Mental stress causes physiological stress.

One of the problems of living with chronic health challenges is that it is common to begin to feel helpless, especially if one has spent years trying every medical and alternative treatment without success. Feelings of helplessness also stem from missing meaningful work and play activities as a result of not feeling well.

Environmental mastery is the antidote to feelings of helplessness. It is a state of mind rather than a behavior, and in this blog you will learn about the nature of this state. Environmental mastery is the sense that we are able to have an influence on the events in our lives. What this means is that it is not necessary to actually be in control; it is simply necessary to have the sense that we are capable of acting on our own behalf.

Over time, this blog will provide a clear picture of the connections between emotional distress, physiological stress, environmental mastery, and health.  Also, you will get a close look at how the skills leading to environmental mastery can be developed through means of various evidence-based practices.

4 replies
    • Larry Berkelhammer says:

      Kim, mindfulness practice is foundational to the acquisition of environmental mastery, and mindfulness meditation is the primary way to learn & strenghten mindfulness. Mindfulness is about living in full contact with the present moment.

    • Larry Berkelhammer says:

      Irma, environmental mastery is cultivated by engaging in activities that help us develop the sense that we have some control over our lives. This does not mean learning to control things or people. It does not even mean learning to control thoughts and feelings. What it does mean is that we are not stuck in a hopeless, helpless state of mind. Various recommended activities will be explored in future posts, but mindfulness practice is foundational to all of them

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