ecoPharmacist

Instant Stress Busters

The following are examples of instant stress busters, excerpted from Natural Superwoman, by Rosamond Richardson. In a world of go, go, go, these are great tips to remember. They can bring relief to mental, physical and emotional stresses. As always, remember to breathe when stress is present.

 

Slow down and take your time. Talk, walk or drive at a slower pace.

 

Call a friend for a long chat.

 

Escape mentally – read a book, watch a movie or be a sports spectator.

 

Keep a notebook on you and make lists: being organized is less stressful.

 

Smile. It relaxes the major facial muscles and releases serotonin from the brain and makes you fell better.

 

Stop thinking ‘must’ ‘should’ and ‘ought’ for at least an hour.

 

Sweat out your stress. Take some vigorous exercise class, or dance til you drop.

 

Write a list of all the essential things you have to do – then stick it on the fridge and leave it until tomorrow.

 

Look at some wonderful paintings, or paint one yourself.

 

Change into comfortable clothes.

 

Help someone. Be really nice to someone.

 

Get a massage or a pedicure.

 

Write a rage letter and don’t send it.

 

Find a safe place to cry. Crying restores the chemical balance of the body.

 

Drop perfectionism: it stresses you out.

 

Pet the dog or cat.

 

Shut the door on the world at least once a day to see you own needs: do some yoga or meditation.

 

Lie down with a hot wet flannel over your face.

 

Go away for a weekend.

 

Lie in a hot tub and add soothing essential oils to the water. Light a candle and dim the lights and breathe.

 

Turn off your mobile phone.

 

Sometimes doing nothing is the key to stress.

 

Express yourself: don’t maintain the stiff upper lip. And don;t lose your sense of humor.

 

Change your routine – have a beautiful bath mid afternoon.

 

Cancel your appointments and have a day off.

 

Collect inspirational quotations and stories and refer to them to lift your spirits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Week To Be Thankful

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, it definitely sets the mind to think about and reflect on the things that I am grateful for in my life. Consider today as the beginning of a week to be thankful for yourself too.

 

 

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”

 

Melody Beattie

 

 

To show people that you are grateful, you have to make it a habit to tell people thank you. It is so meaningful to express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. When you truly appreciate those around you, they will feel it and see it through your actions and energy. You will soon find many others around you, because the energy of gratitude that you express will draw more people to you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it to share with others. When you practice gratitude, you are practicing a sense of respect towards others. I think in this day and age, that dynamic needs much focus and attention.

 

 

 

“We need to regularly stop and take stock; to sit down and determine within ourselves which things are worth valuing and which things are not; which risks are worth the cost and which are not. Even the most confusing or hurtful aspects of life can be made more tolerable by clear seeing and by choice.”

 

~ Epictetus

 

 

Five Benefits of Meditation

Five Benefits of Meditation

 

Meditation is the practice of focusing and being aware of when your focus drifts. Meditation is being mindful through repetition, focusing on your breath, and repeating a mantra- this practice clears your mind, improves focus and allows your body to relax, resulting in the following benefits:

 

1. Reduction of Stress

 

2. Better Focus

 

3. Improved Memory

 

4. Reduction of Anxiety

 

5. More Creativity

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise and the brain

Exercise and the brain go hand in hand.  As previously discussed, it reduces the risks associated with certain diseases, and combats depression and stress, and much more. You just need to find your reason and set an exercise goal! Here’s another one, which especially applies to those of us (including me) experiencing the brain fog that comes with age: exercise changes the brain in ways that protect memory and thinking skills.

Exercise affects the brain on multiple fronts. It increases heart rate, which pumps more oxygen to the brain. It also aids the bodily release of a plethora of hormones, all of which participate in aiding and providing a nourishing environment for the growth of brain cells, improving memory and thinking skills!

So remember when you go to blow off that New Year’s exercise resolution remember these tips from BrainHQ.com:

• In general, anything that is good for your heart is great for your brain.
• Aerobic exercise is great for body and brain: not only does it improve brain function, but it also acts as a “first aid kit” on damaged brain cells.
• Exercising in the morning before going to work not only spikes brain activity and prepares you for mental stresses for the rest of the day, but also produces increases retention of new information, and better reaction to complex situations.
• When looking to change up your work out, look for an activity that incorporates coordination along with cardiovascular exercise, such as a dance class.
• If you like crunching time at the gym alone, opt for circuit work outs, which both quickly spike your heart rate, but also constantly redirect your attention.
• Hitting a wall or mentally exhausted? Try rebooting with a few jumping jacks for your brain improvement exercises.

http://www.brainhq.com/brain-resources/everyday-brain-fitness/physical-exercise