Do you feel that you just don't have the time to properly de-stress each day? The good news is you can incorporate simple stress busting routines into all that you do!
Stretch those muscles!
Lean your right ear down to your right shoulder and stretch the left side of your neck as you do. Now, switch sides and do the other side. Now, look down and drop your chin towards your chest. Now slowly, let your head roll to the right and then to the left. Repeat slowly until you feel yourself loosen up.
You can do this same exercise for your shoulders, too. Try a few shoulder circles, as well. This is simple to do and when you take the time to do these several times a day, your range of motion will increase and you'll feel considerably more relaxed.
Enjoy a relaxing massage
Treat yourself to a professional therapist massage and be sure to ask for a calming essential oil such as lavender or chamomile. Buy yourself some of the same oil to take home, and when you're having a stressful moment, put a few drops of oil onto your tissue or pillowcase and then just breathe into it deeply. You can also use some of the oil to be infused into the air with a diffuser. Just smelling the oil will relax you even if you don't get to have a massage!
Wear a Smile
Always begin your day with a broad smile on your face. Purpose in your heart to be lighthearted on this day and every time you see someone pass them a big, sincere smile. You will be surprised how easily this action will affect your mood.
Share in a good joke or two and try to make someone else laugh. Feeling lighthearted is a good thing! Just ask Martha Stewart!
That Small Inner Voice -- Talk to yourself
Gently close your eyes and repeat positive affirmations. Tell yourself over and over what you want to believe to be true, such as: 'I am calm' or 'I am confident and sure?' Keep in mind that what you believe to be true will be felt by your body!
In Support of Good Posture
Take in a few, good deep breaths as you sit up very tall. Put your feet flat on the floor. At the same time angle your thighs slightly toward the floor, arch in your lower back slightly, gently push your sternum (chest bone) back and then relax your shoulders.
Take in another good deep breath and hold your position for a minute or two. Don't allow your posture to slouch at all during this time - hold your position upright and support your good posture.
As your good posture continues to align, you will relieve all muscle tension. Do this exercise twice daily and you will find yourself naturally supporting your good posture each day.
Have Some Fresh Air and Take a Brisk Walk
If you must be indoors most of your day, taking a break to breathe in pure air and to exercise your limbs will be an instant refresher. Doing this will give you back good concentration and you will feel more limber.
Spend only 20 to 30 minutes each day taking in fresh air and walking and you will improve both physically and mentally. If you have a dog, take them along with you. They need to be refreshed just as you do.
Take up a Relaxing Hobby
Spend an afternoon at your local craft store and select a new hobby. A good hobby that really interests you will breathe new life into your day. You will be more relaxed and enjoy having a new interest. Whether you choose painting, playing an instrument, knitting, or even kite flying, choose something that will encourage calm and serenity.
Try a Relaxing Form of Eastern Meditation such as Tai Chi
Take time to focus from within and you will cultivate a spirit of self control over the anxiety-ridden external world.
Take a good book to bed with you each night and spend 30 minutes relaxing before you turn out the light. This will be calming and as you close yours eyes each night remind yourself of your many blessings.
Give Lots of Hugs and Kisses Daily
Even on your busiest days, stop and hug and kiss someone who is special to you. Your children, especially, need to know how much they mean to you. A show of affection will go a long way.
Spend time each day with a beloved pet. Studies have shown that when we care for a pet we release anxiety and tension, naturally.
Spend quality time with your loved one. Remember those special times with your spouse before the children came along. Nurture moments with just the two of you and you will relax, naturally
Replace that Uncomfortable Office Chair with an Ab Ball
Next time you leave for your office, stop, first into a fitness store and buy an Ab Ball. This ball will allow your core muscles to have a great wake up call. Just sit on your Ab Ball and then bounce on the spot! You will feel instantly refreshed and your co-workers will want to do the same!
Just as it is time to take your lunch, first bounce on your Ab Ball to get your gastro-juices going! You will firm up your body in no time and best of all you will have fun!
Breathe in the Gift of Life
We can all go for weeks without a crumb of food, days at a time without water, but, we can only go for minutes without good, pure oxygen.
The average person breathes very shallowly and this makes it almost impossible to be relaxed.
Sit yourself down, purposefully, and take in a slow deep breath in through your nose until you have properly filled up your lungs.
Hold in the air in for a moment and then very slowly exhale through your lips. Breathe deeply in this way for 4 - 5 times, a few times a day.
You will feel instantly refreshed!
Listen to the Gift of Music
As much as possible, always set your mood with background mood music. Some like traditional blues, some like jazz. Try the newer nature sounds, so you can be working to background sounds of tin pans, flutes and ocean waves crashing on the beach. Whatever you choose, make sure it relaxes and does not energize you. There is a time to be energized and a time to relax. For relaxation, select the mood music over the rock and roll or the hip hop.
Whozylee Aris is the author of various health related articles. Find more free tips on how to relax and leave stress behind at his how to relieve stress website. Visit http://www.whozylee.com/stressrelief.html
Life is funny.Throughout the day, there are plenty of humorous... Read More
Let's face it! The majority of our time is either... Read More
My son was watching a Richard Scarry video this morning... Read More
1)Excessive worryNo, I'm not saying "don't worry, be happy."Well-used worry... Read More
It is no secret that stress and related disorders are... Read More
In a hectic world, it's all too easy to reach... Read More
If you're like most people, you have your bouts of... Read More
What would you say if I told you I know... Read More
Do you get frustrated with your spouse, your kids, your... Read More
Work related tensions, personal issues and abnormal lifestyles are the... Read More
Every woman needs her own personal space for relaxation, not... Read More
Tough leaders are usually seen as ogres. Their exacting demands... Read More
Q. I wonder if you could help me with a... Read More
When it is all said and done, do you feel... Read More
We all have it; we live with it daily: stress.... Read More
STRESS & TIME MANAGEMENT: Stress is either the source or... Read More
1. 5-minute rule. How many times do we say, "This... Read More
The right amount of stress can be good for you,... Read More
Life is so busy and as mothers we spend so... Read More
Worry, big or small blocks positive vibrations from entering your... Read More
You probably think I'm wacko, but it's true - stress... Read More
Elizabeth, 32, cried during anger management class as she told... Read More
Stressed? Relax Right Now with 5 Super-Simple Stress-BustersStressed-out? Don't know... Read More
Several studies, including one of medical students around exam time,... Read More
In the fast-paced world that we live in today, it... Read More
We function at our best when we are free from... Read More
This anger management Practice draws on the dual wisdom of... Read More
Here's a fun little experiment:Take a few seconds and look... Read More
The fall season signals a shift in most people's minds.... Read More
Managing stress is not easy if you don't have the... Read More
Ask a hundred different people how to deal with stress... Read More
1. Take a relaxing bath. Add music, candles and a... Read More
"Learn how to turn frustration into fascination. You will learn... Read More
One of the ways I have avoided a lot of... Read More
"When you breathe, you inspire. When you do not breathe,... Read More
Part 1: Recognize the importance of family stress managementJoe and... Read More
It's no secret that we women, by virtue of our... Read More
Think back a few years to the nine coal miners... Read More
To combat modern day stressors, you need to realize that... Read More
All stress comes from believing a thought that argues with... Read More
Stress is often seen as being unhealthy, but for some... Read More
Q: Someone told me that the Chinese symbol for crisis... Read More
Have you ever noticed what occurs when you are suddenly... Read More
The fall season signals a shift in most people's minds.... Read More
When Army leaders fail to control battlefield stress, they lose... Read More
Get at least 15 minutes of sunshine daily.Daily Exercise -... Read More
Rest.It's a good thing to do. As the story goes,... Read More
For those who are suffering from stress, just about the... Read More
Deadlines at work, demanding bosses, bills to be paid at... Read More
This anger management Practice draws on the dual wisdom of... Read More
In these times when companies are constantly down-sizing and right-sizing... Read More
I was a psychotherapist for... Read More
Who hasn't experienced "worry" at one time or another? Almost... Read More
Do you worry all the time?Do the following symptoms bother... Read More
As tools for change are discussed, one tool - that... Read More
One of my favorite stories about change is the story... Read More
What do you think of when you see that word?... Read More
Caring for a chronically ill loved one can be one... Read More
Modern stress is habitual, and is something that the vast... Read More
Have you ever said the words, "This job/my life is... Read More
Why is it that some people become totally stressed when... Read More
Picture the following scene:It's Sunday evening, the weekend is winding... Read More
I just got through reading some troubling news in the... Read More
Loneliness and separation are the real illness of our times.... Read More
Conceptualizing stress: Stress often has a negative connotation. Failure, illnesses,... Read More
It has long been suggested that "music soothes the savage... Read More
Stress Management |