‘De-Stressing’ our Lives

Posted on September 22, 2013 by Cathy Silver
Maybe a small Herb Garden would fit you?

Maybe a small Herb Garden would fit you?

I awoke this morning–my “to do” list seemed to grow overnight.  The last several weeks have been fraught with mechanical breakdowns; the aging air conditioner, my car battery, a cantankerous refrigerator, a hairline crack in my iPad, taxes, keeping my household’s daily maintenance and routine flowing as smoothly as possible–and  fulfilling my purposeful health coaching practice demands.  All good!  I reminded myself this week, there is no destination, yet the journey is at times challenging!

Each of us in our own way–on our own schedule is juggling  work, health, activities, relationships–and life.  So how do we “de-stress” our lives?  After all, stress is a big factor that contributes to dis-ease and illness.

I began my day, with good intentions, and a few minutes of quiet meditation.  Sunday, a wonderful yoga class offered at the gym and has quickly become a ‘new tradition’ over the past 12 months.  I look forward to the familiar melodious voice of the instructor as he drives the poses, stretches, and breathing.  Each minute that passes seems to pull the tension from the muscles and space within my body at some level of unconscious awareness.  Leaving class after the traditional “Namaste”, I always feel much lighter.  Ah, what great stress reliever.

Relieving stress is as important as organic food, positive thoughts, healthy careers, supportive relationships, creativity & sound home environments.  Each spoke on the wheel reinforcing the integrity of the hub–in this case–us.  Frequently and chronically we lead stressful, frenzied lives full of anxiety.  We all to often struggle to balance all of our roles and then wonder not only why we can’t do it all–but why happiness and joy seem to allude us as well.  The conundrum of modern life.  Where is the harmony? Perhaps, staying true to ourselves, accepting and enjoying the simple pleasures which create lasting happiness and realizing the craziness must take a backseat wherever possible!  Simplify.

How do you de-stress your life?  I’d love to hear.   I’ve come up with a few  suggestions that I offer you today.  See if any of these resonate with you.  For me, when things spiral upward, my reprieve is a few quiet moments sitting on the beach–listening and watching the waves.

  • Take a walk
  • Try a warm bubble bath
  • Choose healthy relationships that support you
  • Listen to music
  • Get creative; write, paint or draw
  • Try aromatherapy such as lavender oil
  • Make yourself a cup of chamomile tea
  • Take yourself to a “time-out” for 5 minutes peace
  • Start a small garden that gives you pleasure and gets you into nature
  • Prioritize and eliminate the non-essential.
  • Give yourself permission and know that most things can wait and the world will not fall apart if they don’t get done TODAY!
  • Laugh
  • Food affects our emotions and our mood; pick wisely.
  • Breathe

Yogotta Know This-Inga Shots-10

Filed under: Alternative Medicine, Energies of Healing, Energy Healing, Exercise Benefits, Healthy Living, Living our truth, New Age, Primary Food, Self-help, Stress relief, Uncategorized, Well-being | Tagged: , , , | Leave a comment »

Movement; A Daily Dose

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Cathy Silver
Yoga Class

Yoga Class

Any good mechanic will tell you that is much worst for an engine or piece of mechanical equipment to sit idle; cars, boats & planes are meant to be used. If fact, things that are not used–are not “thought about” breakdown much quicker or fall into disrepair often rusting away or crumbling.   The oil, gasoline and transmission fluids are all meant to circulate through the engine.  Can’t the same be said for us? And, if movement is good for us–why do most of us resist it so? Maybe we need to see exercise as a “get to“?

Over the years, I have been a big proponent of exercise–and always enjoyed the gym; I was an athlete in both high school and college and it just came with ease. Lately, I have stretched myself to include yoga. I know the breathing is good. It connects me to a higher consciousness and I enjoy the soothing voice of our instructor and the silent nature of the practice; a refreshing change from the bombardment of noise everywhere.  Contemporary Yoga practices are used to alleviate health problems, reduce stress and make the spine supple. And, my self confession: this is not easy for me. I can’t even touch my toes, but know it is complete exercise program and an exploration into an alternative from my usual. I go once or twice a week. Sunday morning is by far may favorite class, and as the weeks pass feel it gets easier. I say all this, as we all start somewhere. When beginning a new routine, we often feel very much out of our comfort zone.  The unfamiliarity makes us uncomfortable. But in reality, we compete only against ourselves–not with the person next to us or across the room. And truth be said, probably everyone else is feeling the same way.   This is true whether it is the elliptical machine or posing in warrior 4 or riding bikes or lifting weights.  Really, it’s all about being in the moment, and taking care of us!  Exercise is an ideal way of releasing a build up of physical tension, and developing a regular exercise program to suit your particular body type and lifestyle will have numerous rewards.

Sing while you walk. Use a kick board & fins to swim. Take a dance class. Ride a bike. Take the stairs. Play tennis. Maybe for you, it is a brisk 30-minute walk, shooting hoops or kicking a soccer ball? We all need exercise to thrive. Our bodies thrive on movement. Our minds feel better!

Start small. Make it part of a lifestyle. Do something that you like. What did you like as a kid? Find what is right for you. Too much, too little or the wrong type doesn’t work. Listen to your body and the movement it desires. And, if necessary find a buddy to support you–exercising can be much more fun if you have fun while doing it!

Be Well–love and light,Yoga

Cathy

http://www.energiesofhealing.com

http://www.cathysilverhealth.com

Filed under: Energies of Healing, Exercise Benefits, Healthy Living, Pamper Yourself, Self-help, Weight Loss | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

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