A key goal of mind-body techniques is achieving an overall approach to life known as stress hardiness. Stress hardiness is associated with four important personality traits that buffer the impact of stress and improve coping. These characteristics of the "stress resistant " or "healthy" personality are identified as:
Commitment:
An attitude of curiosity and commitment to yourself, your loved ones, your work, and the world.
Control:
The belief that you can respond effectively to situations that arise in your life, rather than feeling hopeless and incompetent.
Challenge:
The ability to see change as exciting and an opportunity for growth rather
than viewing it as frightening and fearing failure.
Connection:
The enduring assurance that you are understood and validated by those you are closest to.
Stress Hardiness:
Calming the mind
Sometimes it feels like you are no longer in control of your mind. Is your mind often shoving images and thoughts into your face, even ones that you would rather not see.
Steps to calm the mind:
1.Relax.: Sorry, but that is the first step of gaining control of the mind.
2. Repeat to yourself that you are what you think.: You are what you think.
3. Do not give your mind too much of an opportunity to torment you: Distract yourself.
4. Pray to whomever you believe in: Ask for help when the mind troubles are too great.
5. Remember that you used to have control of your mind: You just forgot how to do it. And remember, you are not alone.
"We are shaped by
our thoughts; we become
what we think.
When the mind is pure,
joy follows like a shadow
that never leaves"
--Buddha