Cures for Stress
| Published: 22nd April 2008 21:50 |
The cures - lifestyle modification/relaxation
Taking time out of your busy schedule is essential if you are to maintain a sense of balance and well being. Rushing around frantically without a break or burning the midnight oil to get everything done, is counter-productive. If you want to achieve success in your endeavours, taking five or ten minutes out every 60-90 minutes will help you to recharge your batteries and approach the task with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
Planning your day and setting realistic targets are the cornerstone to avoiding stress. Whether in a work or home environment, trying to fit too much into the day will only leave you feeling frazzled and irritable, building up your stress levels unnecessarily. Taking time out for relaxation, fun and enjoying life will make you far more productive and nice to be around.
There are many ways in which we can alleviate stress, so why not try at least one of the suggestions listed below and notice the difference:
• Take regular exercise, even if only for 5 minutes a day to start off with. This releases endorphins which will make you feel good, and give you lots more energy.
• Treat yourself to an Aromatherapy massage or use the oils at home. This will help you to feel more relaxed and calm.
• Try this 5-minute meditation any time of the day. Find a quiet place and sit comfortably. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Think about a place where you feel calm, happy, relaxed - this might be on a beach, in the countryside, by a stream, a room in your home where no one disturbs you.
Look around this place and get a clear image of all that you can see. Listen for the sounds that you can hear - running water perhaps, a gentle breeze playing in the trees, or maybe there is complete silence. Absorb the feelings of calm relaxation as you enjoy being at rest in your favourite place. Spend a few minutes enjoying this experience and when you are ready, slowly bring yourself back to the here and now, knowing that you can return to your favourite place whenever you want to, and slowly open your eyes.
• Diet - a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables will ensure that your body is capable of withstanding all that life can throw at it, including many common ailments.
• Massage is an effective way of clearing your mind, body and soul of unwanted clutter. You can either massage yourself or ask someone else to massage you. There are some good books on the market that provide you with the basics in massage, and the atmosphere and oils that can make it a very special and relaxing experience. You can even buy a kit that includes everything you need.
• Laughter/smiling - this can make you feel good at any time. Even if you don't feel happy or think you have anything to laugh at, fake it 'til you make it! A good belly laugh will do wonders for you, so put on a DVD of your favourite comedian, read a funny story, watch a TV comedy, have fun with your family. Or simply think of something funny and start to smile, then allow a small laugh or giggle to develop until you are laughing out loud. Sounds potty but you will feel so much better afterwards!
• Restful sleep is essential if you are to have energy and mental clarity during the day. Go to bed at a reasonable time to ensure you get around 8 hours sleep, make sure your room is well aired and not too hot or cold and spend the last 30 minutes of your evening before bedtime winding down and relaxing (no TV or computer games!). These are just the basics and not a cure for serial insomniacs. But using this simple strategy will help most people to enjoy more restful and productive sleep.
• A few minutes of deep breathing can be done anywhere, anytime, and will help to calm frazzled nerves and clear your mind. Find a quiet spot if possible, and close your eyes. Breathe through your nose for a count of 3, making sure that you breathe from your abdomen not your chest. Hold for a count of 3 and then release for 3. Repeat 5 times, but stop if you feel dizzy.
• Playing music which cheers or soothes you will lift your spirits and put a smile on your face. If you have the space, engage in a touch of free dancing - brilliant exercise and wonderfully exhilarating!
Many thanks to Paula Heap from the Life Coaching Practice for this feature. Watch out for the final instalment of this range of features on stress, which will focus on prevention of stress and include a stress test for you to take.
If you feel that massage would help reduce your stress levels, AboutMyArea (BB4 & BL0) recommends Harmonistic Therapy. Offering a range of treatments that can be tailored to your individual needs, Harmonistic Therapy can help reduce your stress levels.
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