You don't have to be a doctor to understand how stress impacts your health and well-being—or how it gets in the way of getting things done, whether at the office or home.
Slowing your heart rate, easing your breathing, lowering your blood pressure and body metabolism, and relaxing muscle groups will lower your stress. Follow each of the five steps listed below whenever you're stressed out, and you will be able to relax and get on with life's daily challenges:
- Determine exactly what's bothering you.
- Place your head down on a desk or table and close your eyes for 5 minutes. Then shake your hands and arms for 10 seconds.
- While aware of what's stressing you out, repeat to yourself "alert mind, calm body" for six seconds. Smile inwardly—don't wear a fearful or angry expression. Inhale slowly while counting to three, then exhale.
- Sit comfortably and concentrate on a single object or activity like breathing steadily, focusing on each breath you inhale and exhale, for five minutes. Acknowledge but don't analyze any thoughts that interrupt your focus on breathing.
- Relax your muscles by tensing up each muscle group for five seconds and concentrating on what this feels like. Breathe deeply and exhale while releasing all tension in each muscle group.
If you're really stressed out, these few minutes could be the best investment in your day and will make the kind of difference you need to keep up with the tasks ahead.
filed in: Mind Body Spirit
subjects: high-blood-pressure, relaxation, stress
