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Ways To Zap Stress and Relax
1. Live in the present.
If you find yourself obsessing about the future or regretting what has happened in the past, try grounding yourself in the here and now. This is a method using your body. Start with a body part that touches the outside world, such as your hands. Look closely at the way your fingers curve around a pen, magazine, and paper; feel the slippery paper and the edges. Or become aware of how your feet feel. What you're doing is reminding yourself that life happens in present - and that you exist in the moment. Learn to experience the joy of living fully and entirely in the now.
2. Listen to your body.
It's an excellent barometer of stress. As you read this, move your jaw gently from side to side. Are your face muscles tense? Relax and breathe; soften the muscles and let go. Move your way down your body releasing your body muscles as much as possible. Go slowly, focusing on one area at a time. Where you find tension, release it and let the muscles rest.
3.Spend your energy wisely.
Energy like everything else in life is a limited resource. Think about this the next time you stand in a long grocery line, tapping your foot and grinding your teeth. Ask yourself: How much of my precious energy am I expending by being angry and impatient? Even if you could use your energy to make the clerk move faster or the customer get out of your way, what would you gain? One minute? Two? Is it worth it? You be the judge.
4. Slow down normal activity.
People under stress eat. They also drive, move and speak at a rapid pace. In reality, this acceleration saves very little time; any limited gains are quickly wiped out by mistakes, tension and illness. By slowing down you can actually calm the soul as well. How? Assess your behavior. Are you tripping over your own words because you're talking so quickly? Do you find yourself pushing others to make them move at a faster pace? Maybe it's time for a reality check. You may be generating a damaging level of anxiety, and causing stress in those around you. Remember the lesson of the tortoise and the hare: Slow and steady wins the race.
5. Make a joyful noise.
Music is one of the few activities that are processed simultaneously in separate areas of the brain. When you've had a bad day at work, turn on the radio and sing as you drive home. Singing forces you to breathe fully and the increased oxygen will do your body good. Of course, if you are singing songs of a spiritual or positive message, you get a bonus.
6. Consider what you eat.
Diet strongly affects moods, physical stamina and, most of all stress. People who are tense eat the wrong foods, don't eat at all or gobble their food in a rush. Savor each mouthful to give your brain time to register the fact that your hunger has been satisfied. Make sure you pay attention to what your body is telling you.
7. Sleep soundly.
Ever feel you could get a good night's sleep if you could turn off your brain? There are many reasons why the brain refuses to rest when the body needs sleep. Sometimes physical problems are the cause and medication is necessary. But the most common reason is that the mind has developed a bad habit. When stress forces the brain to run at high speed during the day, it has trouble turning off at night. Of course, getting upset over the inability to sleep ends up exacerbating the problem. The solution may be found in basic meditation techniques. One simple way to meditate is to think of a favorite word or phrase. Repeat it deliberately and slowly. If other thoughts interrupt your concentration, let them pass and then return to your repetition. Sleep will soon follow.
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What issues are you facing that I (or the readers) can assist you with?
Irene Martina
Email: irene@irenemartina.com
www.irenemartina.com
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