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Time-out
Everyday we are bombarded with information in the form of e-mails, SMSs, mobile phone calls and bad news in the media. To avoid information overload you have to take some time out every day to just sit quietly and practice deep breathing. Switch off your mobile phone, computer or TV, close the office or the bedroom door and sit quietly for a few minutes, letting your thoughts flow. Better still, get out into the open air – eat your lunch in a park or just sit in your garden and leave your worries and your mobile phone behind you.
Repeat after me…aumm
Developed by Dr Herbert Benson, the Relaxation Response works on the premise that “faith quiets the mind like no other form of belief”. When you feel stress starting to overwhelm you, go somewhere quiet and do the following for 10 to 15 minutes:
Close your eyes and, breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, repeat a neutral word or mantra such as “one” for several minutes. (You say the mantra as you exhale). If you are of a particular faith, you can repeat a word or phrase that has meaning to you. If stray stressful thoughts intrude on your chanting, acknowledge them and gently release them, refocusing on your mantra.
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Remember Jim Carey’s morning mirror tactics in The Truman Show? Now it’s your turn to motivate yourself with a daily mirror pep talk. After you’ve shaved your face or brushed your teeth, stand up straight in front of the bathroom mirror, puff out your chest and contemplate the day ahead. Love what you see in the mirror, this is you and you’re going to make today a success. Make up your own mirror mantra to repeat. Try something like, “Hello world, this is THE day” or “Carpe diem – seize the day” or what about “Today is MY day”?
Cry, baby
If you feel sad or frustrated, go somewhere private and just let it all out. Crying is very therapeutic, and by letting the tears flow freely, you are opening up your chest and diaphragm, releasing pent-up energy that, in turn, takes muscular strain off your heart. A good sob allows more efficient oxygen delivery to the cells and also stimulates the release of relaxing neurochemicals in the brain.
Laugh out loud
Crying out loud is not the only thing that is good for you. Laughter truly is the best medicine. If you’re in the midst of a stressful period, rent a funny video, read the jokes your friends e-mail you or go to a comedy show. Fun board games can also be a barrel of laughs.
Everyday we are bombarded with information in the form of e-mails, SMSs, mobile phone calls and bad news in the media. To avoid information overload you have to take some time out every day to just sit quietly and practice deep breathing. Switch off your mobile phone, computer or TV, close the office or the bedroom door and sit quietly for a few minutes, letting your thoughts flow. Better still, get out into the open air – eat your lunch in a park or just sit in your garden and leave your worries and your mobile phone behind you.
Repeat after me…aumm
Developed by Dr Herbert Benson, the Relaxation Response works on the premise that “faith quiets the mind like no other form of belief”. When you feel stress starting to overwhelm you, go somewhere quiet and do the following for 10 to 15 minutes:
Close your eyes and, breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, repeat a neutral word or mantra such as “one” for several minutes. (You say the mantra as you exhale). If you are of a particular faith, you can repeat a word or phrase that has meaning to you. If stray stressful thoughts intrude on your chanting, acknowledge them and gently release them, refocusing on your mantra.
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Remember Jim Carey’s morning mirror tactics in The Truman Show? Now it’s your turn to motivate yourself with a daily mirror pep talk. After you’ve shaved your face or brushed your teeth, stand up straight in front of the bathroom mirror, puff out your chest and contemplate the day ahead. Love what you see in the mirror, this is you and you’re going to make today a success. Make up your own mirror mantra to repeat. Try something like, “Hello world, this is THE day” or “Carpe diem – seize the day” or what about “Today is MY day”?
Cry, baby
If you feel sad or frustrated, go somewhere private and just let it all out. Crying is very therapeutic, and by letting the tears flow freely, you are opening up your chest and diaphragm, releasing pent-up energy that, in turn, takes muscular strain off your heart. A good sob allows more efficient oxygen delivery to the cells and also stimulates the release of relaxing neurochemicals in the brain.
Laugh out loud
Crying out loud is not the only thing that is good for you. Laughter truly is the best medicine. If you’re in the midst of a stressful period, rent a funny video, read the jokes your friends e-mail you or go to a comedy show. Fun board games can also be a barrel of laughs.
