STRESS GETTING HEAVY???

The next time you enter a crowded lift make sure you stand facing the back wall. Deliberately look each person in the eye and say, "Good morning/ afternoon, how are you?" The next time the postman stops at your letter box, deliberately stand in front of him or her and say, "Can I get you a tea or coffee?" Visit the local retirement village dining room and take a few whoopee cushions with you. Discreetly inflate and slip the cushion under them as they sit down for afternoon tea. When they turn around, talk about how bad the bullfrog problem is in the village.................           Ok ok maybe not.........but what about these ideas?   Educate yourself on ways to change your lifestyle to reduce stress. Knowledge is powerful! Add 4 drops of lavender to a hot bath, but make sure you bring the TV into the bathroom and catch a good comedian. Just let it go! One of the best stress busters is 'forgiveness'. Recognize that what goes around comes around. Yes it will eventually catch up with them sooner or later, just don't give yourself an ulcer its not worth it. Work up a sweat. Punch into a punching bag, run or cycle fast. It has to be high intensity but it will lower your stress levels. Sing at the top of your voice; in the shower or in the car is a good place to start. Make sure you take some deep breaths and make it a happy feel good song not a sad blues. This allows extra oxygen into your grey matter a bit like yawning. Gulp down a couple of large glasses of filtered water, then splash some in your face. Being dehydrated can cause headaches and brain fog, but extra water is a good tonic. Smile. Thats right, next time you are confronted by a stressed out human, flex the face muscles in a sincere kind way and see how the situation becomes less toxic. Focus on one day at a time. Try not to live life in your tomorrow or yesterdays. Each day has enough challenges of its own. Try and relax and visualize a positive outcome to your day whilst refusing to worry. I know it's hard but just try it!

Stress Busters at Work Next time you go to work stop to listen to your thoughts on how you are feeling about your work. When a negative thought comes deliberately add something positive by simply finding something to be thankful about. Then observe your breathing. As you breath in imagine good energy and vitality filling your body. As you breath out imagine anger, stress and judgements leaving your body. Is your work station cluttered or are there piles and pile of papers and books lying around you? Focus on clearing the clutter. Think about your posture. How are you sitting at your desk? Is your chair the correct height? You should be able to hold your shoulders back and down whilst sitting forward on your chair. If not adjust your chair height. Slouching forward over a flat surface brings about unnatural strain on the upper back and neck muscles. Using a computer mouse for long periods may cause forearm extensor muscles to be in spasm  and this will refer up to the shoulder and neck eventually causing a  tension headache. To stretch spend a few minutes each hour trying to touch fingers of each hand behind your back.  Add in some shoulder roles and regular drinks of water to reduce this tension.

How do you see yourself?                              What things are you telling yourself?                                 We often see ourselves in a certain way because of things we were told.                        Things we were told can become our negative 'self talk'.                        This kitten sees a lion in the mirror.                        To get a new self image is like breaking out of a huge rut.                               _______________________________________________________                                 _____________________________________________

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