Craniosacral therapy and stress

STRESS accounts for 35 percent of all work related complaints, the Health and Safety Executive has found but my sense is this is just the tip of the iceberg...

Stress is unavoidable in today's busy world (sadly) but the good news is that our bodies are designed to manage a certain amount of stimulation.  However, I am seeing more and more clients who are overwhelmed and thus unable to cope with life's demands.  Extended periods of stress can start to produce symptoms which have an impact on our day to day life and ultimately may lead to serious illness.

According to the International Stress Management Association symptoms of stress include the inability to concentrate or make simple decisions, memory lapses, negative thinking and being easily distracted, worrying, mood swings, irritability and defensiveness.  I'd add being tired all the time, feeling run down or out of sorts - basically being out of touch with your feelings.  Any or all of these can be signs of stress (or you might be like me and get heart palpitations, a sure sign!).

The good news is that craniosacral therapy (CST) is a natural way of helping our bodies to rest and recover. I describe it as being resourced:

resource
noun
1. a stock or supply of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively.
2. an action or strategy which may be adopted in adverse circumstances.
verb
1. provide with resources.

The best analogy is to think of our well-being as a bank account, with stress being a withdrawal of funds.  Over time, with daily stress, our account can go overdrawn, putting a strain on all aspects of our system.  We are literally in the red, running on empty, trying to exist and survive as best as possible.  Usually, our sympathetic nervous system is running the ship of 'flight or fight' and not giving enough space for the parasympathetic nervous system to 'rest and digest'.  I find many clients have huge amounts of tension in their diaphragms (the transitional spaces of the body), thus restricting the flow of the breath of life throughout.  

One of two sessions of craniosacral therapy allows our well-being bank account to have new funds.  It allows the client to draw on funds in order to function effectively in the stressful adverse circumstances.  CST literally provides the client with resources and many go away feeling more at ease with themselves, balanced and connected with a renewed interest in life.

If you are suffering from stress, I urge you to try a craniosacral session and give your well-being bank account a much deserved top up.