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Good For You Tips For Treating Yourself The Way You Deserve |
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November 2008. Volume 1, Issue 3 | www.infiniteindulgence.com
Quick Ways
to Reduce Stress
Most of us have had times when we just couldn't seem to find
a minute for ourselves. Jobs, kids, home, friends, you name it all present
a steady stream of demands so we sometimes feel like we're on a treadmill
that's picking up speed.by Ann Karcich Here are three tips that we can use to help us refocus our energies. All of them only take a few minutes and can be done-- unobtrusively -- while stuck in traffic, standing in a checkout line or at home when we have a few minutes to take a break. Counted Breathing This technique helps us ground ourselves by focusing on our breath. By learning to be aware of and control our breath, we can learn to focus our mind and emotions. To practice this technique, choose a number (I use the number 4). While sitting or standing calmly, inhale for a count of 4, hold the breath of a count of 4, exhale for a count of 4 and finally hold for a count of 4 before repeating the sequence. After several sequences of counted breathing, many people report feeling calmer and less anxious. Being Present in the Moment By concentrating only on what we're thinking and feeling right now in this moment, we can gain perspective about our circumstances and emerge with a more positive sense of control. Forget about those regrets and disappointments from the past. We all have plenty of those. And calm any anxieties or fears about the future. To help emphasize 'the now', breathe normally and say silently "Here" as you inhale and "Now" as you exhale. After several repetitions, many people find that those annoying thoughts start to fade away.
Practicing Gratitude
To counteract this type of thinking, we'll want to think of
something that is going well for us. It may only be that two traffic lights
weren't red so we made it to work in time for an important meeting. Or
maybe our toddler put some of his toys away. Most of us have good things
going on in our lives -- a warm home, inspiring friends, fun pastimes --
that we take for granted. By concentrating on these and reminding ourselves
of what we can be thankful for, our spirits can be lifted and we'll be
better able to put life's stressors in perspective. |
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