Ways to De-Stress

Are you stressed? Don’t worry, most people are-especially living through these times of tremendous shift and change. So what can you do about it? Of course the natural response would be to tell someone to relax…but that’s not always as easy as it sounds. Some people turn to drugs and alcohol, which are unhealthy. Others choose to escape through food and television. Most people need some sort of tool to help them reach a relaxed state. . Let’s discuss some healthier choices…
One of the most time-honored and talked about ways to relax is through meditation. Look for a meditation group or try a guided meditation CD. Jack Kornfield’s DVD Meditation For Beginners is a “complete video introduction to the inner art of meditation.” Massage and Reiki are other ways to become relaxed and focused in the “here and now.” A local practitioner should be able to help you with this. Another simple way to detach from the busy world and only takes a few minutes of your day, is with paraliminal recordings. A nice one is the paraliminal CD, Happy For No Reason by Marci Shimoff and Paul R. Scheele. This CD will help you live to your fullest potential through a unique blend of music, words, and technology. This Holosync technology is one of the fastest ways to get into a meditative state.
If you have a more active personality, perhaps your tool for de-stressing could be some type of exercise. Head to the gym, find an exercise class of interest, start walking, biking, dancing or swimming. Yoga is another great de-stressor and great for centering yourself. If you would like to start learning at home, you may like Yoga Shakti with Shiva Rea. Using this cutting-edge DVD technology, you create your own, personalized yoga practice that progresses with you. If you are up for the “wildest workout of your life”, let your soul dance up a sweat with Chantal Pierrat’s DVD: SoulSweat Hot Moves-World Grooves “an exhilarating dance workout for body and spirit.”
Sometimes, all you really need is to take time for yourself. Get a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure, take a nice long bath or read that book you’ve been meaning to get to. Speaking of books, Cheryl Richardson’s The Art of Extreme Self-Care, is a great book to “transform your life one month at a time.” It is all about giving yourself permission to dramatically upgrade your life. Laughter is another great way to release stress. Watch a comedy channel or rent movies that cause those deep belly laughs. If you are stressed and worried about your weight, start reading Loretta LaRoche’s humorous and informative book Lighten Up! This book is an “authentic and fun way to lose your weight and your worries.” If you have a stressed-out dog, you may want to read Through a Dog’s Ear by Joshua Leeds & Susan Wagner, DVM, MS., “using sound to improve the health and behavior of your canine companion.” It comes with a music CD clinically demonstrated to calm you dog. (The relaxing piano music may calm you as an added bonus.) Another way of caring for yourself is to “enjoy a break from the warp speed of modern living and create a home sanctuary” with Sharon Salzberg’s interactive kit Unplug. You can use the strategies provided in th is kit for an hour, a day, or a weekend.
Steven Gurgevich, Ph.D. has self-hypnosis programs for health and well-being. His audio CDs Relax Rx “is a sure-fire way to ease the stress and anxiety of everyday life, whenever and wherever you choose.” His other CD, Relieve Anxiety with Medical Hypnosis will “tap the power of your subconscious and help you overcome worry, nervousness, panic and more. Dr. Gurgevich explains the physiology of anxiety, and how to effectively use medical hypnosis to “unlearn” stressful psychological and behavioral patterns.”
A frequent problem seen with people who are stressed is difficulty falling or staying asleep. A safer alternative to sleep medications is “the hormone of darkness” melatonin. Melatonin is normally secreted by the pineal gland at the onset of evening. However, in our world of artificial lighting, many people are not producing enough melatonin and could benefit from taking a melatonin supplement. Aromatherapy also offers help for relaxation and sleep. Lavender is often the most common ingredient in dream pillows and aromatic sprays. It can be sprayed in your room or on your pillow for a more restful sleep. And speaking of botanicals, remember that there are many calming teas available, with chamomile being the most common for aiding in a restful sleep..
One more tool for relaxation, meditation, deeper sleep and a calming bath is the Zen Master StirWand. Learn more about this fascinating tool at www.quantumagewater.info
We have discussed many ways to de-stress, and hopefully the information presented here was just what you were looking for! The key is to keep trying different tools until you find the combination that works best for you.
These tools and more can be found on my website: www.rainbowsinharmony.com