Health Secrets	UPDATED: Monday, March 20, 2006
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8 Steps to Stress Reduction

Posted on Saturday, April 01, 2006

Some Positive Actions Toward Relief

By Apryl Chapman Thomas
Exclusive to THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Stress has come to have a negative connotation in our society, but it is not always bad. It is your body's way of dealing with changes in your environment and a normal part of life, just like breathing, eating, and sleeping. Even good things—like a visit from your family— can cause stress. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with stress so that it doesn’t become a negative.

Make time for yourself and choose one (or more) stress reducing exercises. Doing any of these, for as little as 15 minutes a day, can make a difference in your life:

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Exercising: The number one stress reliever. Exercise sends more oxygen to your brain, rids your body of toxins, and provides an outlet for pent-up stress. From a brisk walk to gentle yoga, there is an exercise appropriate for you. Just always talk to your doctor before starting.
Visualizing: Take a mental vacation. The best part about this technique is you are only limited by your imagination. For example, if you like snow, visualize yourself walking in the snow. Hear the snow crunch as you walk. Feel your heavy coat on you. Using your imagination, you can take yourself anywhere.
Deep Breathing: Sit down, close your eyes, and place your hands on your stomach. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose. Let your stomach expand as much as you can. Open your eyes and exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat.
Laughing: Remember the saying, "Laughter is the best medicine”? Enjoy a good, deep belly laugh by renting your favorite funny movies or watching funny television shows.
Napping: Take a 15- minute power nap and you will wake up refreshed, ready to tackle your next project, or the next item on your to-do list.
Pets: Pets can make a difference in your life. Whether it's a dog, cat, fish, or bird, spending time with you pets can be relaxing. Studies have shown that petting a cat or dog can lower your blood pressure.
Gardening: You don't need a green thumb to dig in the dirt. Whether you tend to your flowers outside or keep a few plants on your windowsill, gardening can bring you a sense of peace and help you relax.
Doodling: Grabbing some paper, pens, and pencils and just doodling is a great way to let your mind wander for 15 minutes. (Don’t worry about being artistic.)

If you are experiencing sleeplessness, irritability, feeling out of control, or feeling overwhelmed, you might be stressed out. If you find yourself with one or more symptoms for a prolonged time, make an appointment with your health care provider to make sure there are not any underlying health problems.

Otherwise, with some patience and continuous practicing of one or more of these technique(s), over time you will start to reduce the stress in your life.