STRESS

I have had a simple question rolling around my big brain for about a week now; "How much does stress weigh?"

I will regress from this question to introduce where this thought comes from, escort you through my mental process. Tis the season to be jolly. Turns out that not only is it the season to be jolly, but also the season to gain weight. Studies for years have suggested that the average American gains about 5-10lbs during the holiday season. This is only partially true. The reality is Americans tend to gain only about 1-2lbs during the holidays. Which is not really that big of deal until you continue reading the research and find out that Americans, as they age, gain about 1-2 lbs a year. (This is weight gain that keeps adding to itself.) So one could reason that this annual weight gain can be directly linked to the 6 weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years Eve. Sad, but when we take an even closer look at the research, you discover that the Americans who fall into this 1-2lbs holiday weight gain category are considered to be from the "healthy" population. The Average American is not healthy. The average American is about 25lbs overweight. So they do not fall into this 1-2lbs of weight during the holiday season category. No, these individuals who are already overweight or obese have their own category; they belong to the "5-10lbs  weight gain during the holiday season" club. (A sign of hopelessness?) Weight, according to studies, they will carry to the next holiday season... and the one after that. Tragic. It doesn't take a M.I.T. graduate to do the quick math.

These finding outs get to me. They bother me. I carry them with me. I pass strangers who are obese and say a mediation for them. I have begun including the general population in my meditations. Obesity is an epidemic that used to anger me. Outrage me. I am slowly, steadily finding it in my heart to release this anger. Trade in in my feelings of rage for understanding, which MUST NOT be confused with sympathy. Sympathy equals pity, it breeds victims and shifts the burden of responsibility off of the individual. Understanding on the other hand, opens the door for conversation and allows a healing process to begin, allows for one to see that we all chose our paths; good, bad, lean, or obese. These are conscious decisions.

With this thought we arrive back to question, "how much does stress weigh?"

Tis the season to be Jolly. Is this true? Is there anything jolly about "Black Friday"? A time when our families leave our sides at Thanksgiving to go stand in line for hours to buy "reduced" material stuff. Items that if they waited till the day/week after Christmas to buy they could get even cheaper. Where is the Jolly in Starbucks and other companies being opened on Christmas day? How much holiday cheer do the employees of these companies get driving themselves to work to serve others on a day that is supposed to be about joy, family, and peace on Earth.What is Jolly about individuals allowing themselves (again, their choice) to spend money/credit on gifts during such tough economic times? Why do we even buy gifts? Obligation? Tradition?

My goal is simply to point out that our festive season has evolved into a season of stress. I believe, that there is a direct correlation between stress and weight gain during the holiday season. To reduce the connection between holiday stress levels and holiday weight gain to a coincidence is similar to closing one's eyes in the middle of the day and stating it is dark out, irrational. Our physical selves are not only represented by the fuel we consume. We, more than anything, are a physical product of our self perceptions: our thoughts and emotions. Both externally and internally.

I can name dozens, literally, of hard working people. Individuals who, through vigorous exercise and physical training, 'kill' themselves. They eat well, maybe not perfect, but make a conscious effort to hold themselves accountable to some sort of food standard. Yet, they don't change. Or when they do, it is minimal. The effort doesn't seem worth the result. They become frustrated and search for answers, only to reason, they must work harder! Run another mile, increase their intensity, cut out carbs... determined to do more, they fail to recognize that their weight gain or maintain is more a result of what they believe. Believe about themselves, the world around them, or the relationships/friendships they keep. Literally, their thoughts weigh them down.

We live in a society of chaos. A matrix of faux ideas and gimmicks. We are confronted with stress the moment we are brought out of our slumber by a screaming electronic device. We keep strict schedules and demanding lifestyles. We believe that "bigger, faster, stronger" is the way to righteousness. "No pain, no gain". I find this to be an ironic philosophy for a culture so desperately in need of healing. 

So this holiday season, slow down. Breathe. Take a moment to confront your feelings and emotions. Forgive yourself and forgive others. Give yourself permission to relax. When feelings of frustration, anger, resentment, and fear arise, take a moment to transfer that energy into a positive thought. Release those feelings, free yourself of the toxic effects these thoughts and emotions have on you. Just be, you already are.

The next time you are starring in the mirror, tell yourself you love yourself, AND MEAN IT! Strip down to your bare body and stand in front of the mirror and be OK with that person. Allow that person to move forward, to grow. Give that person permission to be OK. Learn to meditate. Try it. It works. What do you got to lose, besides probably a few pounds and a lot of built up negativity.

I am not sure how much stress weighs... but I know I am not letting it weigh me down any longer. My prayer for you is that you choose the same. Life is nothing more than a series of choices. Choose wisely.