It is very true that, unfortunately, many people look to reduce feelings of worry and stress by doing the very things that, ultimately, bring on more of the same. Alcohol, drugs, and over indulgence in the wrong types of food all seem to offer an immediate solution to get away from the stresses of the day.
Now, I am not condemning sensible drinking or occasionally eating the 'wrong' type of food as a rare treat but the daily ingestion of such substances simply leads to poor health and a whole host of related negativity.
The question, though, is what are the alternatives? How can I relax and unwind without a few drinks?
The truth of the matter is this. A real, instantly accessible, answer is within you and you do it each day without even thinking about it. If you learn to harness this inner power you will, literally, have a way of eliminating stress, or at least greatly reducing it, without the need for things that are bad for you.
What is this 'inner power' I hear you cry! Very simply, it is your breath!
By learning a few simple exercises you can go a long way to beating stress while feeling healthier and more positive. If you perform repetitive actions such as deep breathing exercises then this helps in blocking out stressful thoughts. The more you repeat the activity and become proficient at it the easier it will be to unwind.
For an example of such an exercise try the one below for five minutes and feel how it aids in relaxation and reduces feelings of stress and worry.
1. Sit comfortably with your back straight. Place your hands on a table or desk in front of you.
2. From this position inhale until you feel you are full of air. As you do this I want you to imagine you are pulling a white pure light into your abdomen.
3. On completion of the inhalation hold this white light for a second (at most) in your abdomen then exhale.
4. Repeat five times slowly. This is the first step.
5. Now lets advance this! Do the same as above and have the white light in your abdomen area.
6. This time though do not simply exhale. Instead, as you exhale, imagine this white light spreading from your abdomen throughout your entire body. As it spreads into your legs, feet, chest and head allow it to soothe and relax your major body parts.
7. Do this at least five times slowly. This requires a slow exhale to allow time for you to visualise this pure, relaxing, white light time to spread throughout your whole being. Feel your muscles (and mind) loose any unnecessary tension.
Try this right now.
Give yourself five minutes to experience how just your controlled breath can really make a difference. At the end of each day perform this for five to ten minutes. Not only will it help tension to melt from your mind it will also benefit your health through your deep focused breathing gently massaging your internal organs.
Have at it!
? Tim Webb 2005
Tim Webb is a fitness instructor, Ju Jutsu instructor and competitor. He specialises in easily accessible deep breathing exercises that combine breath and mind together. His site http://www.breathforsuccess.com/ offers a product that provides deep breathing exercises for invigorating yourself, relaxing, and highlights how your breath can be tied in with your goals to move you towards them in record time!
apartment cleaning near Highland Park .."Watch your language."We all heard this admonition as kids and... Read More
Living in our world today can be very stressful. While... Read More
I once worked with a woman whose zest,joy and enthusiasm... Read More
Where does stress really come from? Is there any simple... Read More
If you've recently experienced loss or are going through a... Read More
Let's face it. If you are stressed, agitated and flitting... Read More
The Mask of "I've Got It All Together"It's so easy... Read More
"When you breathe, you inspire. When you do not breathe,... Read More
Seems like more and more they are all around us.... Read More
Author and speaker H. Stephen Glenn has said,"In terms of... Read More
Insomnia is usually the result of the modern way of... Read More
Q: "My career, though very very stressful, is one that... Read More
Why Stress Management programmes don't work?It seems that every week... Read More
To combat modern day stressors, you need to realize that... Read More
Everyone experiences stress at some point in their life. In... Read More
Workplace stress is on the rise and it's costing corporate... Read More
One of the hardest forms of stress to avoid is... Read More
The fall season signals a shift in most people's minds.... Read More
Everyone worries. As bothersome as it is, worry isn't all... Read More
* Play Romane's stress control seminar recordings, and read "The... Read More
The main problem in a down economy is that workplaces... Read More
Success in recovery, or rather, staying in recovery, is dependent... Read More
Do you have stress in your life?......I know you answered... Read More
We strive for excellence in our lives, going at full... Read More
"We do not stop playing because we grow old. We... Read More
cleaning lady near Arlington Heights ..Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour... Read More
Why is it that some people become totally stressed when... Read More
Q. I have just recently come to recognize that I... Read More
For those of you who have been living in a... Read More
Looking for some quick stress relief?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker,... Read More
1. The Mentor Method: think of your favorite person. Someone... Read More
Use these simple tips to minimize stress in your day... Read More
Feeling stressed? Who isn't!! In today's society, feeling "stressed out,"... Read More
David Bowie once sang, "Ch-ch-changes, tryin' to face the strain."And... Read More
Do you have stress in your life?......I know you answered... Read More
What part of no don't you understand? - Bumper stickerThe... Read More
Do you worry all the time?Do the following symptoms bother... Read More
Let's take a look at some of the more serious... Read More
My grandmother, a feisty and athletic woman in her younger... Read More
No need to go spend money at a spa! There... Read More
Something the successful business person needs is - lots of... Read More
Breathing is the vital force of life. It is considered... Read More
When we think about stress in the workplace, we usually... Read More
Stress is more than just unpleasant. It's dangerous. Try these... Read More
Do you feel stress at work? Do you carry your... Read More
I had the unpleasant experience of being pulled over the... Read More
As tools for change are discussed, one tool - that... Read More
Many of my readers write to me about the tensions... Read More
We are currently living in a capitalist society where money... Read More
Punch a pillowScream into a pillowTurn on your favorite music... Read More
Stress Management |