Step 2 – Relaxation

Life is stressful, even at its best, and stress is inextricably linked to disease and shorter lifespan. But you hold the keys to your stress level and can take conscious steps to deal constructively with stressors in order to make you feel better and give yourself a chance to live longer.

Stress Management

There is no way to eliminate all stress and avoid all future stress. Managing your stress boils down to lifestyle (the choices you make on a daily basis) and attitude (your outlook on life).

Seeking balance amongst the components of your life is a good start for a relaxed lifestyle.

Time management—maintain a plan to organize your time and avoid over commitment

Priorities—checking and resetting your priorities ensures you do what is important and allow yourself time for spontaneity and relaxation

Relationships—maintaining close interpersonal relationships are essential, providing an outlet for emotional energy and a network of understanding

Implementing the 4 C’s into your daily life can help you develop and maintain a positive constructive attitude.

1. Challenge—choosing a difficult objective worthy of your efforts
2. Commitment—staying on task to meet the challenge
3. Curiosity—cultivating an open mind and a desire to learn
4. Creativity—using your imagination to innovate

Sleep

Without proper sleep, it is physically impossible to maintain a positive attitude, adequate energy level or a healthy body. Sleep allows us to recharge, heal, commit learned information to memory, and more.

To encourage better sleep quality, make sure to maintain a calm and quiet sleeping environment and try these seven steps to improve your rest: eat right, exercise regularly, manage your stress, relax before bed, cut down on caffeine, examine whether you have sleep apnea, and consider a natural supplement if you need help getting to sleep and staying there.

Tips for Relaxation

DO

• Take breaks from your “have to” tasks (work, chores etc.)
  
  
• Exercise regularly
  
  
• Laugh and play often — Laughter reduces pain, increases job performance, connects people emotionally, improves the flow of oxygen to the heart and brain, and reduces cortisol levels
  
  
• Meditate or try yoga – A few basic poses help improve your balance and core strength, improving fitness level and promoting a feeling of ease.
  
  
• Learn how to give a great massage… and then teach the recipient to give one back!
  
  
• Breathe easier

DO NOT

• Eat a poor diet – Junk food weighs down your cells, but good nutrition energizes the body and gives it the fuel needed for long term health
  
  
• Overdo alcohol, caffeine or prescription drugs
  
  
• Skimp on sleep – Catching up on your lost sleep can make you smarter and stronger
• Internalize stress

Making a conscious effort to take care of your emotional health can obviously make you happier. It can also make you healthier and that means you’re on the track to a longer and better life.

Go to Step 3 where we discuss “A”ssessment.