Stress (short for dis-stress) arises when we can’t eliminate the negative emotions, feelings and thoughts that build up inside of us as a result of our reactions to daily events and relationships with others.

Learning to listen to and trust your intuition can help relieve the stress in your life if you will let it. We are all born intuitive because intuition is just another sense, like seeing, smelling or hearing. Accepting and acting on your intuition can involve a leap of faith on your part. But once you experience your intuition , you will then have the “knowing” that it works and no one can convince you otherwise.

Intuition is the deepest wisdom of your soul. It speaks to each one of us in many different ways. It may come as a “voice” in your head, a sound, word, picture or an insight. It can be an idea, inspiration , feeling or impression. It is a “knowing” that comes from the Spirit within us.

We have to get quiet and still to hear the intuitive voice and it usually gets lost in the hustle and bustle of daily life. Here are some ideas to help you develop a relationship with your intuition :

Keep an intuition journal. Just start by noticing experiences or thoughts that might be intuitive flashes. Try to write down 3 to 5 things everyday. Notice how your body feels. Did you have an “aha” moment, or was there a stirring in your stomach? Goose bumps? You will quickly learn how to recognize your own sense of intuition as you become more and more aware of it.

Notice reoccurring patterns. If you keep seeing a word or number or something keeps coming up, it may be your intuition trying to get your attention about something.

Try drawing or putting together a collage if the words won’t come. Sometimes intuition comes in symbols rather than words.

Your beliefs set the stage for bringing your intuition actively into your life. A positive attitude can only stimulate growth. A negative disbelieving attitude will block it.

Most of us live in our heads too much of the time and ignore the rest of the body. This is counter intuitive. Being aware of our bodies opens our intuition up to us.

Get quiet and still for a minimum of 5 minutes every day. Try to empty your mind. Concentrate on your breathing and just be at peace . Soon you will notice that throughout the day you are having little intuitive flashes. The more you practice getting quiet, the stronger the intuition becomes.

Don’t argue with your intuition. This is the hard one for me. I catch myself challenging my intuition often. As soon as I realize what I am doing, I immediately stop and just do what the intuition is telling me. It is always right.

Once you learn how your intuition communicates with you, it becomes easier and easier. It will take time, practice and patience to develop. But it is well worth the effort. When you have an ongoing relationship with your intuition, the stress in your life is reduced. You know that you have a source of positive assistance at anytime you need it. What could be more stress relieving than that?

Author's Bio: 

Susan Stewart is co-founder and partner of It's My Nature, an Aromatherapy business based in Florence, Oregon. Providing dried herbs, essential oils and many comfort and stress reducing products. Catering to the beginner with small sizes, recipes and an informative monthly newsletter. See It's My Nature's large, informative website at http://itsmynature.net or a free catalog is available by calling 1-888-445-5051.