Time-Tested Techniques: Ancient Stress-Relief Practices for Modern Life
2 Imaginative Ways to Manage and Thrive During Hard Times
Imagination has often been overshadowed and undervalued in comparison to reason. In our tech-centric world, we frequently turn to online searches to acquire information, quickly adapt to new devices, and logically solve the challenges we encounter.
We often neglect to nurture and enable our imagination. Research in neuroscience is revealing the profound significance of imagination, highlighting its pivotal role in forming memories and envisioning our future experiences.
No joke. Your imagination is key to a healthy and successful life.
In my previous article, I list 5 key ways imaginative thinking works in your life to improve it.
This article explores two time-tested ancient practices that effectively helped previous generations.
I strongly encourage you to initiate one of these ancient practices. You’ll not regret it.
1. Ritual and ceremony.
Transitions from one state to another often provoke stress and anxiety since they mark the end of something known and the beginning of something unknown.
In uncertain times, acting out a ritual helps. Ceremonies and rituals bring out our creative, imaginative selves.
Your ceremony could coincide with the change of seasons, a career shift, or the process of moving on from a significant relationship.
By creating a special ceremony— with candles, flowers, drawings, photos and other artifacts — you represent what you are leaving behind and what you are growing into.
This very act decreases stress and fosters excitement.
When we move from one state to another, we go through a “liminal” state.
Liminal states refer to states of transition. They are gaps between one way of being and another one.
Physically a liminal gap looks like a doorway. Emotionally, it looks like a divorce and metaphorically it looks like a decision.
Too often these liminal states are ignored and we just stay anxious about the future.
By conducting a ritual —a creative ceremony — we acknowledge the change that’s occurring in our lives and we foster acceptance of the unknown future we are growing into.
Surprise yourself!
2. Shaping and Composing your surroundings.
This can be as simple as rearranging your living space or as elaborate as buying new furniture and new paintings — heralding in a new you!
When we re-organize our surroundings we become artists and compose a new space to live in. It is a special act involving control.
Oftentimes, life transitions make us feel out of control.
The very act of re-organizing our surroundings enables us to feel in control of our lives.
To feel “in control” of life is big. No small matter.
A weight lifts from our shoulders and an excitement wells up in our chests.
Rearranging our outer world initiates a shift in our inner world. It brings joy and contentment. And, it makes us feel in control of our lives.
Whenever we plan and organize we get a shot of dopamine — the “feel good” neurotransmitter.
Dopamine is one of several neurotransmitters that our body makes and our nervous system uses to message neurons that enable us to plan, focus and find things interesting.
Doing something deliberately and conscientiously helps us cope.
Action itself brings satisfaction. It seems simple but its not, especially when we are feeling overwhelmed by some transition in life.
However, acting purposely shifts the dynamic from feeling helpless to feeling in control.