I recently encouraged you to explore ways to destress your life. It’s one of the most significant topics clients bring to me to help them deal with workplace anxiety, frustration and overwhelm. It wasn’t until I dealt with this topic myself that I was able to support leaders in every industry and at every level of leadership about how to more effectively face this issue with resolutions that work. I call it The Practice.

It encompasses a number of activities you can choose from to help you deal with any stress you face in the moment. Let’s take a look at some situations that can lead us down the rabbit hole of overwhelm. Perhaps you face workplace disagreements that escalate into anxiety. Maybe you missed deadlines that caused your stress levels to rise. It could be A colleague who snaps at you in the heat of a discussion. Or speaks to you in a way that makes you feel less than or unworthy of consideration. You may be facing annoyances with your job that cause you to want to quit. Or you may just want to find a way to say no to more work being piled on you that you are unable to accomplish in a timely manner.

These are just a few examples of why it is important to develop The Practice so that you can face work-life stresses with grace and poise that allows you to keep your cool and rise above the challenges of leadership.

Hi, I’m Byron Darden bringing you another edition of Leading with Purpose on Purpose. In this installment, we do a deeper dive into how to face common stressors at work. We’ll offer you tools, tips, and activities that help you to actively address those stressors. I’ll also share a personal story about how I’ve come to learn that there is no such thing as a bad practice. And we will address the effect on 264 million people worldwide who suffer from stress-related issues that lead to anxiety and depression. Are you one of those? Is there a way to remove yourself from that list? Read on and learn more. Enjoy!

Continue to learn about the Stressors.

After any stressor occurs, it’s important to get back to your center, and here are several ways you can do this.

• Acknowledgment is the first step in taking advantage of the orienting process. Recognize that your environment and headspace need clearing throughout the day. It could be prior to entering a meeting. You might have others meeting you in your space which is an ideal time to acknowledge the need for reorienting yourself between the departure of the previous person and before the arrival of the next person. 

• Grounding is the next step you’ll want to take that can easily be done by simply sitting in a chair with both feet firmly planted on the floor. Be sure to check your posture and ensure you maintain an easy straight line of  your spine without feeling the need to be stiff or hold yourself upward. I recommend moving your hips forward in your chair away from the back so that you are seated two-thirds of the way to the front of your chair.

• Orienting is something you will note in dogs following an energized altercation, be it a barking match with another dog, a run-in with a human, or anything that causes a canine disruption in their life’s flow. You will note that they literally shake their body from head to toe. While I hesitate to suggest you literally shake your body at work, it is a great way to reorient. It’s something I do at the end of every yoga session; shake from head to toe including a rigorous vocal release. There are even some schools of thought that recommend just that; literally shake to dispel the overcharged energy in your body and as one of my massage therapists recommended, yell into a pillow (mind the neighbors).

Should you not be in a space that allows for this without the wandering and curious eyes and ears of others, there are other ways to orient yourself. Such as taking a few deep breaths, twisting your body as far as possible to one side as possible, and repeating the same on the opposite side of your body. Note anything you might see or experience while unwinding. Then proceed to look up to stretch your neck and down to stretch your vertebrae. Again always note what you encounter that may be familiar or unfamiliar to you.

• Soothing comes after you orient yourself by taking a few deep breaths, rolling the shoulders first backward then forwards, and tilting your head in both directions to release tension. I recommend to my clients to have a glass of water nearby and to flush the system a few times while they move through these activities, particularly at the end.

• Assessing comes once you have completed the orienting process. Notice how you feel, what you experienced, what you saw that you hadn’t noticed before. Note any physical sensations and be sure to avoid discounting the slightest observation that seeps into your awareness. All these count toward you gaining the greatest benefit from orienting. Once you’ve completed the practice, I suggest to all my clients to note all observations in their leadership journal and bring that information to the next coaching session. It can be invaluable information you gather in your leadership journal when it comes to making connections with whatever challenges you are facing as an executive leader.

While these are the steps I use to aid clients in getting the most out of overcoming stress and anxiety on the job, I have and continue to utilize the orienting process for myself. I also practice mindfulness meditation, which I spoke of in a previous blog. 

Sometimes my meditation doesn’t go as well as I would like. In those moments I remind myself that a “poor” meditation is far more beneficial than I might admit to myself at first. Yet, once you learn more about what meditation is truly about, you’ll understand that there is a meta-level to meditation that can escape even the most practiced of us all. This boils down to my own realization that there is no such thing as a “poor” meditation. There is only the one you did not do versus the one you did do!

The Practice has made a huge difference in my life. Let me share My Story.

The number of people who could benefit from Somatic Abolitionism is vast, as it addresses both personal and collective trauma. On an individual level, people from all walks of life can experience the physical and emotional impacts of stress, trauma, or anxiety, and Somatic Abolitionism provides tools for healing these through body-based practices. Whether someone is dealing with trauma related to race, professional burnout, childhood experiences, or other stressors, this practice offers a holistic approach to healing.

On a collective level, organizations of all types can struggle because those within bring their trauma to work. By adopting embodied practices learned from Somatic Abolitionism, leaders can develop a culture of presence and increase its functionality, efficiency and overall well-being. It’s good for business! 

Considering that around **70% of adults in the U.S.** report experiencing some form of trauma in their lifetime, according to the National Council for Behavioral Health, the potential impact of a practice like Somatic Abolitionism could be significant.  Additionally, the **World Health Organization (WHO)** estimates that stress-related issues, including anxiety and depression, affect more than **264 million people worldwide**. Somatic practices aimed at emotional regulation, grounding, and mindfulness could benefit many of these individuals by offering alternative methods for managing and reducing stress.

While Somatic Abolitionism is particularly relevant to those affected by racialized trauma, its principles of healing, emotional intelligence, and resilience-building extend to anyone experiencing the mental and physical tolls of unprocessed trauma or chronic stress. Therefore, millions of people globally could potentially find value from integrating its methods into their daily lives for better overall well-being.

one with You

“Breathe. Let go. Remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” – Oprah Winfrey

The breath is where everything begins. The deeper you breathe, the more you reoxygenate your bloodstream, which leads to greater mental clarity. Taking the time to breathe deeply is the foundation for the Seven Stages of Self-Orientation, a practice I write about in Orienting: Settling the Executive Body. This simple yet powerful act of mindful breathing creates the groundwork for centering your body and mind, preparing you to navigate life’s challenges with ease.

Incorporating Somatic Abolitionism into your life goes beyond stress management—it’s about embracing and embodying your fullest self. By aligning your thoughts, actions, and emotions, this practice helps unlock a profound sense of resilience and well-being. When you center your body and foster emotional intelligence, you create the conditions for thriving in both your personal and professional life.

Take a deep breath and begin The Practice. Let Somatic Abolitionism guide you toward a life of holistic wellness, where your body, mind, and spirit work together in harmony. The path to resilience and peace begins with one intentional breath—start today. Visit  www.tripleaxelec.com and book a free call with me using the button below. 

one with You, Byron

Most of us are constantly juggling responsibilities, deadlines, and challenges that can take a toll on our mental, emotional, and physical health. Whether it’s the pressure of a demanding job, personal obligations, or the accumulation of stress from daily life, we often find ourselves feeling disconnected and overwhelmed. Despite our best efforts to manage stress or practice self-care, it’s common to feel like something is missing—a deeper sense of balance, grounding, and ease that can carry us through life’s most challenging moments.

In response to this growing need for a more integrated approach to well-being, many are turning to methods that go beyond surface-level wellness routines. We need something that speaks to the triad of our minds, our bodies, and our spirit. This is where embodied practices come in—philosophies and techniques that help us reconnect with the body and draw strength from within to manage external pressures.

At the heart of these practices is Somatic Abolitionism, a powerful, body-centered approach that encourages us to embrace our full human experience—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Unlike many wellness methods that focus on mental strategies alone, Somatic Abolitionism emphasizes the importance of tuning into the body’s wisdom as a means of knowing, healing, restoring balance, and cultivating resilience. This is a philosophy for those who seek a holistic way to navigate life’s complexities with confidence and clarity while learning to take responsibility for and the metabolization of that which led to the existing limitations.

Let’s explore what Somatic Abolitionism is, why it’s essential for holistic well-being, and how it can help you manage stress as well as thrive in every aspect of life as a leader.

Continue on to Somatic Abolitionism to learn more.

Addressing trauma is important for many reasons, including:

• Mental Health: Unresolved trauma can lead to anxiety, depression, and emotional difficulties. By dealing with trauma, you can improve your emotional well-being and regain balance in life.
• Physical Health: Trauma can cause stress in the body, leading to physical issues like chronic pain, heart problems, and other illnesses. Healing trauma helps reduce the risk of these conditions.
• Relationships: Trauma can make it difficult to connect with others. When you address your trauma, you can improve how you relate to people and build healthier relationships.
• Breaking the Cycle: When left untreated, trauma can negatively affect you, those around you, and future generations. Healing yourself helps stop trauma from being passed down.
• Resilience: Facing and healing trauma makes you stronger and better equipped to handle future challenges with confidence.

Overcoming trauma is crucial for overall well-being, as it soothes and lessens the negative impact on mental, emotional, and physical health. Doing so also falls under the heading of restorative self-care.

Where much of our focus is centered on the mind—problem-solving, planning, and intellectual engagement—it is easy to become disconnected from the body’s innate wisdom. The body holds the key to deeper healing, resilience, and clarity, particularly in moments of stress or challenge. This is why developing a practice that emphasizes embodiment is crucial.

The Practice, as I call it, serves a three-prong purpose.

1. Calming and Centering: You experience a centeredness that integrates your body, mind, and spirit. This inner calm helps you manage stress and anxiety, which is essential whether you’re transitioning into a leadership role or already operating at high levels of responsibility.
2. Addressing Trauma: Whether you’ve experienced trauma directly, witnessed it, or inherited it from your ancestors, The Practice offers a pathway for processing and healing these wounds.
3. Restorative Self-Care: Engaging in this practice cares for your whole being. It allows you to face life’s challenges with grace and poise, even in the most difficult moments.

You can incorporate The Practice into your daily meditation or whenever you feel a sense of disconnect. Or simply need to prepare yourself to connect.