Can you imagine how much more it would
hurt when you stubbed your toe if you didn’t
say “ouch!”? Moans and groans are other
sounds that come from your body instinctively.
All of these natural sounds of the body
actually stimulate your brain to release
neurochemicals and endorphins that help your
body heal or manage pain.
What I would like to share with you is how you
can use the natural sounds of your voice to
amp up this healing release of endorphins and
also to help minimize symptoms of stress.
TIP 1: RELAXATION AS SIMPLE AS A SIGH
You can use the natural voice of the body
to discharge excess emotional energy and
the stress it brings on. We do it all the time.
We sigh. We just don’t do it consciously. A
good sigh is one of those natural sounds of
your body that stimulates the brain to release
endorphins that help the body manage pain
or heal.
A vocalized sigh is even more effective. A
vocalized sigh is when you actually say ahhh as
you sigh. To maximize the effect of the sigh and
the release of endorphins, start the vocalized
ahhh around the middle of your vocal range; let
it drop into the low sound of your voice as you
sigh “ahhh” on a long full breath.
Try it three times. Notice how you feel. I have
shared this experience with thousands of
people. Most often I hear “I feel calmer,” or
“I feel so much more relaxed!” What you are
experiencing is the release of endorphins—
the “feel good” hormones—dissipating the
stress hormones, adrenaline, and cortisol.
TIP 2: BE HERE NOW Have you ever arrived
at a red light when out driving and you can’t
remember how you got there? I certainly have.
Whenever I notice myself doing this, it is a
great reminder to become present and pay
attention to my driving. When I’m driving my
car, my life depends on me being present!
Not remembering how you got
to the red light is an example
of being un-grounded, or not
present, and of being in your
head more than your body.
Many of us spend most of our
day in our head! Maybe you
are working on a report due
tomorrow at work, sitting in
a brainstorming session, in a
community meeting, solving
problems, cooking dinner,
driving kids to activities, or
the worst one—captured by
ongoing chatter in your mind,
especially the worry chatter.
The truth is, you do your most
effective and greatest work
94 | Eydis Magazine