Stressed out. And now you have a DUI arrest. Getting into trouble with the law is very stressful.

Stress is one of those overused words that, unfortunately, has lost its meaning. In fact, stress may have caused your current situation. 

Stress in family situations or worrying about work causes the body to produce stress hormones. Worrying causes your body to change: your heart begins to race, breathing becomes more shallow and faster, your muscles become tight and tense, and sweat begins to form.

Strong, negative emotions (fear, anger, anxiety, hopelessness) tend to narrow our minds... When these negative emotions are present, our brains respond by secreting cortisol, the stress hormone. This inhibits our brains from effectively processing information.¹

This is also known as the "fight-or-flight" mode, or the sympathetic nervous system. This shows how closely your mind and body are connected. 

Most people can't control stress. In fact, most of us are unaware that our bodies are under chronic stress most of the time. Chronic low-level stress has been compared to a car idling too high for too long. After a while, this has a negative effect on your body and can lead to serious health problems. Read more about understanding the stress response

Studies have shown that chronic stress is a contributing factor to high blood pressure and raises the risk of heart attacks or strokes, inflammation, obesity, anxiety, depression, and addiction.

According to world-renowned bestselling author Dr. Gabor Maté,

"Emotional stress is a major cause of physical illness, from cancer to autoimmune conditions and many other chronic diseases."

In his opinion, people who tend to suppress their emotions—those who have not developed the ability to say “no” to the world's demands—those who take on more, experience more stress. It's that stress, then, according to Dr. Maté, that contributes to the onset of disease in a major way.

Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you. ~ Anne Lamott

Stress is a physical process, and some of the most effective strategies to reduce stress responses are movement and breathing. The first step is to become aware that you are under stress.

It is recommended that you focus your attention on your breath. This takes your attention away from emotions and thoughts.

It is a practice. And it is not easy. Notice your thoughts. No judgment. No resistance. 

Just as a fletcher straightens an arrow shaft, even so the discerning man straightens his mind—so fickle and unsteady, so difficult to guard.²

Do not try to stop your thinking. Let it stop by itself. If something comes into your mind, let it come in, and let it go out. It will not stay long When you try to stop your thinking it means you are bothered by it. Do not be bothered by anything. ³ 

It is recommended that you develop a relationship with the Now, or what is, or what is happening, the present moment.⁴

This is because if one's relationship with the present moment, the Now, is dysfunctional, that dysfunction will be reflected in every relationship and every situation. Make the present moment your friend. You should welcome it, no matter what disguise it wears.

This has also been described as mindfulness. Remembering and paying attention to the present moment. 

When you are disturbed by the thinking mind, remind yourself that you are not practicing to prevent thinking but rather to recognize and acknowledge thinking whenever it arises.⁵

If you have been arrested for a DUI or criminal offense in California, contact Attorney Richard Wagner at (714) 721-4423. 

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^{1. Marc Brackett, Ph.D., Permission To Feel, Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help Our Kids, Ourselves, and Our Society Thrive, (2019) p.28}

^{2. The Dhammapadda Ch. 3, The Mind.} 

^{3. Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, Informal talks on Zen Meditation and practice (2003) p.22.}

^{4. Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth, Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (2005).} 

^{5. Insight Hour Podcast with Joseph Goldstein. Ep.03, Merging Awareness and Expression (July 29, 2015.)}