With the stress of the holiday season upon us, I recently read, with great interest, an article about the negative impact stress has on our internal balance or “homeostasis.” In short, the article written by Garret Yount for the 2010 Fall/Winter edition of the Noetic Post, states that our preconditioned mind-set (how we interpret and respond to situations) actually influences gene activity. Imagine! The way we think and react to situations can change the way in which our genes express themselves, literally influencing health and disease in a long-lasting way.
The good news is that while stress can negatively affect our health and increase the potential for disease, lowering stress levels can positively influence gene expression. In fact, studies have found that practices such as meditation, qigong, and other mind-body activities have a positive influence on lowering stress hormones and their receptors that can affect gene expression.
With this in mind, how do you rate your holiday stress level? Do you find yourself stressed out over gift shopping, meal planning, baking, party planning, home decorating, etc? The stress of creating the perfect holiday can be overwhelming as we strive to meet our conditioned mind-set about how the holidays should be. Sound familiar?
With much of the holiday season still ahead, I encourage you to reflect on your holiday expectations and mind-set. If your usual holiday traditions create stress, find ways to reduce it. Take a walk when you feel stress creeping in, schedule a Reiki session, start a meditation practice or, perhaps it’s time to shake things up by creating new, less stressful traditions. Your genes will thank you.
Peaceful and Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives. – William James
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