Pay attention to Stress!

No matter what the season, self care is a vital part of loving yourself. Too often the stress becomes hysterical and you begin to compromise your health and your well being.

This post is simply a reminder that paying attention to stress is the first step in making healthy choices to balance your life and move towards personal power.

Over 60 years ago, Dr Edward Bach, recognized the need for an emergency treatment to help people cope with such everyday stressful situations and created Rescue Remedy. Check out the website:

http://www.rescueremedy.com/

RESCUE

If you feel like you’ve “had enough”, follow these simple tips to restore focus and regain inner calm wherever you are:

Relax – Take 10 deep breaths. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly.

Exercise - Learn some basic yoga techniques or just take a 10 minute walk.

Smile - Think of a happy time. It is near impossible to keep frowning while smiling and laughter stimulates the production of mood enhancing endorphins.

Calm – Let your imagination take you to a calm and tranquil place that exudes peace, serenity and beauty.

Use Your Lunchbreak – Take time out for yourself. A walk in the park, especially if it is sunny, can do wonders for your mood. It will help you work more efficiently in the afternoon too.

Escape – If you are able to, walk away. Removing yourself from a stressful situation can give you time to restore some perspective.

Know that you are one of the most significant people in the lives of the children you teach.

Practice “Excellent Self Care” …for your sake and for all those who love you!

Including yourself!

Learn to say “No”!

The holiday season is winding down, with New Years Eve just a few days away. The frantic whirlwind shopping, cooking, visiting and celebrating often takes it’s toll and many of us are exhausted even before the new year begins.

No matter what the past weeks have done to compromise your health and well being, beginning each day with a promise to practice “Excellent Self Care” is a powerful way to renew the commitment to yourself.

Learning to say “No” is a skill that will be beneficial all year long. The following article gives you some ideas and even sample dialog to help orchestrate the limits which will help you have less stress in your life.

http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/keep-holiday-stress-minimum-learn-say-no

Be good to yourself! Set up the limits and priorities which will support your efforts to live a life filled with joy, peace, harmony, ease, prosperity and a heck of a lot of fun.

Happy New Year!

p.s. Watch for my course at Heartsong Yoga

Meditation for Beginners

http://www.heartsongyoga.com/events/coursesforming/

“There is nothing I HAVE to do!”

‘Tis the SEASON for making lists and checking them twice? This time of year has always been stressful for anyone attempting to balance work, home, family, holiday parties and the approaching new year celebration.

Stretch your mind for a moment and try to imagine that the lists are complete and now you can sit for an afternoon and simply enjoy the season, spend time with loved ones and honor a well deserved rest. Nice idea, don’t you thing?

Even if all your chores and holiday tasks are still waiting to be done, you can adopt a unique and creative attitude in order to approach this holiday season with less stress and exhaustion.

Since everything happens in the mind, your willingness to train your thinking can produce great dividends.

Begin by saying to yourself…..”There is nothing that I HAVE to do!” Say it over and over a few times in your mind and then actually out loud, then, to yourself in the mirror and perhaps to someone you know.

In truth, the only thing you HAVE to do is BREATHE and perhaps pay taxes!

Give yourself permission to change the inner dialog, especially when you are stressed out, hysterical and feeling pressure to “get it all done” on time. Replace the statements with thoughts that will bring a sense of personal power, peace, and ease to your days.

Here are some examples:

Instead of…… “I have to mail the cards before Friday” Say to yourself…..

“Since there is nothing I HAVE to do, if I choose to get the cards out by Friday, I just might make that happen”

Instead of…….”I have to finish that project before the holidays” Say to yourself….

“Since there is nothing I HAVE to do, I just might find the time to finish the project and if not, it will be there waiting, because it won’t get done without me, unless I give it away”.

Instead of …….”There will never be enough time to get it all done”. Say to yourself…….

“Since there is nothing I HAVE to do, I get to decide what I will do and what can wait, my welfare comes first!”

And my all time personal favorite, no matter what is happening:

“My timing is perfect for my welfare and my prosperity”

Check out the ART OF DOING NOTHING at:

http://zenhabits.net/the-art-of-doing-nothing/

Have a delicious holiday…practice “Excellent Self Care” and may there be peace, ease and joy in the New Year!

Cement doesn’t Wait!

The town is putting in sidewalks and I missed the opportunity to leave my mark in the wet cement. My intention was to write the word “Breathe” in a hidden corner of the new walkway. A young friend reminded me that if you don’t grab the opportunity, cement doesn’t wait!

Capture the next moment and don’t linger too long, you might become thirsty, parched or hardened. Your well being will not wait, you must act now. Take a deep breath and remind yourself to breathe as often as possible.

In the attached article “How to Get Smarter….One Breath at a Time”, the evidence for brain growth is encouraging. Find out more about why BREATHING is a powerful New Year’s resolution!

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1147167-1,00.html

Perhaps you can make a commitment to yourself as you practice “Excellent Self Care”.

Gently and compassionately remember to simply “BREATHE”.

Be well and stay that way!

Rescue Remedy!