Stress Vs Relaxation

We navigate our lives through two different lenses. One is a telephoto kind of lens and the other is kind of a fish eye super wide lens.

Likewise photographers and videographers, we use the telephoto lenses for action, moving things and to perceive things very closely or thoroughly. Whereas, fish eye lenses are used for vast landscapes, static things and to perceive the vastness of the overall environment. These lenses I’m referring to are metaphors for the two parts of our Autonomic Nervous System. The Sympathetic branch is responsible for action, pursuit of goals and successfully overcoming challenges in our environment. The Parasympathetic branch is responsible for relaxation, recovery and repair.

As the eyes (retina) are literally part of the brain, it makes sense that various visual activities activate different networks and parts of the brain. Thus, what if we could enhance our ability to activate these two parts of the ANS on demand. Meaning, when we need focus, determination and readiness we perform certain visual activities that activate the Sympathetic branch. Also, we can perform different kinds of activities to foster relaxation, calmness and healing. In other words, to activate the Parasympathetic branch.

So, a visual activity that produces calmness and relaxation starts by putting on those fish eye lenses on the eyes. In other words, deliberately broadening your visual field. Go outside and stare at the farthest point you can (horizon if possible) for a minute or so and notice the calmness it brings. Also, notice the rate at which you blink your eyes. I suppose that it would significantly reduce whilst staring afar. The same technique is used to take landscape photographs. We direct our focus to the farthest point in the frame and we are able to keep the shutter open for quite some time.

The contrary is also proven to be true. If you need to prepare to engage in any kind of physical activity, I’d suggest you put on those telephoto lenses of yours. Grab a book, a newspaper or a magazine and move your eyes from the left to the right like you’d do if you were reading that page extremely fast. You don’t have to read the words or make sense of anything, just move your eyes sideways as fast as possible for a minute or so and notice what kind of sensation it brings. I suppose a sense of “I’m ready” will arise. Like in sports or wildlife photography where you will reduce the time that the shutter open and shut to the maximum, in order to freeze the action, this technique will enhance your ability to respond wisely to stressful situations. In other words, if someone presses your buttons, you’ll be ready to access your most sophisticated wisdom to respond to it as opposed to autonomically (automatically) reacting by evoking your most primitive instinct of survival.

Hope you put these two powerful techniques to use to gain extra control over your actions.