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I have to tell you that the feedback from the staff has been wonderful. They thoroughly enjoyed you and they have already said they would like you back next year, if possible. I think we all agreed that you helped us relieve our stress. Thank you again. Holly Conrad, Pinnacle Health |
Stop
back monthly for helpful stress reducing tips!
April's Stress Tip: Walk
In Faith
How much time do you spend in making decisions? Did you ever notice how you can agonize over details until it's driving you crazy? Then, other times you say yes to something without even giving it a second thought? Why do we do that? Part of becoming a confident person is having the guts to make the decisions and deal with the consequences. It's too easy to get caught up in having to foresee every possible outcome and have the delusion that we can control our own part of the universe. If you ever suffer that delusion, take a toddler and an infant to a department store and see who's in control. I'm not saying that decisions should be haphazard or uninformed. I'm talking about that little inner voice that you ignore, about something you really would like to do or need to do, but don't do because you fear the unknown. Do it and walk in faith that whatever happens, you can deal with it. Have faith in yourself and in a power that is greater, wiser and bigger than you and me.
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March 2002 Stress Tip: A NIA Experience
After encouraging you to enjoy chocolate in February, now we have to talk about (groan) exercise. Being basically a lazy person whose main goal in life is to take up space, exercise is not a pretty topic for me. I agree with comedian Joan Rivers, "If God wanted us to do deep knee bends, He'd have put diamonds all over the ground." That being said, I did have the opportunity to experience a sneaky form of exercise in a class with Dr. Deborah Kern. It is called NIA, which stands for Neuromuscular Integrative Activity. She plays wonderful soothing music and takes you through these rhythmic visualization activities, that you don't even realize you are moving constantly, using every muscle of your body, having a good workout and are you ready for this -a good time! The movements are more natural and fluid than aerobics and therefore easier on the joints. Even your smooth muscles get a workout. Look for a NIA class and try it. In the meantime, when you're home alone, put on your favorite music and dance up a storm (we need the rain).
February 2002 Stress Tip: A Sweet Affliction
In February we think of Valentines, hearts, flowers and most importantly, chocolates. Those of us who are truly chocolate- dependent, (you know who you are), get a craving that no fruit or vegetable will satisfy, unless it is dipped in dark chocolate. I once scavenged my entire house, my purses and coat pockets in desperate search for any old piece of chocolate. You know you're in trouble if you find yourself blowing the lint off of an old Hershey miniature that's turned white- gray and you eat it! Maybe one of the reasons chocolate is so important is that it truly possesses anti-depressant qualities. Yes, it is like Prozac with calories but it tastes great. Chocolate passes through the brain and says, "Life is good." Enjoy it, like everything, in moderation.
January 2002 Stress Tip: Going Through the Motions
Okay, it's a brand new year and you're still the same old you. Maybe you've made a resolution and maybe you've broken it already. Today, in this moment, you have a whole new year of life ahead of you. How would you live it if you knew it was the last full year you have? Pay attention to those restless dreams in your heart of hearts. CHANGE SOMETHING, anything useful. Just make up your mind to go for it and see what happens. You'll be amazed how one change opens doors. You will feel fully alive! You will create a year of living consciously, instead of going through the motions.
December 2001 Stress Tip: Don't Fret Over It
Rather than fret about over-commercialization, over-spending, over-eating or any other "over" you can think of, take charge of your holiday and plan a gift of time with someone you really care about. A hike, a lunch date with that person to whom you say year after year, "we really have to get together", a game night with your kids, a day out. The benefits are many- no need to know sizes, little to no expense, and memories that can last a lifetime (batteries not included).
November 2001 Stress Tip: What Happened to November?
What happened to November? Did you notice during exceptionally busy times that some things just fall to the wayside? Well that was my November. It was probably one of my busiest speaking months-what a wonderful dilemma! At times like this, when we look at our schedules and see what's coming, we can de-stress ourselves by accepting right off the bat that our lives are going to be out of balance for a while. Don't fight for balance, accept it and let significant others know that that's how it is for now.
October 2001 Stress Tip: Everyday Heroes
These
days ,as we all are seeing the world through different eyes, we are finding
true heroes in people that we have taken for granted. Every time I see the firefighters,
police, rescue workers, volunteers and courageous victims and their families
from the September 11th tragedy, my heart swells and my eyes spill a seemingly
endless supply of tears.
Heroes
are defined as people who go beyond the call of duty, champion a good cause
and serve as a calling to our higher selves. Let's
put our higher selves to use. Get involved, contribute to one of the causes,
volunteer, be a good citizen and thank the people who make our world safer.
Like the song says, "a hero lies in you."
September 2001 Stress Tip: Reach Out, Lend A Hand
If adversity is a mirror that shows us what we're made of, it's heartening to see that we Americans are people of faith who love and care deeply about our country and one another. The events of September 11, 2001 teach a hard lesson. Let us learn that our freedom cannot be taken for granted. Let us value each other's lives each and every day through acts of kindness. We reduce the stress of this situation by reaching out, lending a hand, doing something to contribute to the common good.
August 2001 Stress Tip: Better Late Than Never
Now
that it is mid-September, I thought it would be a good idea to do August's stress
tip and an even better idea to write about procrastination, since I could be
the poster child. The procrastinators of the world will unite-but not right
now. Procrastination is based on a childish hope that if we avoid something
that is difficult, it will go away. It's even effective in relieving stress-momentarily,
but we all know that in the long run, it usually comes back to bite us as work
accumulates, overwhelms or creates a crisis. What to do? Write your to do list
for the day. Prioritize and schedule just one of your dreaded tasks, and, this
is the radical part,-do it!!! Then reward yourself in some way today not tomorrow.
July 2001 Stress Tip: Vacation and You'll Live Longer
Go on vacation and you'll live longer. No kidding! A study done by State University of New York at Oswego last year in which they surveyed 12,866 men between the ages of 35 to 57, found that regular vacations decreased the risk of death by 20 per cent. Better yet, the Framingham Heart Study for women found that frequent vacations cut the risk of death by 50 per cent. The U.S. is the most vacation-starved of all the industrialized countries. In Italy, the average worker gets 42 vacation days annually, while we average 13. It is healthy for us to wander, to get away, and get to know ourselves and our families again.
June 2001 Stress Tip: Do Your 4-7-8's
Okay, so you picked the wrong line at the grocery store as the person in front of you presents a jillion coupons, some of which are expired. Now she has to check the eggs in the carton and now she has to write a check. Or you find yourself driving behind someone who is puttering along, looking around, taking his good old time and it's a no passing zone- what do you do? Well you need to answer this question. Is this a tragedy or an inconvenience? Let your mind teach your body to recognize the difference. Use this opportunity to take a breather. Breathe in to a count of four, hold to a count of seven, and breathe out slowly through your mouth to a count of eight. Whenever life slows you down, do your 4-7-8's.
May 2001 Stress Tip: Find New Mentors
M is for May and for Mother and how about another important M- mentor. Since change can be stressful- and change is inevitable, (except from a vending machine), one of the best things to do to help ourselves through the day is find new mentors. Look at the people around you who know information that you want or need to learn. Write them a note or tell them that you sincerely admire their work and ASK, yes ASK, them to mentor you. Most people think of seeking an older, wiser person as a mentor. That's great, but what about looking to some of our younger co-workers, especially with their computer savvy as well as their fresh perspective for the workplace. My new mentors have renewed my energy and provided for joyful, mutual sharing of ideas and respect.
April 2001 Stress Tip: Someday I'm Going To.....
"Someday I'm going to.....", you fill in the blank. Most of us carry around ideas in our minds about things we'd like to do "someday"- when we find the time. These can be dreams, desires, needs or wants. They don't go away because they speak to something unfulfilled inside of us. Change "someday" to a real date, then say it out loud to a knowing friend. Write it down for yourself. Discuss it with people who have actually done this or something close to it. Make your Dream a Goal, your Goal a Plan, and your Plan a REALITY. Someday I'm going to travel and study in Greece. There I've said it, now I have to do it.
March 2001 Stress Tip: Feeling Like Winter?
Have you noticed the tips of daffodils and hyacinths bravely poking through the ground? I don't know about you but right around this time of year, I've about had it with the drabby gray of Winter. These shoots of green that are currently withstanding very unspringlike weather, promise us colorful new life.
Perhaps your life has been feeling like Winter for more than a season. Take charge of it. Make a positive change, however small. Write it on a stick-on note and do it everyday.
Buy a colorful plant. Put it in your home or office to remind you that Spring always follows Winter.
February 2001 Stress Tip: Let It
Right now, seeing snow fall steadily outside my windows, I feel like I'm sitting in a giant snow-globe, the kind you shake up and watch the snow until it's all settled. Only it's not settling. A heavy snowfall such as this reminds us of our place in the universe. We are not all powerful, or all controlling, thank God. When a 100-year-old man was asked the secret of his longevity, he said, "When it rains, I let it." He knows what he can control and accepts what he cannot. Well, it's snowing like crazy today. Let's apply the wisdom of this centenarian and let it. Now take a moment to enjoy the beauty in the everyday.
January 2001 Stress Tip: Clean Up Your Sleeping Habits
It's dark when you get up in the morning and dark when most of us come home from work. Our inner bears urge us to hibernate and eat Tasty cakes and fastnachts to survive the long cold winter. Why not take this opportunity to clean up your sleeping habits? Studies show that many Americans are sleep-deprived. Most people need 6 to 7 hours of sleep several nights per week. Our bodies repair and recharge during sleep. So, skip the news or the late show, turn off the TV and go to bed one hour earlier this week. You'll be less grumpy, more energized and ready to venture out of the cave.
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