Stop for a moment and sit back in your chair. Take one of those deep breaths in through the nose, and exhale from the mouth. Do it a few times. Remember: when stress enters we slow our breathing down - almost stop when we are angry! As you breathe think "I am relaxing myself, slowing my heart rate, lowering my blood pressure, maintaining optimum oxygen so I can think better, and giving myself and the only place I have to live (my body) - a few moments of regeneration!"
Believe me - it will do all those things for you. After a few breaths, stretch your arms up in the air, blink your eyes several times, wiggle your toes and if you need to take a bathroom break - don't put it off! Do it now. The walk will do you good anyway and get that oxygen moving through the body again.
NO STRESS is worth your life! It will all work out somehow. Don't add to your problems by stressssssssssing out!
CREATE a wonderful day, and better yet, a great life for yourself. I really care!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
How do I relieve stress during this busy time?
1. I remember to breathe! Breathing can calm you down, lower your heart rate, make you think more intelligently, and help any pain you might have to diminish. That is just a partial list of the good things that will happen to you when you remember to use your oxygen. It's a gift. Try holding your breath for 4 minutes and see how precious your oxygen is to your life!
2. Prioritize - Make sure that the tasks you are trying to accomplish don't cause you
to loose your temper with those people in your life you are trying to please! People first (LOVE), all the other stuff next.
3. Loosen the old thought that Christmas is about "presenting" a great dinner table,
buying the best gifts, or decorating the house with a million lights. It's not. It's about LOVE LOVE LOVE. For us Christians it is the time we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. For non-Christians it can be a lovely time to celebrate family and the spirit of giving. Don't diminish one moment with frustration and anger. Take it easy...take a breath!
4. Don't forget to give yourself a hug once in a while. You work hard and you know it. Count small blessings we skip over each day. I was shopping and looked up and saw an awesome sight-so I took out my little camera and captured it (photo on the right). What a blessing to see such beauty!
Have a wonderful holiday season and DON'T spend it drinking too much. You loose your spirit when it is saturated with booze. Yes, I have a drink now and then - but I
am in charge; not the alcohol. Be safe. Be YOURSELF!
2. Prioritize - Make sure that the tasks you are trying to accomplish don't cause you
to loose your temper with those people in your life you are trying to please! People first (LOVE), all the other stuff next.
3. Loosen the old thought that Christmas is about "presenting" a great dinner table,
buying the best gifts, or decorating the house with a million lights. It's not. It's about LOVE LOVE LOVE. For us Christians it is the time we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. For non-Christians it can be a lovely time to celebrate family and the spirit of giving. Don't diminish one moment with frustration and anger. Take it easy...take a breath!
4. Don't forget to give yourself a hug once in a while. You work hard and you know it. Count small blessings we skip over each day. I was shopping and looked up and saw an awesome sight-so I took out my little camera and captured it (photo on the right). What a blessing to see such beauty!
Have a wonderful holiday season and DON'T spend it drinking too much. You loose your spirit when it is saturated with booze. Yes, I have a drink now and then - but I
am in charge; not the alcohol. Be safe. Be YOURSELF!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Quick thoughts
A collage of thoughts for you...busy time of year!
Turns out sitting up straight is actually bad for your back. Sitting at a 90 degree angle puts pressure on the lower back-enough to squeeze fluid from the disks that cushion vertebrae. Adjust the height of your chair so your hips are 3 to 4 inches higher than your knees. Recline slightly, with a small pillow behind your lower back, so you backbone is at a 135-degree angle to your thighs. These conclusions were found in Scotland as researches took MRI scans of 22 volunteers.
You can learn from your children, be led by them, keep young through their eyes, and get many blessings in return from loving and guiding them.
Water: First thing in the morning drink 12 oz. Your body loses fluid stores overnight, which can make your mind foggy. Star the day with H20 and it might keep you from seeking out coffee or tea -at least cut back or dilute. Drink 30 meals before meal to help you fill up a bit. German study- drink 50 oz. of cold water a day-can help you burn up extra 50 cals per day-5lbs. a year, without exercising. metabolism boost due to extra effort needed to raise the water’s temp to 98.6F.
Interesting -students who drink too much may be setting themselves up for heart problems.
AMA excessively - double levels of C-reactive protein, a biological marker for inflammation associated with higher chance of cardiovascular problems. (heavy drinking defined: 3 or more alcholic drinks at least 3 days week or at least 5 drinks two days of week. Moderate: 2-5 drinks at one time, one or two days week. CRP levels on heavy MORE THAN DOUBLED, placing them in zone associated with moderate risk of heart disease More studies on way-still, setting up a dangerous pattern. Not to mention “date rape drug”, blackouts, risky behavior-aids, pregnancy, drinking and drive, turn into big A holes!
Hope you are using your wits and not over eating throughout the holidays. Take a bite of everything but don't be a pig. It's your body - the only place you have to live! Whatever is on the plate is NOT TO DIE FOR!
Blessings and love!
Turns out sitting up straight is actually bad for your back. Sitting at a 90 degree angle puts pressure on the lower back-enough to squeeze fluid from the disks that cushion vertebrae. Adjust the height of your chair so your hips are 3 to 4 inches higher than your knees. Recline slightly, with a small pillow behind your lower back, so you backbone is at a 135-degree angle to your thighs. These conclusions were found in Scotland as researches took MRI scans of 22 volunteers.
You can learn from your children, be led by them, keep young through their eyes, and get many blessings in return from loving and guiding them.
Water: First thing in the morning drink 12 oz. Your body loses fluid stores overnight, which can make your mind foggy. Star the day with H20 and it might keep you from seeking out coffee or tea -at least cut back or dilute. Drink 30 meals before meal to help you fill up a bit. German study- drink 50 oz. of cold water a day-can help you burn up extra 50 cals per day-5lbs. a year, without exercising. metabolism boost due to extra effort needed to raise the water’s temp to 98.6F.
Interesting -students who drink too much may be setting themselves up for heart problems.
AMA excessively - double levels of C-reactive protein, a biological marker for inflammation associated with higher chance of cardiovascular problems. (heavy drinking defined: 3 or more alcholic drinks at least 3 days week or at least 5 drinks two days of week. Moderate: 2-5 drinks at one time, one or two days week. CRP levels on heavy MORE THAN DOUBLED, placing them in zone associated with moderate risk of heart disease More studies on way-still, setting up a dangerous pattern. Not to mention “date rape drug”, blackouts, risky behavior-aids, pregnancy, drinking and drive, turn into big A holes!
Hope you are using your wits and not over eating throughout the holidays. Take a bite of everything but don't be a pig. It's your body - the only place you have to live! Whatever is on the plate is NOT TO DIE FOR!
Blessings and love!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Unexpected trauma II - the continuing story:)
I could have been upset when I was getting ready to serve dinner to my husband. One
of the baked potatoes decided to BLOW UP! Of course I had just cleaned the oven, and I
was very hungry.
I have no idea why it blew up. In all the years I've baked potatoes and there have been thousands (no lie), I've never had this happen!
So my stress management technique: Laugh. It actually was funnier than upsetting...I
opened the oven and there was my potato (of course it was mine, my hubby was starving)
all over the oven. :)
I reckoned that I wasn't supposed to have the potato as I always use too much butter and sour cream, and I am trying to loose a few pounds before the holidays. Dinner was still great, and I was not "over-stuffed", nor did I feel guilty.
So when something happens that could be unexpected trauma, but it's really not life altering, take it with a sense of humor. Laughter saves many a day!
USE IT - laughter is free and always cheers up those around you. Besides, it's fun.
of the baked potatoes decided to BLOW UP! Of course I had just cleaned the oven, and I
was very hungry.
I have no idea why it blew up. In all the years I've baked potatoes and there have been thousands (no lie), I've never had this happen!
So my stress management technique: Laugh. It actually was funnier than upsetting...I
opened the oven and there was my potato (of course it was mine, my hubby was starving)
all over the oven. :)
I reckoned that I wasn't supposed to have the potato as I always use too much butter and sour cream, and I am trying to loose a few pounds before the holidays. Dinner was still great, and I was not "over-stuffed", nor did I feel guilty.
So when something happens that could be unexpected trauma, but it's really not life altering, take it with a sense of humor. Laughter saves many a day!
USE IT - laughter is free and always cheers up those around you. Besides, it's fun.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Unexpected Trauma
Ok, this is a "little" trauma, but it could have been WAY BIGGER if I had let it!
Several months ago my husband bought me a new Schwinn sidewinder bike (designed particularly for women). A couple of days ago I put it in my vehicle and went to a bike trail and rode. It felt great. I do that as often as I can.
When I got home I took the bike out and as I sat it down the phone rang. I quickly opened the kick stand and ran for the phone....last time I'll do that:).
By the time I got there no one was on the line, so I used the restroom and thought I'd
run a few pressing errands. When I came back out the garage door I didn't see the bike so never thought a thing about it! Obviously the kick stand wasn't fully opened and the bike was laying on the ground.
I jumped in the vehicle and backed up - right over my new bike! THUD! I thought I had wrecked it! I did cry (crying is good as it cleans out the tear ducts) - then I called my husband and told him.
He was not mad, but felt terrible I had been crying. He said it's okay - "Stuff happens". We'll just get it fixed." I was fortunate as I know some men can be nasty
about things like that. (Just to clear this up: I don't accept material things being more important than people, so if he'd been upset about the cost, I would have dealt with it differently-but peacefully:) War never ends, as we see all over the world!
Anyway, I felt better, will be more careful next time, and am prayerful and happy it wasn't a child or adult! I will be more careful and that is my lesson learned.
Have a wonderful day and you be careful too!
Several months ago my husband bought me a new Schwinn sidewinder bike (designed particularly for women). A couple of days ago I put it in my vehicle and went to a bike trail and rode. It felt great. I do that as often as I can.
When I got home I took the bike out and as I sat it down the phone rang. I quickly opened the kick stand and ran for the phone....last time I'll do that:).
By the time I got there no one was on the line, so I used the restroom and thought I'd
run a few pressing errands. When I came back out the garage door I didn't see the bike so never thought a thing about it! Obviously the kick stand wasn't fully opened and the bike was laying on the ground.
I jumped in the vehicle and backed up - right over my new bike! THUD! I thought I had wrecked it! I did cry (crying is good as it cleans out the tear ducts) - then I called my husband and told him.
He was not mad, but felt terrible I had been crying. He said it's okay - "Stuff happens". We'll just get it fixed." I was fortunate as I know some men can be nasty
about things like that. (Just to clear this up: I don't accept material things being more important than people, so if he'd been upset about the cost, I would have dealt with it differently-but peacefully:) War never ends, as we see all over the world!
Anyway, I felt better, will be more careful next time, and am prayerful and happy it wasn't a child or adult! I will be more careful and that is my lesson learned.
Have a wonderful day and you be careful too!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Think about it.....
When was the last time you lit a candle in the day time? Have you played any warm and cozy music just for you? Pick a rhythm that makes you sway to it.
When was the last time you stood outside? Just stood. Quietly listening, looking, smelling all that is around you, for all these things are life and have a place in this world. Accept that and you will learn to love all things, because all things will change according to the light and love you share.
I took a picture of the moon before sun up this morning. There was a star way above it. I didn't really see just shadows from the tree branches. When I put it in photo shop I just changed a few things and now I can see the branches too.
Do something different today. Walk down the stairs instead of using the elevator.
One day I watched a group of Canadian geese flying in perfect formations. I watched them until they were gone. I was in the Costco parking lot. I heard them and just
looked up and paid attention to them. It was beautiful.
When I looked back down I realized there were four or five people standing near to me and we were all watching together.
It's your day. Take a breath and ENJOY!
When was the last time you stood outside? Just stood. Quietly listening, looking, smelling all that is around you, for all these things are life and have a place in this world. Accept that and you will learn to love all things, because all things will change according to the light and love you share.
I took a picture of the moon before sun up this morning. There was a star way above it. I didn't really see just shadows from the tree branches. When I put it in photo shop I just changed a few things and now I can see the branches too.
Do something different today. Walk down the stairs instead of using the elevator.
One day I watched a group of Canadian geese flying in perfect formations. I watched them until they were gone. I was in the Costco parking lot. I heard them and just
looked up and paid attention to them. It was beautiful.
When I looked back down I realized there were four or five people standing near to me and we were all watching together.
It's your day. Take a breath and ENJOY!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Right now - do this for YOURSELF, please!
Since you are sitting down just push your chair back for a moment and press your shoulders down and back. Make that posture count for good oxygen intake. Now hold the abdominals in and take a few deep breaths. Breathe in through the nose, and out through the mouth.
Slowly again - in through the nose, and out through the mouth. Two or three more mindful breaths remembering we need oxygen to live and good breaths make our thinking
clearer. When you exhale you visualize all the negative thoughts you hold within fall down to the fingertips and dissipate.
Now turn your neck to the right and hold for a moment. Now back to center and then to the left and hold. Bring your head back to center and let the right side of your head fall towards the right shoulder. Hold a few moments. Now back to center and lay the left side of your head to the left shoulder. You'll feel the stretch on each side and this is good.
Roll your shoulders back in circles a few times, then roll them forward.
Blink your eyes quickly 10-20 times and close them. Rub your fingertips together until they feel warm and lay them on your eyes. Take in two more mindful inhalations and exhalations.
Open your eyes and SMILE! You have done something wonderful for yourself and it didn't take that long at all! Now resume whatever it was you were doing and remember someone out here on line REALLY CARES!
Slowly again - in through the nose, and out through the mouth. Two or three more mindful breaths remembering we need oxygen to live and good breaths make our thinking
clearer. When you exhale you visualize all the negative thoughts you hold within fall down to the fingertips and dissipate.
Now turn your neck to the right and hold for a moment. Now back to center and then to the left and hold. Bring your head back to center and let the right side of your head fall towards the right shoulder. Hold a few moments. Now back to center and lay the left side of your head to the left shoulder. You'll feel the stretch on each side and this is good.
Roll your shoulders back in circles a few times, then roll them forward.
Blink your eyes quickly 10-20 times and close them. Rub your fingertips together until they feel warm and lay them on your eyes. Take in two more mindful inhalations and exhalations.
Open your eyes and SMILE! You have done something wonderful for yourself and it didn't take that long at all! Now resume whatever it was you were doing and remember someone out here on line REALLY CARES!
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