For the past two weeks, the word mentorship was mentioned a few times. I saw one of my favourite mentors, Stanley Ming, twice in a short period, and that was a blessing because he is always super busy. I waited a couple of hours on the flight from Miami to Guyana, then another few hours in the air.
He teaches valuable life lessons without realising that he is teaching because it comes naturally to him. He is a great human being who continues to contribute to making the world a better place. I am not the most patient person, but I admire his patience, which is one of the attributes I try to emulate. When you live a purpose-driven life like this Guyanese icon and continue to add value to others, you will inevitably build a great legacy.
I am sure Mr Ming has his fair share of challenges, but he has created a formula to prevent stress from having a negative impact on him. I believe one of the stress reliefs is visiting Isika, which is near Parika. I LOVE THAT PLACE. I was very happy to join Stan, a few of his staff and friends and colleagues last Sunday. I must thank his nephew Samuel for engaging in stimulating conversation on the way. I actually had plans to do some work on my phone for the 50-minute trip, but the convo was too good to divert, and when we got there, it was not an option.
That place makes me forget the world and be in the present. No matter how demanding our professions are, we need to relax, recharge and rejuvenate. This place is a stress reliever and great for our mental health. The stimulating conversation, food, drinks, breeze etc. reminded us how fortunate we are to be able to enjoy this. I took my sandals off and started walking on the sand and clay while drinking some wine. This felt amazing! I always watch Mr Ming’s daredevil manoeuvres on the jets. When you have been involved with adrenaline sports, a better part of life comes naturally. Age is certainly not stopping him.
Just like we schedule meetings, we have to schedule rest. It is important to know what replenishes your emotional tank, mental tank, spiritual tank, and physical tank. When those tanks are empty, we will experience massive activation of our stress hormones. The first step to managing stress is to identify the things that are causing you stress. Once you know your stressors, you can start to develop strategies for dealing with them.
Make lifestyle changes: There are several lifestyle changes that can help to reduce stress, such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep.
Practice relaxation techniques: Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Seek professional help: If you are struggling to manage stress on your own, seek professional help from a therapist or counsellor.
It is important to remember that everyone experiences stress differently. What works for one person may not work for another. The key is to find healthy ways to cope with stress that work for you. Stress is a normal part of life. Our bodies are not built to be in constant stress. When it becomes chronic, it can have some adverse effects on our physical and mental health. Stress can trigger headaches, especially in people who are already prone to them.
I left Guyana for two and a half weeks and one of my friends was experiencing a severe headache for a while. I check on her almost every day and not much has changed. I saw her a few days ago, and the situation was the same and I expressed how worried I am especially after watching Dr. Joe Dispenzer talk about stress. Stress can also cause muscle tension, leading to pain and discomfort. Sometimes, I feel it in my shoulders, which reminds me that I need a massage.
Stress can upset the digestive system, causing symptoms such as heartburn, diarrhoea, and constipation. I am sleeping so much better now and I am totally loving it. Stress can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making it more difficult to fight off infection. Stress can cause or worsen anxiety, which is characterised by feelings of worry, nervousness, and fear.
Chronic stress can increase the risk of depression, which is a mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities. I have seen people constantly irritable and get angry at the drop of a hat, not realising it was triggered by stress. Stress can make it difficult to focus and concentrate, affecting work, school, and other activities. Stress can cause people to withdraw from social activities and isolate themselves. I believe it is more common in recent times.
In addition to these general adverse effects, stress can also exacerbate existing health conditions, such as:
Heart disease: Stress can increase blood pressure and heart rate, which can put a strain on the heart and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
High blood pressure: Stress can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure. However, chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
Diabetes: Stress can raise blood sugar levels, which can make it difficult to control diabetes.
Skin conditions: Stress can worsen skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
I am sure many people can resonate with some of these triggers. As a child, I always knew when mom was stressed, which made me sad. I am sure my daughters also recognised when I was stressed. I am grateful for the day I realised that even if I stress, it will not change the situation, and it interferes with my focus to find a solution.
My spiritual growth and shift in mindset have assisted a great deal. Simple things like experiencing the sunset at Isika or stopping at the West Vibes Restaurant and Sports Bar for duck curry and Roti on the way to Georgetown are relaxing. When you stop by, please request that Melanie makes the roti for your curry. She is the best!
In the next few years, I intend to carve out a few days every week to relax, recharge and rejuvenate because life is short. Let’s be deliberating about not activating those stress hormones as we continue to celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.
