8/5/09

Get rid of Stress




It’s a crazy and hectic world in which we live! It may seem that there’s nothing you can do about your stress level. The bills aren’t going to stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day for all your errands, and your career or family responsibilities will always be demanding. But you have a lot more control than you might think. In fact, the simple realization that you’re in control of your life is the foundation of stress management.

Managing stress is all about taking charge: taking charge of your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, your environment, and the way you deal with problems. The ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun – plus the resilience to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on.

Beyond a take-charge approach and a positive attitude, you can reduce stress in your life by nurturing yourself. If you regularly make time for fun and relaxation, you’ll be in a better place to handle life’s stressors when they inevitably come.

Healthy ways to relax and recharge

There are a multitude of ways of dealing with stress. Some have been borrowed from other cultures and religions. The Hindus have yoga and the Japenese have zen. Both of these methods are excellent ways of relieving stress. Yoga is a method of stretching the muscles of various body parts as well as use of positions to relax various parts of the body. Zen is more of a psychological approach to relaxation. It emphasizes relaxing the body through meditation. It can be very effective at relieving stress, especially if practiced on a daily basis.

Get a Massage

Our body is like a car engine. To function properly, it needs all the essential parts to perform efficiently. All the parts are subject to wear and tear. In order to survive, our body needs to have a regular maintenance. With today high stress lifestyle, our bodies are always in demand to perform optimally. If you don't take care of your body, it will break down in many ways and leave you unable to perform your daily activities.

It's ironic that many people who own cars do remember to send their cars for regular maintenance. Some even wash their cars everyday and give them a good wax so that they look shiny and brand new. But when it comes to taking care of their own bodies, they've somehow forgotten it. So if your car deserves your care, don't you think your body deserves more?

Getting a massage in a regular basis is part of having a good health.If you're a busy professional with hectic work schedule, find time to pamper your body by giving it a massage therapy.A massage could help you get rid of stress and keep you going for a whole week of hectic workloads.




Get a healthy lifestyle

You can increase your resistance to stress by strengthening your physical health.

Exercise regularly.. Physical activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the effects of stress. Make time for at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times per week. Nothing beats aerobic exercise for releasing pent-up stress and tension.

Eat a healthy diet. Well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress, so be mindful of what you eat. Start your day right with breakfast, and keep your energy up and your mind clear with balanced, nutritious meals throughout the day.

Reduce caffeine and sugar. The temporary "highs" caffeine and sugar provide often end in with a crash in mood and energy. By reducing the amount of coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and sugar snacks in your diet, you’ll feel more relaxed and you’ll sleep better.

Get enough sleep. Adequate sleep fuels your mind, as well as your body. Feeling tired will increase your stress because it may cause you to think irrationally.



Other ways to relax are:

Go for a walk.
Spend time in nature.
Take a long bath.
Light scented candles
Savor a warm of tea.
Play with a pet.
Work in your garden.
Curl up with a good book.
Listen to music.
Watch a comedy

Statistics show that the most common cause of todays health problems is stress. Aside from improper diet and unhealthy life style, prolonged periods of stress subconsciously affect many systems of the human body.

Don’t get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that you forget to take care of your own needs. Nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury.Set aside relaxation time. Include rest and relaxation in your daily schedule. Don’t allow other obligations to encroach. This is your time to take a break from all responsibilities and recharge your batteries.

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