Melt Away Stress - Literally

Show NotesIn this episode 9 of “Less Stress More Joy”, you’ll learn an amazingly simple and effective way to melt away stress in 60 seconds or less. Sound impossible? Stay tuned!Steve Carter here, CEO of Stress Solutions, LLC. and I’m your host for this podcast, “Less Stress More Joy”, 1-Minute Acts for Self-Care. In addition to hosting this, “Less Stress More Joy” podcast, I also host the, “Mind Over Stress” podcast. Episodes of both shows are available at www.MindOverStress.us.The two technique I’ll share in this episode are sooo… simple, but they work.There are a couple ways to apply “Stress Melting” so we’ll start with the most direct and fast acting version.Stress Melting Technique Number 1When you find yourself under heavy stress - and you gain a moment’s clarity of awareness of that stress - head to your refrigerator. If you have an automatic ice dispenser on the refrigerator door, get a glass or cup, engage the ice dispenser, and get two cubes of ice. If you have to open the freezer section, remove two ice cubes from one of the trays and put those two cubes in a glass or cup.Next, tune into your body and notice how strong your stress level is. Ask yourself in mind or - even better - out loud, “How stressed am I in this moment?”For simplicity, you can use what’s called the 0 to 10 SUDs scale, which is short for Subject Units of Distress. How stressed are you feeling? Zero is no stress and 10 is the maximum level of stress you can imagine. Where are you on that subject scale. Alternatively, you can assess your stress level as low, medium, or high.Allow yourself to take three comfortable breaths and say in mind or out loud, “I choose to release this stress”.Take the glass or cup holding the ice cubes and dumb two ice cubes into your free hand. Put down the glass or cup and transfer one of the two ice cubes into your free hand.Close your eyes and connect with the feeling in your hands. Simply notice the felt sense of cold. Feel the weight of the ice cubes and then again tune your attention to the felt sense of cold in your hands.Notice if both hands feel the same or does one hand feel different? Just notice.After about 30 seconds or less if your hands are too uncomfortable to continue, put whatever remains of the ice cubes back in the original container or place them in a sink.Dry your hands and rub them together slowly as if you’re applying hand cream.Allow three more comfortable breaths and again check in with your body and assess your stress level. You will likely find the stress level is at or near zero. You’’re now ready to return to your activities refreshed and relaxed.Stress Melting Technique Number 2Another way of melting stress away is to fill a glass with ice and pour in a favorite beverage. Sip slowly and keep your hands wrapped around the glass. As you sip, notice the felt sense of the beverage in your mouth, throat, and chest as you swallow. Allow your attention to move back and forth between drinking the beverage and the felt sense of cold from the glass as you hold it.Why Stress Melting WorksWhy do both of these techniques work? Because you’re tuning into mindful awareness of your physical sensations. You are literally changing your mind as the stress creating thoughts melt away.I suggest having a go with Stress Melting and sharing your results. Let me know your experience applying this simple technique by emailing me at [email protected] more stress dissolving techniques visit us www.MindOverStress.us.Until our next visit, this is your host Stephen Carter, CEO of Stress Solutions, LLC wishing you and your loved ones blessings in abundance.Key words: stress, calm, relax, relaxation, mindful, mindfulness, mindful awareness.