What is a stressor - The Healthy Living Plan

What is a ‘stressor’ and how to eliminate it?

Mental imagery acts as a stressor.

A stressor is defined as ‘a stimulus that causes stress’. (Merriam Webster)

Often times, we think that this ‘stimulus’ is the person or thing that is currently in our personal space. However, recent medical research into mental imagery and emotions highlights the important role that mental imagery plays in triggering stress responses. Therefore, mental imagery can be identified as the stressor and each of us has our own unique mental imagery targeting our own unique stress responses.

An example of mental imagery acting as a stressor

An example offers context. As a young student, you walked on the school stage to present a speech in a competition. You were feeling pretty good about about your speech but halfway through, you saw the judge falling asleep. Suddenly you panicked, thinking that you would receive a terrible mark. You felt the energy drain from your body and your face flushed. Now every time you need to present at work, you panic that your presentation will not be good enough. You physically feel the same sensations of energy draining from your body and your face flushing. You think that you are reacting to ‘the presentation’. But rather you are reacting to the mental imagery or memory from your experience years ago, complete with the same emotions and physical sensations.

You may think that it’s not a big deal because it’s not often that you need to do public speaking. But what about your boss or coworker stressing you out every day. You may think it is the person standing in front of you when actually, they are triggering an old memory or mental imager that is distressing for you.

In essence, stressors are mental imagery that can be in the form of memories, beliefs and fantasies. Memories, beliefs and fantasies get activated by events in your everyday life. When activated, they trigger your thoughts, emotions and physical sensations. In some cases, this is a pleasant experience. At other times, it feels distressing. And if you encounter the stimulus repeatedly, you experience the same stressful reaction each and every time.

“Every time I have a report due, I panic and my heart races.”

“My workload is too demanding and yet I automatically say ‘yes’ when there is a project to be done.”

You can identify and resolve your stressors using Logosynthesis.

Mental imagery, which we can experience as memories, beliefs and fantasies, are energetic in nature. The stress responses, which can be recognized as thoughts, emotions and physical sensations, are also energetic in nature. The opportunity to resolve a stressor is to shift the energy bound in the mental imagery so that it no longer triggers the same stressful emotions. The goal is to resolve stressful patterns.

Logosynthesis is a psychotherapeutic and coaching model that uses the energetic power and intention of specific words to shift the energy in distressing mental imagery. The Logosynthesis Basic Procedure offers a precise, repeatable technique to identify and resolve distressing mental imagery. This provides immediate and sustained relief from the presenting issue.

Using Logosynthesis routinely, you will feel a greater sense of ease and clarity to focus on what is important in your life. The Healthy Living Plan offers support to learn to use Logosynthesis to resolve your stressors, through 1-1 coaching, workshops and other resources.

Get started now to eliminate your stressors:

Check out these resources to get you started. You can also watch the guided video below to experience what can shift. Firstly, grab a glass of water and find a quiet, uninterrupted place. Allow at least 30 minutes so that you are not rushed. And then, simply follow my guidance on the video. Energy shifts can feel subtle or intense, so take some time to notice what shifts over the next few days and weeks. Enjoy!