White Water Women: How Navigating the Rapids helps Women Handle Stress

    

                        

  The above pictures were photographed while white water rafting during one of our  recent Go Wild! Retreats in Costa Rica. (www.retreatscostarica.com)     Yes, our group of personal growth explorers  hit a boulder and survived! all amidst the power of a class 4 river.   "HUA!" we not only survived, we thrived with a new found confidence that is only found when you go outside of your personal comfort zone.   I only wish we had recorded the vocal howls in that raft on the Pacuare River as our team  braced for the jolt.   Lesson in Life:  Yes Women, when you see that really  big rock coming toward you, prepare for the guide  to scream rather than ask you politely  "Get down in the boat" . He or she is merely triggering your reflexes. It's also one of those few  occasions you can let out an acceptable primal scream and it feels really good! 

     What is your coping strategy in business and life when you hit a boulder or face one of Life's inevitable Rapids? It could be a minor bump in the road like a stalled project or career.  But maybe it's that life-altering change to your environment , like the end of a long-standing relationship or a sudden illness which hits you and your family like a volcanic eruption.

Learning how to handle life's Rapids , or worseTsunamis , isn't always easy or particularly graceful. The test often comes when we're under the greatest  pressure and not at our personal best.   Life changes ,like the death of a loved one, divorce, empty nest, career changes all count as examples of those  boulder transition times in which we need our "best thinking at our worst time".  How unfair is that?  Here's a scary thought:  Did you know that when you are angry or in an emotionally charged state, you lose 50% brainpower? Not ideal conditions , I'm sure you will agree, for good and calm decision making.  So how can you develop problem solving and stress management skills when you're not in crisis?  Courses in Problem Solving and Stress Management can certainly increase your Psychological Hardiness or maybe you just need to join Proud Mary and go "Rolling on The River".   

White Water rafting has many lessons in business and life survival for Women, which is why it's a part of our curriculum at Retreats Costa Rica.  Learning how to read the river, adapt to changing conditions, learning the art of clear and assertive communication with others and always maintaining a positive mental attitude are just part of it.    You also learn that the best time to enjoy the river and really appreciate the scenery is when the water is almost completely still.  Yes, It's during those blessed moments on a calm river, that awareness and peace are found (On the River and In Life) . Trust me when you're in the midst of a racing rapid--- you're body amped up with adrenaline, you're not looking and certainly not appreciating  the beauty of the water birds.  Just as in life, life when you're running around like a maniac, it's easy to lose site of what's most important in life.

So what are you waiting for?  Prepare for life's inevitable flow and  movement.  My Summer RX for Stress: -Let a River Run through you and see what an amazing force of nature you can be.  As you experience the rapids, let nature be your classroom.

October 20th - October 27th:  Rain forest Butterflies Women's Retreat in Costa Rica---A Retreat and Life-Lift for Mind, Body and Spirit amidst the tropical beauty of Costa Rica.  write Rosemary@retreatscostarica.com or visit www.retreatscostarica.com for the retreat itinerary. We have an amazing group of women attending.