Dealing with Stress using the Transference of Energy

@CoreyLStokes

I once read this quote, “Energy cannot be destroyed; it can only be transformed.” This has always stuck with me, especially when dealing with stress. 

Our bodies produce energy all the time. This energy needs to be used, or it will build up and cause us problems. When we experience stress, our bodies release a lot of energy. This energy can manifest in different ways, such as emotional distress, mental anguish, or physical tension.

One of the keys to dealing with stress is finding healthy ways to transform this energy. One way to do this is to express our emotions healthily. If we are anxious, we can talk to a friend or therapist or engage in physical activity that helps release that pent-up energy. If overwhelmed, take breaks throughout the day to relax and de-stress by walking or doing a 10-minute workout.

Another way to transform stress energy is to connect with our spiritual side. This can be done through meditation, prayer, or time in nature. When we connect with our spirituality, we tap into a source of peace and calm that can help us weather the storms of life.

Finally, we can also transform stress energy through physical activity. Exercise is a great way to release pent-up energy and improve our mood. It also helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and stroke.

We can improve our physical and mental health by finding healthy ways to transform stress energy. We can also become more resilient in the face of life’s challenges.

I felt this firsthand in 2018 and in 2021. I retired in “2018, but it actually stuck in 2021”. Although my official retirement date is September 1, 2021, right before my 2018 trip to Jordan, I was told I would have to retire once I returned. Despite my saying the 2018 date was a mistake, I had a lot of work to do in a short amount of time. Almost immediately after I returned from R&R, I cleared my desk and was on terminal leave (vacation time signifying my exit from the military until my official retirement date). I was stressed because I only had weeks to find a place to live and sign out of base housing (I had to vacate before going on terminal leave). But there was still more to do: job interviews, ensuring my children didn’t change school districts. Was there even time for a ceremony at this point? On the Friday before my final day in the military, I received a call saying that my record had been corrected and that I needed to report back to active duty until 2021 when I retired. Still, even that has its own set of stresses.

Needless to say, my physical health was in great shape. The one thing that didn’t change during my time of stress was my workout routine. That buildup of excess energy caused a great deal of anxiety and stress during those years. However, transferring that energy through physical exercises helped me maintain stability in my body’s energy levels.

Another time I was under extreme stress was in mid-2008. In my earlier posts, I explained that I was not controlling my finances. The truth of the matter was that my financial house was a mess. My credit cards were maxed out, bills were late, and worst of all, my wife and I were not seeing eye to eye on anything. My stress levels were beyond what I thought I could handle. I needed a win in some area of my life to breathe from the stress. My time exercising served as this reprieve. Every morning, I would go down to the track or the gym and push it until all the negative energy was spent. The more stressed I was, the earlier I would get there. I would leave it all on the track (or the mat).

So, next time you are stressed, anxious, or just having a bad day, remember that energy can only be transformed, not destroyed. Find a healthy way to express your emotions, connect with your spirituality, and get moving. Your body and mind will thank you for it.

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