Stress Cures that Keep You in Check

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Simple steps that yield big progress:
Often in our busy society, we are hesitant to make any time to nurture ourselves. We work on our education, career, family, home and bodies and think our work is done. The truth is that you MUST take time to work on your mental and/or spiritual well-being. Try spending just 20 minutes per day doing one of the following activities, and work up to an hour over time:

• Listen to music—just listen!
• Play with a pet.
• Talk to a friend, but keep the discussion light and focused on laughter.
• Write, paint, play an instrument or do another creative activity.
• Pray or attend religious services.
• Practice deep-breathing or meditation.
• Laugh or cry on your own with abandon.
• Take a comforting bath or shower.

Consider a supplement:
No magic pill will be able to help you manage stress but a few supplements can provide added nutritional support to help your body function at its best. In addition to a healthy daily diet that includes lots of vegetables and fruit, whole grains and lean protein, try one of these supplements:

• Relora Anti-Anxiety & Stress Relief, 250mg, Capsules
• Dr. Weil’s Select Formulas Anti-Stress Support, Incl. Multivitamin & Antioxidant
• Pinadol Stress Reducer Tablets
• Stresstabs High Potency Stress Formula Vitamins + Zinc, Tablets

*Supplements should only be taken under a doctor’s supervision.

Use a relaxation technique:
Sometimes a new adventure in itself can help reduce stress as it forces you to stretch your mind and focus your thoughts away from your daily life. These techniques can be a simple daily practice, a hobby or even a new way of life.

Yoga: An ancient practice developed to create wholeness in life, yoga uses postures and breathing to center the mind and body. Yoga is not just a stretching method, although improved flexibility and posture are among its many benefits. Try out a class at a local gym or community center to get the best experience, although a DVD or online program can teach basic techniques.

Meditation: Closely related to yoga, mediation is an even older practice that involves calming and centering the mind. The effects have been proven to carry over into all areas of your life. A series of classes at a local community center or at a Zen Temple can help get you started. You can also purchase an audio guide or visit a site like http://www.learningmeditation.com/ for lots of different meditations geared to your personal situation. Some recordings, such as those on iTunes, can even be downloaded onto an MP3 player to be taken anywhere.

Tai Chi: This practice developed as a martial art but is more commonly used as a way to relax the mind and condition the body. It is a self-paced, non-competitive series of slow, flowing body movements that is meant to achieve “softness over hardness.” You will learn how to be strong but also peaceful—a wonderful metaphor for your real goal. Again, a gym or community center is the best place to get started as you will have the wisdom of a trained professional as well as group support.

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