increase endorphins, and settle your nervous system. You will have a place for all of this flooding to go.If you have time to actually get on your sneakers and go for a run, great. If not- this quick movement method will help you reagin balance.
I pretty much guarantee that after you have moved your body vigorously for 3-5 minutes, your nervous system will have settled immensely, and you will be able to choose a reaction which serves you and others, and not react in an unhelpful way or let the stress follow you throughout your day.
Look for more blogs dedicated to more long term stress relief coming soon!
xoxoxo katia
Hello! I’m Katia…
I’m a certified, Integrated Health Coach, mother of four and personal trainer. I specialize in helping women and families find more connected, healthier & happier ways to live in this hectic modern world through personalized, down-to-earth, sustainable, environmentally conscious programs designed specifically for you. I offer tools, strategy and knowledge to realize the full nutritious power of foods, become less stressed, and feel stronger both inside and out. You will learn to successfully habit shift while given accountability, support and information to form a healthier lifestyle that serves you, others and the world. Programs range in length starting at 4 months. Contact me!