Q: I am a 40-year-old married man with two daughters. I know I am a type A. I work in a corporate setting and I need some strategies to calm down physiologically and psychologically. My wife tells me I’m going to die of a heart attack if I don’t do something to lower my stress.
A: Finding some ways to reduce your stress and find some inner peace is a very important step in the healing journey and it’s never too late to begin. Stress can kill. While I don’t know you, I have worked with many clients your age, sex and their lives were in the corporate sector. The first thing that I would recommend is to rule out any physical conditions by getting a thorough physical and blood work up.
Your corporation may have such a program where you can get this done. If not, please make a time to get a work up so you will know your levels and where you stand physically. We do know that stress can suppress your immune system and cause severe physical and emotional consequences. When you can begin to learn more about the types of stress, acute and chronic and the ramifications of it, you can begin to understand how to make positive changes to your own life.
The other recommendation I have is that if you are not doing this now, please begin a program to enhance relaxation techniques and a meditation practice. You can learn these simple yet powerful exercisesthat can completely change your way of being. Check into local fitness centers and explore the various classes and if your work setting has a wellness center, by all means, start scheduling time to take classes, perhaps yoga, which has become increasingly popular with men. Yoga is an extension of meditation and can be a wonderful healing practice to help eliminate your stress.
Next, examine your nutritional life and ask yourself how you are doing with your daily intake of healthy food and drink. Diet is everything when it comes to your optimal health and well-being.
While this may seem overwhelming initially, take it one step at a time and remember the ultimate goal is for you to feel that you are living a balanced life filled with joy and love.