Stress has become synonymous with life in the 21st century. All pervasive and a part of every life, more and more of us are allowing it to take over the peaceful side of us, leaving us drained, tired, sore, awake through the night and visiting Doctors more frequently. The more we neglect it, the worse it gets. And what’s worse is that too many of us lead too busy a lifestyle to even find time to relax.
We’ve all read about good stress and bad stress and the need to maintain a balance, but that was years ago. Today all I see are victims of bad stress, people who are depressed, anxious, tired, worried, aching and simple too weary to make that conscious decision to minimize the bad stress in our lives.
“Where’s the time?” my clients wail when I look at their cards and gently remind them to attend to their growing stress related ailments. I look into their eyes and I recognize myself on days when I too struggle to bring structure and peace into a daily routine, balancing work and family and the demands of a child that’s entered into his ‘terrible two’s”
During those stressful moments when I feel like I’m being pulled into various directions, I have found by taking out a few minutes the stress levels come down considerably.
Here are a few time tested tips which have worked:
Practice pranic breathing for 3-4 minutes. The simple act of inhaling and exhaling deeply and slowly will instantly relax you and help clear the cloudiness in the mind.
Bottling feelings only worsens stress. Call a loved one or buddy for a quick heart to heart. Even writing can help alleviate the stress but if you’re fighting time why not jot down a few points about what is stressing you. Chances are high that once you’ve expressed yourself, you’ll feel a whole lot lighter and clearer.
Listening to your favourite music, chants or instrumental music immediately lowers blood pressure levels. Make music a part of your daily routine. And if you are nowhere near your IPod or the Radio, sing your blues away!
Lavender, Lemon and Jasmine help alleviate stress levels instantly. Use it in incense form or dab a drop of essential oil on your pulse points. You’ll find your body slowly responding to their soothing smell.
Sometimes the closed environment of the office or home can amplify the building stress, I’ve found by just stepping outside, even if it’s to the balcony or taking a short walk outdoors immediately changes my perception and literally clears out the clutter in the mind.
Mita Bhan
