Dear Natural Health Friends,

A couple of weeks ago, I sent an email about reducing stress through writing down your stressors and addressing what you can. If you have not read that email yet, I encourage you to do so before continuing with this one. (Here it is!)

You’ve Done the Writing Exercise…

Once you have identified your stressors, written them down, and taken action on what is within your control, you may still experience moments of significant stress. Stressful events will occur in life no matter how responsibly we prepare or act. While handling what we can reduces the overall load, it does not eliminate every difficult moment. In fact, attempting to avoid stress entirely can itself become a source of tension.

Trying to Avoid Stress is Stressful

The key is learning how to be fully present with the stress or discomfort when it arises, rather than trying to escape it. Let me share a personal example to illustrate this.

Story Time!

In 2018, following an accident that damaged my ulnar nerve, I experienced severe pain in my neck and shoulder. The pain was intense enough to keep me awake for most of the night—often allowing only about 20 minutes of sleep at a time—for roughly six months. It was so persistent that I scheduled an MRI to rule out more serious issues, such as a tumor.

Panic Attack in the MRI Machine

The MRI took place on a hot summer day, and the room itself was warm. As many of you know, an MRI involves lying still inside a narrow tube while the machine makes loud noises. With the added factors of exhaustion, severe pain, and the position aggravating my injury, I began to have a panic attack. My heart raced, and I felt as though I might not be able to continue. The technician asked how I was doing. I told her it was difficult and that the heat was making it worse. She offered to stop, but I chose to proceed because I needed answers about the pain. She turned on a fan, which helped somewhat.

Letting Go of the Resistance to the Experience

At that point, I decided to stay fully present with the panic and anxiety rather than resist it. I allowed myself to feel the pounding heart and the fearful thoughts without trying to push them away. What happened next was unexpected. Even as my body and mind reacted with panic, a deep sense of peace settled over me. I became calm enough to doze off during the scan.

The second part of the MRI was even more challenging. They positioned a support under my shoulder, which further compressed the area and made breathing more difficult. The pain intensified, and the panic returned. I again chose to remain present with the sensations and emotions, asking only that the fan be turned up as high as possible. Once more, as I stayed with the experience without resistance, the peace returned, and the scan was completed without further issue.

Do What You Can—And Surrender the Rest

I share this story because identifying and handling the stressors you can control is essential, but there will still be times when intense stress or pain arises suddenly—like a “911 moment.” In those situations, the practice of staying fully present with the feeling can be very effective. You might think of it as mindfulness, surrendering, or facing the discomfort directly. Whatever name you give it, the approach works.

We are not the same as our emotions or physical sensations. Instead, we are the ones who experience and observe them. When we say, “I am angry” or “I am anxious,” we are identifying ourselves with the feeling. However, it is more accurate to say that we are experiencing anger or anxiety at that moment.

The Experience Behind the Emotional Roller Coaster

Emotions naturally arise and then pass. When we stop resisting them and simply allow ourselves to observe and feel them fully, without trying to push them away, their intensity often decreases. What remains is a quiet sense of calm and steadiness.

I encourage you to try this approach the next time you face a moment of strong stress, anxiety, or pain. Combine it with the writing exercises from the previous email, and you will likely find greater relief over time.

As a side note, the supplements Drenamin, Cataplex B, and Calcium Lactate have also been very helpful for me in managing the physical effects of stress and supporting better sleep.

Sincerely yours,

Dr. Keith Sheehan