Matters of the Heart
This simple, nostalgic dessert with whipped cream and cookie layers is perfect for warm weather and can even be made early for an easy weeknight treat. NO-BAKE ICEBOX CAKE
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
Turning off a dripping faucet is easier than plugging a leak after water pressure has built up. When dealing with high-stress situations, emotional intelligence can help us recognize and manage our feelings before we flood. It gives us the tools to notice what’s coming, name the root feeling, and shift our response before it carries us away. While we may not be able to turn a level 10 stressor into a carefree feeling of a day at the beach, with self-awareness, we can turn the intensity down enough to handle it more effectively. Stress doesn’t just manifest itself as a feeling; it also physically appears in symptoms like a higher heart rate, elevations in blood pressure, dry mouth, and trembling hands. The amygdala, a key player in our brain’s emotional processing center, releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline when it perceives a threat. But that same pathway between our physical and emotional selves also holds the key to calming it down. If we recognize our stress triggers before they occur, like understanding how an upcoming public speaking event will make us anxious, we can turn to tools and techniques to de-escalate the stress and respond intelligently rather than acting on autopilot. It starts with identifying what is emotionally disturbing to you. Understanding where the stress comes from allows you to replace negative responses with productive ones. That’s when you can use the gateway between your frontal lobe and executive function to influence your subconscious. Breathing techniques are one of the best ways to release stress hormones and create a biofeedback loop. We often use box breathing, where you breathe slowly through your nose for five seconds, hold for five seconds, release for five seconds, and repeat 5–10 times, telling your brain you are safe. The cyclic sigh is also very powerful and is considered one of the most potent techniques to calm your nerves. First, inhale through your nose, take a second, deeper breath to expand your lungs, and then slowly exhale through your mouth, repeating the exercise for at least five minutes. Using Emotional Intelligence to Catch Stress Early
I ngredients • 3 cups heavy cream • 1/3 cup powdered sugar • 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 (9-oz) package chocolate wafer cookies • 1/2 cup chocolate shavings or cocoa powder (optional)
D irections 1. Line an 8x4-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, allowing it to hang over the sides. 2. In a mixing bowl, whip cream, sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. 3. Spread a small amount of mixture in the loaf pan and layer cookies in a single layer on top. 4. Continue layering whipped cream and cookies, finishing with cream on top. 5. Cover with plastic and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight, until cookies soften. 6. To serve, uncover and invert on a plate. Dust with chocolate shavings or cocoa powder, if desired.
“Summertime is always the best of what might be.” –C harles B owden
You can’t completely eliminate stress, but with emotional intelligence and the proper breathing techniques, you can change your relationship to it.
–Shelia Manely
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