You know … you’re a real jerk. An utter nincompoop. A dullard. An ignoramus. A cretin. A half-witted imbecile. A narcissistic, infantile, solipsistic blockhead.
Of course, you all know I'm kidding and don't actually believe that! I just read this article in Commune's weekly newsletter and wanted to share it with you. Just as dirt is an important element in building the human immune system, this article talks about how insults are beneficial for building stress resiliency. It falls into the category I personally like to call 'Practical Polyvagal.' Which, in less nerdy terms, means practical skills in building stress resiliency. Gone are the days a black-and-white, on-or-off, sympathetic-or-parasympathetic theory of stress activities in the body. Polyvagal Theory has shown us a more complex arrangement of our nervous system, and one in which we may play a far greater role than we previously believed! We now recognize that the manner in which we perceive stress has a direct impact on the effects of that stress. If you believe the stress is crippling and bad for you, then that's how it will play out in your nervous system, your hormones, and the autonomic responses in your body. If you believe your stress is a good thing, providing you the challenges needed to obtain greatness and growth, you help to balance your sympathetic (fight or flight) energy by bringing your parasympathetic system (rest and digest) back online to run simultaneously with your stress response.
The result??? PLAY!
Yes! Playing, dancing, and doing sports would all be examples of moments in our day when we are activating both the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems together. This combination brings us into our most productive and efficient state of flow, a state of calm, aware, activity.
Studies have shown that the impact of stress on our body and our mental wellbeing has less to do with the environmental stressor outside, and more to do with the story we tell ourselves inside about that stressor or situation. People who learn to affect these systems through their thoughts and breath build resiliency in their nervous system and become mentally and emotionally stronger for it. Resiliency is the new focus of stress management and this article below gives a great view on practical ways to build your own personal resiliency.
I know that Jim and I are definitely going to use this guy's practical road rage solution, it sounds like a lot of fun and a good laugh! I can't wait for someone to honk and cut me off today!
I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
https://www.onecommune.com/blog/commusings-eat-dirt-jeff-krasno
