Does it seem to you that “stress” is the ever-present influence on which all ills get blamed? I continue to see new information on stress as the culprit causing a long list of problems: depression, low-libido, decreased immune function, heart disease, indigestion and more…

In western medicine we tend to focus on finding the culprit for each disorder and then “eradicating the offender.” Our unspoken concept is that if we can find the one cause and remove it, then the person will be healthy. In stress management, this approach doesn’t really work.

Eastern and alternative medicine consider a different premise of the whole system existing in a balanced state, so even if an offending problem is removed, the person still does not have health unless the whole system is in balance with maximum adaptability restored.

When we think about stress from these two viewpoints, we may need to shift our view from removing stress to co-existing with stress and working to create and support healthy perceptions about the challenges we face which cause stress.

Stressors can be categorized as internal or external. Everyone has circumstances, people, and situations which can be perceived as stressful; but usually the impact of the stressor is related to the way the person interprets the stressor. A trigger for one person may not be a trigger for the next person. It is not the actual circumstance that differs; it is the person’s perception or capacity to adapt that makes a difference in the effect the stressor will cause.

In his book Why Zebra’s Don’t Get Ulcers, Robert Sapolsky describes our constant perceptions of stress as a source of continually elevated hormones that promote disease. The choice available to each of us is to shift our perception. The option of mindfulness, or “being present in this moment,” provides the most accessible method to peacefully co-exist with the stressors in our lives.

Mindfulness is a choice to notice what is present at this moment. When we focus on the past or the future, we have left the current reality and are relying on our imagination or perceptions. This is where anxiety and stress can run wild. In these moments, I often ask myself, “Am I ok right now?” The answer is almost always “Yes.” From this position, I can more calmly assess my next steps, or at least feel peaceful in choosing where to focus next.

We can promote tranquility from the inside out by providing the ingredients for our body and mind to function at its best. Informing ourselves about healthy diet – and acting on this knowledge – empowers us to create a healthy internal environment rather than adding to internal stress and lack of clear reasoning. Removing toxins and foods that promote inflammation or congestion is a great beginning. Other supportive habits include getting adequate sleep, drinking plenty of water, practicing healthy movement, and spending time with good friends.

While life may be unpredictable and feel rocky at times, the choice to live in a peaceful, mindful way is always available to us. I’m making that choice right now, for this moment…and now again in this moment, too!