The Benefits of Stress on our Longevity

The trees have the right idea.

Mindfulness Chat:

The benefits of stress on our longevity. The trees have the right idea!

When we talk about becoming “old”, even the most die-hard optimist has a hard time fending off the angst.  We find ourselves joking about it, or quickly pushing away images of wheelchairs and adult diapers.  

But talking about “longevity” is an altogether different experience. Thinking about aging as an art seems to bring forth our inner optimism. It makes it a little easier to stay and chew on.  It makes it a little easier to open ourselves up to strategies and steps that we can take.  

Feeling open?  Let me tell you a story about trees. 

Eight scientists walk into glass igloo in the desert.  No, this isn’t the beginning of a joke, but instead the beginnings of a new theory on longevity.  These scientists were not planning to study longevity, but our ability to create an earth-like atmosphere from scratch.  They created a biosphere.  As part of the experiment, trees were planted inside the dome.  Being well cared for, the trees inside grew rapidly.  Imagine eating the perfect balance of food and getting the perfect balance of nutrients.  You would thrive, right?  Turns out, no.  Before reaching maturity, many of the trees fell over and died early.  What on earth (or rather, fake earth) happened?  After agreeing to study the doomed trees, they found the answer:  no wind!  The trees had no wind, no stress, and therefore they were deficient in stress wood.  With no stress, they had no resilience.  Wowza!

If you google yoga and stress, you will find many current studies on the therapeutic benefits of yoga and mental health.  But 2,000 years ago, yoga philosophy wasn’t talking about taking our stress away.  Instead, philosophers like Patanjali, were giving advice on how to respond when the inevitable stress happens.  You may wish for a stress-free life, but Patanjali said you can’t escape suffering —no one can.  And for the sake of our longevity, maybe we shouldn't!  

The tree-wind experiment suggests that living things can’t reach our full potential without enduring some physical stress.  (My heated power yoga clients are giving high-fives.)  We are now beginning to research the benefits of resilience on our mental health.  

Clearly, there are things we can start doing today, like exercising to build up our physical resilience.  Longevity is hopeful.  So step on in! 

Until next time,

Laura Rose

Meditation

Finding Present Meditation: Begin by concentrating on a tree or the sound of wind in the trees. Maybe you are sitting, maybe you are walking slowly, maybe you are doing the yoga Tree Pose. Breathe and concentrate on the tree.

When you feel present, either continue like this for the whole meditation or begin the mindfulness meditation.

Mindfulness Meditation: Imagine a large, ancient tree. Shift your attention to the right side of the tree. Just watch as the tree struggles a bit in the wind. If a thought or feeling arises, just notice it. Notice it until it floats away.

Shift your attention to the left side of the tree as it shifts and sways. Just notice. If anything arises, just notice it until it floats away.

Shift your attention to the top of the tree, shifting and centering. Just notice. If anything arises, just notice it until it floats away.

Shift your attention to the heart of the tree, trying to find center. Just notice. If anything arises, just notice it until it floats away.

Shift your attention to the roots of the tree. Notice how the ancient roots of this tree are thick and strong from struggle. How the sways and pushes and shifts only make it stronger and more stable. Rooted. If a thought or feeling arises, just notice it. Notice it until it floats away.

Closing Routine: When you are ready, rub fingers together a and take three cleansing breaths. Or find a closing routine that works for you.