Stress As Strength - Stress Mindset Shift NSDR

We tend to think of stress as something debilitating, something to avoid at all costs. But what if stress can be a source of strength,
helping us rise to meet our challenges?

This calming 20-minute NSDR is inspired by the science podcast from Dr. Andrew Huberman, for whose work I am deeply grateful for.

NSDR is a form of yoga nidra - a guided effortless meditation that enables your whole body and nervous system to deeply relax, compensate for the lost sleep, and boost your brain power.

Even if you're new to NSDR, this 20-minute guided meditation is easy to follow. Simply allow yourself to drift into a deep state of relaxation as you learn or get reminded of the importance of our mindset towards stress and how we can utilize stress instead of trying to eliminate it.

I'd like to hear your reflections if you decide to explore this mindset.

I hope you'll enjoy it.

Grateful for lovely music by Liborio Conti and Elevated State of Being

Transcript

Welcome to your 20-minute non-sleep deep rest session or NSDR. A simple but powerful practice that can boost hormone, Help improve sleep and assist with anxiety and stress relief. And in our yoga practice, We often focus on releasing stress. But today, I invite you to consider a different approach. Let's explore the possibility of befriending it. So later on, I'll share more about this surprising science-based insight from Dr. Andrew Huberman's podcast. And for now, Let us prepare your cozy nest. Go ahead and find a comfortable position, Either sitting or lying down, Resting your arms sideways, Let your feet fall to the side and take your time making sure that you're comfortable, Warm and safe. And when you're ready, Slowly close your eyes and draw in the breath deep into your belly. Slowly release through the mouth. Inhale into your belly. Slowly exhale out. Inhale and now hold the breath for three, Two and exhale slowly. And we'll repeat that two more times. Exhale as you sense every muscle, Every part of your body is relaxing. To this, I'll start our body scan. Just let your attention release into the surface it is resting on, Into the surface it is resting on. And then, Can you sense your whole pelvic floor? What kind of sensations are there as it is resting on? Let your attention slowly grab your whole torso. And now, A phrase from Dr. Huberman's podcast with Dr. Alice. We tend to think of stress as something debilitating. Some distress can be a source of strength, Helping us rise to meet the challenges. Research shows that stress can sharpen our focus, Our ability to process information. It's a process of a physiological technique preparing us to handle obstacles. When faced with a challenge, A difficult exam, A health diagnosis, Do you see it as a threat or as an opportunity to grow? I have shown that viewing stressors as challenges rather than threats allows approach to befriending stress. First is to acknowledge it, Notice it. Second is to welcome it, Because stress is tied to something. Use this moment to reconnect with what truly matters to you. What is this stress trying to tell you? Third is to utilize the stress. Instead of spending time on conclusions, Stress will inevitably occur. But it's how we choose to respond that makes all of the difference. Rather than stressing about stress itself, You can recognize it as a tool that can help you achieve what truly matters to you. Let's take a deep breath through your nose and let this mindset settle within you. Non-sleep, Deep rest session. Wherever you are in this vast world, May your day be filled with joy, Sending you lots of love.