Why Going Back to Basics Releases Stress and Restores Flow

I was given some great advice about this a long time ago. I don’t remember who said it. But it stuck with me and has stood through the test of time for myself and my students. It was this; when I get stuck or find myself straining too hard without getting traction…  I probably either rushed, skipped or overlooked a step.

And even though it sometimes feels counter-intuitive, especially if I’m on a deadline, I know now that it’s true. I get further, faster, when I go back to complete the step before.

I was thinking about this today, how there’s 3 main categories of strain. That basically, with each category, the solution lies in self connection

#1: Physical Strain

How Movement and Breathwork Release Physical Tension

One quick and effective way to begin is to get centered and grounded with belly drumming before moving into deeper breathwork and movement practices.

1. First by releasing tension from your muscles and joints.
2. Next, by circulating fresh energy through your meridian pathways. One powerful way to do this is to use 5 Elements Qigong to restore energetic flow through each of the organ systems.
3. Third, by strengthening to cultivate qi-energy in your core. If you need a quick reset between sessions, you can restore focus in 5 minutes using a simple Water Up, Fire Down practice.

As qi-energy flows freely between your brain and body it flows freely in your daily life as well. This is why my ‘Qi-Energetics’ members often say they are continually amazed how cultivating Qi-energy creates more ease in life and business.

2. Emotional Strain

Release Emotional Strain by Building Confidence Through Action

Releasing emotional strain starts with:

1. Getting clear and focused on what you want, and your priorities.
2. By harnessing your mind and energy to take bold action.

This is important because many people make the mistake of waiting to have the confidence to move forward into new territory.

They get caught in a cycle of fear, perfection and procrastination. Needing everything to be perfectly executed as they move forward.

But confidence only comes from experience…

Gathering courage and taking action to measure your results and develop your skills is what’s required.

As you take brave action, your brain verifies the results and as you develop your skills, your confidence builds.

Also See: How To Liberate Yourself From Fear & Procrastination

3. Mental Strain

How Non-Acceptance Creates Mental Stress and Blocks Productivity

It’s easy to get caught up in the “could have and should have” monologue, of wishing people and situations were different than they are. Oddly, we generally don’t see the roots of mental strain within ourselves. We are more likely to attribute the blame to others or situations we believe are outside our control. Especially when we layer it with our moral values of what’s good or bad or right or wrong. This falls into the category of conducting the same behavior over and over… and expecting a different result. It can fuel instability, quagmire productivity and sabotage working relationships. Learning how to stay calm when triggered is a key skill in breaking this cycle before it takes hold.

Not surprising when you think about it, often rising up to haunt us in the quiet of the night. See: Does Stress Keep You Up At Night

Mental stress is a spiritual issue. It is released, actually it get’s dissolved through wisdom. It involves grounding into the present moment, and then “going meta” to see and accept people and circumstances as they are. And when mental strain is released, the body follows—supporting the restorative sleep your system needs to reset; these 7 steps to a better night’s sleep work hand in hand with the practices above.

Restore Flow by Addressing All 3 Types of Strain

It’s a paradox, that the act of acceptance (not to be confused with apathy) brings the awareness we need to shift from fear based reaction mode into a proactive state of calm and peaceful control.

Meditation is great for this because it provides you with a meta viewpoint to see your emotional attachments and observing any hidden motivations and unrealistic expectations more objectively, without getting stubborn, self-righteous or sentimental.

The wisdom to know what, when and how to accept frees your mind to shift out of the problem into the solution objectively, recalibrate to zero at will and relax into a more effective approach. This is deeply connected to the Metal element and the art of letting go, a foundational principle in Chinese medicine that supports both mental clarity and energetic renewal. 

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