Stress management
Stress Management
Deadlines.
Soccer practice. Jet lag. Meetings. Multi-tasking. Forget about dinner!
As our schedules become more and more hectic, the need for effective,
time- and cost-sensitive stress management becomes paramount.
Focusing on our
immediate environment, its sounds, tastes, and smells, as well as our
breathing are all ways to cope with the ever increasing stress in our
lives.
Music
Relaxation Therapy
Music
can be magical. We often use it for background "noise” as a
distraction, but it can also be used as an enlightening, therapeutic
experience. The music appreciation center of our brains, for most
people, can be found in the right side of the brain.
When you listen to music, you switch from the left hemisphere
(presides over logical, analytical, sequential activities) to the right
(intuitive, integrating, emotion-based activities). Find music-jazz,
blues, rock ‘n roll, country, classical, new age, whatever relaxes
you-and spend a few minutes every day just listening.
Don’t answer the phone, make dinner, or try to be productive; just
close your eyes and listen. Your body and mind will be refreshed and
ready to meet the rest of the day.
Deep
Breathing
When
we become stressed, our breathing tends to become shallower. Less
oxygen is taken in with each breath, and our blood is forced to move
through our bodies more quickly to get enough oxygen to our brain and
vital organs. Deep breathing techniques counteract this stress response
and help us to let go of tension.
Repeated, long term use of deep breathing exercises can relieve
physical symptoms of stress such as headaches, backaches, stomachaches,
high blood pressure, and insomnia.
Deep
breathing exercises can be done sitting, standing, or lying down. You
will want to wear comfortable, loose clothing. Begin by inhaling through
your nose. Count to five and let your lower abdomen fill with air.
Exhale through your lips silently counting to five. Do this for at
least two minutes. To increase relaxation, imagine that you are on a
beach, in a forest, or any other relaxing place, smelling pleasant
scents and hearing pleasant sounds. Eventually, you may be able to
slowly count to ten.
Invigorating
Bath for Aching Feet
Add
six drops of eucalyptus oil and six drops of rosemary oil to a bowl of
very warm water. Soak your feet for 10 minutes. Run hot water over your
ankles and feet for 30 seconds and then run cold water over your ankles
and feet for 30 seconds. This will relax your muscles and improve
circulation.
Jet Lag
Keep
sachets of lavender, rosemary, and lemon with you when you travel. The
scent of lavender will relax you; rosemary and lemon will keep you
alert. Lavender, rosemary, and lemon scented candles, baths, and facials
are also excellent ways to counteract the effects of jet lag.
ARTICLE BY - PARTHA SARATHI ,MBBS(Std.)
|