Ancient Wisdom For The Stresses Of Modern Life: A Holistic Approach

Complex relationships dynamics, financial strain, family obligations dynamics, physical and mental health challenges, and careers are just some of the a range of everyday concerns that can all be sources of significant stress. While the exact stressors may vary from one person to the next, many people experience high levels of stress that may feel difficult to cope with at times. 

Modern technology and recent advancements have created new tools and strategies that can be invaluable for supporting mental health, but there is also much we can learn from ancient wisdom and holistic healing. In this article, we will explore how some of these approaches and insights can help us navigate and manage the stressors of today’s fast-paced world.

The pervasiveness of modern stress

The stressors of modern life can feel overwhelming for many people. According to a poll conducted for by the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2022, 27% of Americans report that most days they are so stressed that they cannot function27% of Americans reported that they were so stressed that they could not function on most days. The poll found that inflation, violence and crime, and the political and racial climates, and the racial climate were cited as significant sources of stress by a majority of adults.  

The toll of stress over time can be serious: as noted by the APA, stress contributes directly to psychological and physiological disorder and disease. It affects mental and physical health and can reduce quality of life. 

Ancient wisdom and its relevance today

Ancient wisdom, drawn from our ancestors’ insights and teachings, can offer profound perspectives on human nature, adversity, and resilience that are still relevant today. 

Many of these philosophies often highlight the idea that while we cannot control external events, we can control our reactions to these events. This concept can be a powerful tool in stress management. 

When exploring ancient teachings, we often see parallels in modern science and practice. For example, one modern concept is the concept of perseverative cognition (PC). PC is the continuousal thought of about negative or stressful events, regardless of the actual outcome or the reality of them. This which includes things thought patterns like worrying, ruminations, negative daydreaming, and brooding. The PC model suggests that these negative thought patterns can lead to increased stress and negative health outcomes over time. In modern science psychotherapy, therapeutic techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy are often used to help unlearn these negative thought patterns and replace them with new ones. 

Some researchers have pointed out that these concepts around regarding stress have been similarly captured in ancient texts. For instance, ancient Indian texts such as the Taittiriya Upanishad, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Yoga Vashistha view stress as an ailment to the body and discuss techniques to invoke positive thought and practice mindfulness. With this in mind, incorporating some of the wisdom from these texts, such as practicing yoga, with modern approaches may be useful for modern approaches to managing stress in the present, such as through certain yoga practices.   

In addition to yoga, there are many other ancient practices from various traditions that people draw on today to try to manage stress and promote relaxation, such as meditation, mindfulness, tai chi, acupuncture, aromatherapy, and qigong, to name a few. 

Many of these philosophies and practices often highlight the idea that, while we cannot control external events, we can control our reactions to these events. This concept can be a powerful tool in stress management. 

Holistic approach to managing stress: Practical strategies and techniques

Holistic stress management encompasses the interconnectedness of our mind, body, and spirit. Ancient wisdom complements this approach, providing useful practices for coping with modern stress. 

There are many different a multitude of ways you can incorporate some of these practices into your life, but and adapting ancient wisdom and holistic practices into your everyday life can start with small steps. Included below are a few ideas to consider to help you get started with some of these approaches: 

Try a five-minute guided meditation

If you are new to meditation, you may find it helpful to start with a short, guided meditation, many of which are available for free online. With a guided meditation, you can listen and follow along as a teacher leads the meditation and guides your thoughts. 

Practice mindful eating or mindful walking

Mindfulness practices, such as mindful eating or walking, can help us feel centered and grounded despite daily stressors. Mindful eating can be practiced by fully engaging our senses fully during meals and, taking the time to focus only on each bite alone and slow our minds from other distractions. Similarly, mindful walking involves paying close attention to your body and environment as you feel the ground, meet you with take one each step and you notice the temperature on your skin and the sounds of life happening nearby after another. 

Take a breathing break

Even a few intentional breaths can help us feel more relaxed. Consider practicing deep breathing or another other breathing techniques the next time you are feeling stressed, even if just for a minute or two. 

Try yoga or tai chi

If you are interested in incorporating a little more movement into your relaxation techniques, you may want to try yoga or tai chi. Both have been shown to have numerous health benefits. 

All of these can help to reduce stress and encourage small, tangible approachable steps toward stress management, so you may consider experimenting with several different approaches and seeing what you like and what works well for you. 

How online therapy can help

If you are interested in integrating ancient wisdom into your everyday wellness routine, working with a therapist who has experience in some of these practices can help you find and incorporate practices that support your well-being. 

When looking for a therapist, finding one who can provide personalized guidance for your unique needs and circumstances can help you improve your mental wellness, but depending on where you live, it may sometimes be difficult to find a therapist nearby who would be a good fit. Online therapy offers a convenient way to connect with therapists outside of your immediate region, so you can find qualified professionals who fit your needs without needing to make a long commute. 

Research has also demonstrated the effectiveness of online therapy for reducing stress and , including through the online deliveringy stress-management of approaches techniques, such as mindfulness. For instance, one research study examined the effects of an online mindfulness intervention, and it found that participants who completed the online intervention reported significantly lower levels of perceived stress, anxiety, and depression compared to the waitlist control group that did not receive the online intervention.