3 Quick Stress Busters

Want to de-stress, relax & unwind quickly during your very busy day? Here are 3 quick tips:

60-Second Zen Breathing

Get in a comfortable, quiet spot; either a chair or better yet, reclining. Place one hand on your abdomen & one on your chest. Slowly breathe in...all the way into your belly button, making your abdomen rise; your chest should remain fairly still. Now, slowly exhale, your abdomen should fall as you release the air; (again, your chest shouldn't move much). Continue breathing like this for about 60 seconds, or more if you have the time. This is a wonderful way to get to sleep at night after a rough day.

Focused Muscle Relaxation

Again, find a comfortable, quiet spot, either sitting or reclining (as you get really good at this, you can do it anywhere). Take an overall assessment of yourself. Feel each zone of your body fully for tension. Are the muscles of your forehead scrunched? How about your jaw? Are your shoulders low & relaxed or pulled up & tense? How about your breathing; is it slow & relaxed, or shallow & rapid with tight muscles across your chest? Move through your body, scanning each muscle zone & feeling for bits of tension.

As you find an area of tension, consciously tighten those muscles as hard as you can. Squeeze intensely! Then take a deep breath and release the area. Let it completely relax. Take another breath, release the air & let the muscles relax further. Move the muscles around a bit. Make funny faces if you have to. Do what ever it takes to release the tension in that area right now before it gets so tight you have knots.

Do this exercise every 2-3 hours & soon you’ll find you can spot tension as it starts, quickly stop it & you won’t have those knots you’ve gotten so used to for years.

Mental Vacation

This one works anywhere, anytime…just not while driving please! Close your eyes & picture your favorite vacation spot. Immerse yourself in the image & the ambiance. Imagine the sights, sounds & smells of the place. Stay there for 30-60 seconds, breathing in the air of the relaxation you experienced while you were away from the world of work & responsibility. Open your eyes & come back…sorry, you truly are here in reality, but wasn’t it nice to get away for a moment?

What would it take for you to Relax today?

Come walk on the Greener Grass of Wellness!

Kim