BoomerGirl Diary

Given the current global financial crisis, I thought I should talk a little about stress. Feeling stressed? Me too!

Stress has been around since the beginning of time. It started as the flight-or-fight reflex when early humans confronted a life-threatening situation, and now, stress itself has become a life-threatening situation.

Well, if we can’t eliminate all causes of stress (which is the way to go if you can do it, but good luck), what CAN we do about it?

Here are a few quick and easy things:

Relax. No, really. Conscious relaxation is a form of yoga or meditation. Sometimes you only need a few seconds and you feel a lot better.

Try this at home or at work:

Sit down and close your eyes. (If you’re on the street, duck into a doorway and keep your eyes open and one hand on your purse.) Let your muscles relax. Concentrate on your breathing.

Breathe in and hold your breath for 1 second – 1 one hundred thousand, Breathe out. Breathe in again, a little deeper and hold for 2 seconds – 1 one hundred thousand, 2 one hundred thousand – breathe out.

Breathe in deeper and hold for three, then four, then 5 seconds. When you get to around 3 seconds of breath holding your stress level should start to drop and your mind should to clear itself for thoughts. After 5, you should feel pretty good. This actually works!

Eat better. Substituting good food like fruit for sugary snacks and drinking less caffeine and less alcohol can make a big difference.

At home, put on some music and dance around for a song or two. If you have the time keep going. After a few minutes, as your heart rate goes up your mood will improve. This is because you’re now doing aerobic exercise, a great mood elevator, after about 20 minutes you’ll feel even better because the endorphins, your body’s natural anti-depressant drugs will kick in and all will be right with the world for a while. By the way, a half hour brisk walk or putting on an aerobics video works just as well.

Another great stress reducer is getting a massage. Professional massage therapists are great, but for just plain stress, getting your significant other or a close friend to give you a massage works just as well, maybe better. Be sure to return the favor.

Last but not least, snuggle with a dog or cuddle with a cat.

www.movingfree.com Mirabai Holland M.F.A. is one of the leading authorities in the Health & Fitness industry, and public health activist who specializing in preventive and rehabilitative exercise for women. Her Moving Free® approach to exercise is designed to provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn't feel like work.