• Reduce physical symptoms, including headache, back pain and high blood pressure
• Reduce anger and frustration
• Increase energy levels
• Improve concentration and ability to solve problems
• Increase efficiency
• Relaxation has been found to beneficial for many ailments, including allergies, asthma, depression and anxiety, arthritis, carpel tunnel syndrome, insomnia, fibromyalgia and many more.

   The following strategies may seem familiar to you as I have most of them posted in my studio, but I think it's always good to take a new look at good information.

• Schedule a massage:  for obvious reasons this is a good one!  Even better schedule a regular appointment to keep it consistent and reap more of its benefits.
• Start Small:  Don't overwhelm yourself with big changes.  Alter one small thing a t a time.  Like a morning stretching habit or a food choice, these small things will add up over time and create the intentional life you crave.
• Write it out:  Pick up a pen and write down your thoughts.  Write down goals, make lists, write down those things that bring you joy, and finally get out negative feelings by writing them down.  Lists and goals will help keep you organized and working on your priorities.  Take stock in the things that bring you joy and make sure you are having those things in your life.  Throw out the negatives and things that drain you.
• Try a Mini-meditation:  memorize a 3 to 5 word phrase that will you back to center when you need it.  Phrases such as "I am strong" or "God or Spirit will guide me" can be repeated quietly to yourself to help you refocus on what is important.  Sometimes saying funny things that make you giggle will de-stress the moment immediately.
• Love your commute:  See your travel time as a chance to cultivate patience and compassion.  If you can use calming breaths to stay relaxed and unruffled in traffic, you can handle anything.
• Connect:  Put love and friendship first in your life, scheduling dates with others as you would doctor's appointments.  Connections may help improve heart health, prompt the release of the stress relieving hormone oxytocin, and allow you to sidestep the health risks of isolation.  While you're at it, get a pet - you might further reduce stress and ease depression.
• Walk Softly:   When we are stressed, we tend to hit the floor hard with every step.  A common practice in Tai Chi is to imagine you are stepping on rice paper.  Walk softly and unplug through your feet and you will find yourself calming down to a more tranquil mental place.
• Practice Gratitude:  It's hard to feel gratitude and stress at the same time.  Devote 5 minutes a day to giving thanks for all the gifts in your life.
• Exercise regularly, even if it's just a morning walk:   Any fitness regimen scheduled in the AM will be easier to stick to, since it will happen before the day gets hectic.
• Laugh:  Find a website, comedian, comics, or "whatever" that makes you giggle and refer to it often.

Practice one or two things daily and watch your stress levels dissolve!  Peace!