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- Smile: Find joy, humor and gratitude in your daily life.
- Listen: Let sounds of nature or a favorite song lift your spirits.
- Stretch: Reduce tension. Find flexibility and clarity.
- Organize: Plan ahead; avoid becoming overwhelmed.
- Create: Find an outlet to express yourself.
- Sweat: Walk, dance….move your body 30 minutes a day!
- Nourish: Eat a balanced diet of fresh, whole foods.
- Sip: Drink green tea to boost immunity and promote calm.
- Rest: Strive for 7-8 hours a night of undisturbed sleep.
- Breathe: Exhale – let go. Inhale – take in the present moment.
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- Smile: Laughing can increase your immune function and disease resistance. Research has shown that laughing reduces stress hormones like adrenaline (epinephrine) and cortisol. It also increases the number and activity of Natural Killer T-cells which act as the first line of defense against viral attacks and damaged cells.. TOP
- Listen: Music and sounds of nature can help us connect to our natural rhythm and lift our mood. It can help us release tension and anxiety by promoting a feeling of tranquility and happiness. This can have the effect of lowering blood pressure and stimulating the release of endorphins. TOP
- Stretching: There are many benefits to practicing yoga or slow controlled stretching exercises. The stresses of daily life often lead to tension in our body and mind. It is important to actively bring awareness to areas where we grip and clench so that we can find a counterbalance of softening and release. This process of lengthening contracted areas and letting go of tension will promote the circulation of new oxygenated blood through out the body, thereby increasing our sense of calm and mental clarity. It can also lessen blood pressure and heart rate, increase flexibility, balance, muscle strength, and range of motion. TOP
- Organize: It is easy to become stressed out and overwhelmed by everything that we have to and would like to do in life. I find that I am less stressed and able to accomplish more when I list and organize my goals, plan ahead and create blocks of time to focus on specific activities. This helps me to contain my thoughts, freeing up energy to be fully present in the moment. TOP
- Create: To avoid the accumulation of tension in our body and mind, find an expressive outlet. Releasing old “stuff” makes room for a renewed sense of inspiration, vitality and growth. Some examples could include journaling, painting, dancing, talking with friends, walking outdoors or anything that helps you connect to your inner spirit and creative essence. TOP
- Sweat: As we all know, exercise is essential to health. Even though it is sometimes hard to get moving, once we do- it just feels so good. Beyond the boost in energy and self-esteem, physical activity strengthens the cardiovascular and immune systems, improves mental concentration and cognitive ability, AND it lowers cholesterol, blood pressure, cortisol and other stress hormones. In order to impact your heath, studies show you need to do aerobic exercise several times a week for a sustained period of at least 20 to 30 minutes. TOP
- Nourish: Just like exercise, a nutritious diet has many positive effects on both your body and mind. A diet high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and folate Eating a healthy, balanced meal can help prevent and/or control hypertension, diabetes, depression, and cholesterol. TOP
- Sip: Drinking green tea throughout the day can enhance your body’s natural ability to ward off germs and infections. Properties in green and black tea can strengthen the immune system and promote a sense of well being by influencing neurotransmitter levels in the brain (i.e. dopamine, serotonin). TOP
- Rest: Rest and relaxation go hand in hand. Sleep is a time when your body and immune system do most of their repairs. When you do not get enough sleep, your stress levels can increase, leaving you to feel irritable, foggy, and easily aggravated. Improve your mood and resistance to disease by ensuring that you get seven to eight hours of sleep an evening. TOP
- Breathe: Bring awareness to your breath. Ask yourself: “Am I holding my breath when I am under stress? Do I exhale completely? Can I feel my belly fill and rise when I inhale?” TOP
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