Art 3170 Civic Engagement Action Project Blog No. 2: Stress: Management & Prevention (Transcendental Meditation)

Stress is an issue that I think often comes across as taboo to most people but I find it interesting that it is actually experienced by them as well. Stress is not only an emotionally damaging experience but one that has a dramatic negative effect on physical health. As stated from HelpGuide, “Memory problems, Inability to concentrate, Poor judgment, Seeing only the negative, Anxious or racing thoughts, Constant worrying, Emotional symptoms, Depression or general unhappiness, Anxiety and agitation, Moodiness, irritability, or anger, Feeling overwhelmed, Loneliness and isolation, Other mental or emotional health problems, Physical symptoms, Aches and pains, Diarrhea or constipation, Nausea, dizziness, Chest pain, rapid heart rate, Loss of sex drive, Frequent colds or flu, Behavioral symptoms, Eating more or less, Sleeping too much or too little, Withdrawing from others, Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities, Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax, Nervous habits”. Stress is often not treated accordingly because a person experiencing stress may come off as hostile from projecting what they are experiencing onto others. This also often leads to toxic stress which manifests itself onto others and creates a chain reaction of negative energy. Now more than ever I believe we are all experiencing stress and have for sometime collectively, so the stigma is somewhat felt more but also not necessarily understood. Stress experienced at an early age can also interfere with an individual for the rest of their lives. As the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health describes, “Early life toxic stressors increase one’s vulnerability to maladaptive health outcomes such as an unhealthy lifestyle, socioeconomic inequity, and poor health”. Stress is normal in regards to creating growth from negative experiences which can be considered acute stress but too much can become too overwhelming which is referred to as chronic stress but in both terms I believe can also be felt for their overwhelming negative experience.

Stress matters to me because it has affected me directly and indirectly. I chose this issue because I have experienced the overwhelming effects of stress from within and by outside sources. I chose this issue to bring awareness to stress and toxic stress created by stress. I have stumbled across some transparent and enlightening practice for alleviating stress and elevating the mood. With stress often comes negativity but I also believe that this can or should be processed through art and creativity. During a period of time when I felt uninspired I came across the practice of transcendental meditation. Transcendental meditation can allow you to reflect and reach a desired place of peace and enhanced creativity. This in turn can have a chain reaction of positivity. I believe that art can also serve as a portal through meditation.