The World Wasn’t Meant for Your Shoulders: Constructive Rest for Feeling Stressed
How to Stop Living a High-Stress Life
Too many of us carry worlds on our shoulders. Daily stresses compile until we’re wracked by overwhelm, unable to keep going without breaking down. Some of us are slowed by illness while others are stopped entirely by the inability to carry on. But most of us fall somewhere in between.
There have been days so heavy that I’ve found myself lying on the floor. It’s a particular kind of heaviness that can drive us there, to the lowest point in the room. Our bodies, wrecked by anxiety, find comfort in being entirely grounded.
I didn’t know there was a name for this. It’s called the Alexander Technique, and it promotes Constructive Rest. The position involves a flat back, bent knees, and a supported head. This rest practice has mental and physical benefits, and a mere 20 minutes a day can actively promote wellness. While there are many ways we can actively work to reduce our stress, this one method is something my body naturally craves and…
