In a previously posted article entitled “Stress and Massage Therapy,” I explained that stress is the body’s non-specific response to any demand made upon it. This definition includes physiological stress, such as our heart beating and organs functioning, “good” stress, the kind of short-term stimulation that comes from a burst of hormones, and “bad” stress, more accurately referred to as distress, long-tern excess stress such as toxic relationships and unhealthy eating habits. In this article, I’d like to offer suggestions in addition to massage therapy, on how to manage stress and adopt a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Let’s begin with preventing stress. Time management is a vital tool in avoiding unnecessary stress. Operating in your nervous system’s fight or flight mode is detrimental to your health, vitality, and peace of mind:

♦Keep a day planner, breaking down large projects and setting short term goals.

♦Prioritize your time by urgency and importance of commitments.

♦Delegate, delegate, delegate.

♦Concentrate and stay focused on the task at hand, avoid procrastination.

Reducing stress is all about taking control- control of your thoughts, your schedule, your environment and the way you deal with challenges:

♦Avoid people that stress you out.

♦Learn to say “no.”

♦Be willing to compromise and learn to forgive.

♦ Don’t try to control the uncontrollable.

There are a number of ways to think about coping with stress. Some general ideas for looking at the big picture include:

♦Keeping perspective- will this stressful situation matter tomorrow, next month, next year?? 

♦Focus on the positive- stay optimistic and keep your sense of humor.

♦Build a strong support system- connect with other positive people. 

♦Adopt a healthy life style- Exercise regularly: preventing and reducing the effects of stress; Eat a healthy diet: nourish your mind and body; Get enough sleep: This is when your body recovers from the stresses of the day; Reduce caffeine, sugar and other toxins: Give your adrenal glands a break! Express your feelings: Seek out a professional to talk with and work through your internal struggles. Avoid keeping difficult situations bottled up. 

And finally: do something you love to do every day!!!- work in your garden, spend time in nature, get a massage, watch a comedy, write in a journal, take a yoga class, a walk, a bath, listen to music, meditate, curl up with a good book, play with your pet, cook a great meal, laugh! 

 

Please visit my links for resources on great yoga classes, meditation, and healthcare professionals.