When times are tough, how do you cope? Notice what happens to your body. Just by thinking of a tough time you may feel or imagine the reaction in your body: things tense up, they shut down, or they accelerate. Your body is coping with what your mind is processing. See how your “issues” can be found in both the body and mind? Your body remembers the tough time in its system and your mind remembers the tough time in its system: both need to be cleared. Many holistic treatments work using this understanding. Even some psychological treatments work in this way. Next time you are in a tough spot and you must “cope”, try this: try to be more present (yes, even in a difficult circumstance, it is not just for fun times) and when you feel your body react and/or shut down or speed up, breathe into it, breathe as you are processing the grief, sadness, or stress. Breathe as you cry or get angry and stay present. Ask for help in coping; reach out for help in the physical as well. And be open to small blessings.
