that has ever felt like exploding from tight shoulders, indigestion, head- aches or other conditions caused by accumulated stress can benefit from Lord’s recommendation to experience a whole-body shake. “Just stand with your feet firmly planted and start shaking—first your feet, then your legs, arms, head and neck and eventually, your whole body—for at least two or three minutes,” she coun- sels. “You’ll shake off all of that tension, energize every cell and probably start laughing, another great stress reliever.” A good belly laugh is likewise a
powerful stress reliever, according to a study by researchers at Indiana State University, in Terra Haute, published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Med- icine. Results also showed that laughter increased production of the protective cells that boost immune function. Create a memory garden. For Ster- nberg, her personal place of peace is an unconscious re-creation combining the sights and smells of her grandmother’s garden with the comfortable “at home” feeling of her parents’ deck and me- mentos from a happy time in Crete. At
the center of Sternberg’s happy memo- ries are fragrant jasmine and gardenia trees, lavender and basil, all reminders of happy times in her life. She recalls, “It wasn’t until I was finished that I real- ized what I had done.” A review of relevant science report-
ed in Neural Plasticity explains that the brain’s hippocampus region, a seat of memory, especially related to place, also normally regulates the production of cortisol. But an excess of cortisol due to stress can impair its memory functions. “When we are in a place that brings happy memories to mind, we let go of stress and stop the release of cortisol,” says Sternberg. “It helps to just think of a place where we have been happy.” She recommends creating a home space with some plants on a window- sill, photos of happy family gatherings, fabrics or paint in beloved colors and perhaps inherited items that trigger fond memories.
Kathleen Barnes is the author of numer- ous natural health books, including 10 Best Ways to Manage Stress. Connect at
KathleenBarnes.com.
Breathe Deeply
Perform this subtle de-stressor while in line at the market or driving. It slows heart rate, oxygenates the body, improves mental clarity and has a relaxing effect on the nervous system.
n Sit or stand straight.
n Put the tip of the tongue against the ridge of tissue just behind the upper front teeth, and keep it there throughout the entire exercise.
n Inhale through the nose for a count of four.
n Hold each breath for a count of seven.
n Exhale completely through the mouth with a whoosh sound for a count of eight.
n Repeat three more times. Source:
DrWeil.com
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