Breaking the Stress Cycle
While some days are worse than others, most people experience some form of stress every day. Stress has been called the silent killer, or the killer without a face because studies have revealed that up to 90% of all health problems and diseases are due to stress. This modern plague has an impact not only on our health but also our productivity and relationships. The counter to stress is relaxation. However in a world wired towards constant movement, to relax is harder than one would assume.
“We work hard, push deadlines and without realising it, we are pushing our physical and mental boundaries at the same time.”
Tabea Boye started the Lighthouse Lifestyle Wellness Centre, to teach people different relaxation techniques and offer various relaxation treatments. See the 99FM MYD Heart article with Tabea Boye, Lighting the Way out of the Storm.
When asked why it is that in today’s day and age we struggle so with relaxation, Tabea explains, “We no longer listen to our body’s needs. We work hard, push deadlines and without realising it, we are pushing our physical and mental boundaries at the same time. We are trying to be effective by optimising our productivity. Bigger, better, faster. A headache is seen as a nuisance, a cold is simply ignored. We expect our bodies to function.”
“By trying to numb one feeling, we are numbing all feelings, because they always come in a package. It’s a vicious cycle.”
Tabea explains that while we are goal orientated, we often think that once we’ve achieved our goals, we’ll be happy and this means we forget to live in the moment. “Life is happening, yet we tend to chase only specific moments; the moments of success. In addition we are either trapped in our past or we are pre-occupied worrying about the future, yet it is only the present moment where we are able to create memories, where we are able to create a better future. If we are constantly missing these moments, if we are not present, we are actually lost in time. That’s why we feel empty. We are on a quest to seek fulfillment, as a result we work even harder to reach our goals faster. That’s when we tend to use the wrong coping mechanisms to relax, like alcohol, nicotine, drugs or we turn to overeating just to name a few. We want to numb our fears, insecurities and all the other unpleasant feelings, because we think they hinder us reaching our goals. By trying to numb one feeling, we are numbing all feelings, because they always come in a package. It’s a vicious cycle.”
Tabea has made it her mission to break the cycle through assisting people in finding the tools they need to bring about genuine balance and relaxation. “That’s why I focus on relaxation therapy and on awareness coaching. Awareness is the foundation of change. Awareness is power. Once you are aware, you have the power of choice. The unique combination of awareness coaching and relaxation therapy allows me to empower people with the necessary knowledge and the tools to become aware, to effect change and to stay on track.”
“If you don’t invest in the vessel that is housing your future, your body, all other investments will be meaningless.”
Tabea notes that prioritizing your own relaxation is a tool that empowers your life and the lives of those around you. “Very often we feel bad when we are attending to our own needs instead of working on our to do lists. We have this tendency to look for fulfillment outside ourselves and not on the inside. We expect our so-called better halves to complete us, to make us happy, but that’s not even remotely possible. Empowering yourself means to take good care of yourself, to engage with yourself in a positive way, to honor your body and your health, to manage your time.” Says Tabea
“We cannot separate our mind from our body. Our mind is a very powerful tool. We are what we eat, but we also are what we think. While your body is nourished by food, your mind is nourished by thoughts. Thoughts trigger certain emotions; emotions trigger certain actions. It’s all connected. Relaxation and awareness are the answers to create a balance. The various relaxation techniques I am teaching will allow you to incorporate relaxation in your every day life. If you don’t invest in the vessel that is housing your future, your body, all other investments will be meaningless.”
For more information send an email to info@shine-a-light-lifestyle.com or call +264 812619600