Processing Stress Responses

Stress responses are separate from the stressor- they (automatic stress responses) tend to activate and react with the same general patterns learned for navigating survival during developmental years, to protect from a perceived "threat." 

However helpful, to have an automatic response with the goal of protecting you, the first and most automatic inclination is usually not the best mode of operation in response to whatever unique thing or situation currently represents the "threat." It may very well be a threat, which requires you to move intelligently and protectively, but you can use your consciousness to delineate how that is, and how to bring balance into your experience, aligned with your goals.

Try processing this way:

- Notice how stress shows up in your system (body, thoughts, emotions)

- Reflect on what triggered the stress response

- Observe what your body and mind want to do in response to the stressor

Now, let's bring some processing action in:

"Yes, I recognize this is an automatic mobilization in response to perceived threat."

"Yes, I deem it generally appropriate to be here, and the need to activate in some way is intelligent and valid...it makes sesnse why it's here."

So now, what is the most fortuitous path forward I can build? 

- Is it holding onto the triggered feelings as a mechanism to continually activate, so I don't rest or forget to protect myself?

- Or, can I validate those feelings and then choose not to hold them when they come up because, although valid, not being consumed by them is more helpful for me?

- How then do I functionally respond to said threat?

Assess threat nature and intensity

Assess what has helped and what hasn't

Assess your ideal outcomes, and if they feel plausible

Assess the need for radical acceptance (release) and boundaries (safety)

Design a plan for responding consciously to this type of "threat" that aligns with your values and goals while honoring your needs. This builds safety and freedom within you, which builds confidence, wellness, and expansion in navigating your life...moving toward increased freedom and joy without needing control of outcomes or factors outside of your control = Security.