Quick Stress Reducing Tips

Excessive unmanaged stress can and does wreak havoc on the body, mind, and spirit. Running around all day without taking down time not only increases a person’s stress but it can cause illness. I believe that we do have at least fifteen minutes of down time every day for ourselves.

Ask yourself these questions. Why am I taking care of everybody else leaving no time for myself. Why do I run from home, to job, to picking up children, carpooling, arranging children’s social schedules leaving no down time for myself? The answer is you are the last priority on your “to do” list.

We are meant to have down time. Down time gives a person time to think about their life. During down time we ask ourselves questions and we listen for answers. Down time gives us a much needed rest. Having a reasonable amount of quality down time every day written down in a Day Timers just like you would write down an important meeting on the calendar, is a must for your health and for your well-being. Without it you run the risk of increasing your stress.

Quick stress reducing tips.
Breathing- Close your eyes. Gently, put your attention on your breath. Mentally, follow the air in through your nose and down your throat warming your body. Exhale slowly. When your mind wanders, bring your attention back to your breath. Do this anytime, at your desk, at home for 1-3 minutes. Then relax naturally.

Meditation-Close your eyes. Breathe. Follow the breath, inhaling, exhaling, slowly, telling yourself to relax. Let the word “Relax,” come into your mind. The word Relax will drift out of your mind and in again. Effortlessly say Relax, Release. Relax, Release. Relax, Release. Meditate for 15 minutes to 20 minutes one time a day. Slowly, bring yourself out of meditation taking from 3-5 minutes.

A Progressive Relaxation-Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Begin breathing, inhaling, exhaling, gently and with awareness. Begin with the bottom of your feet. Tighten, and then relax your feet. Move your attention up your body to your legs, belly, buttocks, neck, shoulders, arms, face, gently tightening, holding for a few seconds, and then releasing. Sit quietly. Take from 3-5 minutes, and slowly open your eyes.

Love, Healing, Light and Many Blessings.

Ruth Starseed

http://www.RelaxationInternational.com

www.Facebook.com/RuthStarseed

 

A Walking Lunch. Put Yourself in Your Day

As I child I loved playing outdoors. Playing was more important than coming in for dinner. Doing homework-forget it! I wanted to play and play, and play some more. Hide and seek, football, baseball, pinky ball against the wall; riding my bike-anything but coming in to the house and buckling down to do homework. I loved to play and take time for me. At ten years old, I had no problem putting myself first in my day. Now, as an adult, I have to be reminded to put myself in my day and play. I know it is best not to wait until the doctor says slow down, do some stress management technique, walk, swim, Pilates, tennis, yoga-there is no shortage of ways to get active and have fun and play. Too often, however, we put ourselves last or not at all in our day. We work through lunch or eat at our desk typing away at the computer and answering phones. When asked, “Can we make this a working lunch?” It is frowned upon to say no. We continue to work.

Next time you are asked to work through lunch ask, “How about making it a Walking Lunch? Or a lunch where we meditate together and catch a cat nap? (Which is often what meditation turns in to for most tired people; it really is wonderful to rest and even sleep in meditation. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!)

Most of us make time for everyone and everything else. The dog needs a walk, food, water, a vet visit, a comfortable place to lie down. There is always something up with the kids or grand-kids. Then there is the house that needs repairing the lawn needs to be mowed-endless chores. Everything and everyone else comes first.

How do you get yourself in to your day; not your significant other’s day, or your child’s day, or friend’s day, but your day? (What a concept?) The question I ask myself every day, is how can I make sure that I do something special just for me, every day? If you are at home or at work make it a walking lunch break day. Go for a walk for 15 minutes. On the walk, take in deep conscious breathes, inhaling and exhaling. Swing your arms high like a soldier. Movement oxygenates and stretches the body. I guarantee you that when you return to your desk you will feel better, more balanced, and tuned in to the voice of your intuition directing you towards a more balanced healed and whole life.

Love, Light, Healing and Many Blessings,

Ruth Starseed
http://www.RelaxationInternational.com

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