STRESS: HOW TO REDUCE STRESS

Apr 07 2009

• Go on the Metabolism-Balancing Program. (Make sure you are drinking the required amount of fluid each day.)

• Reduce your work, exercise and socialising load.

• Get plenty of sleep and recreation.

• Do the deep breathing and mental relaxation exercises.

• Pamper yourself with regular warm baths and massages.

• Take time out to listen to music.

• Take time out to laugh. Read humorous books, watch comedies on TV or at the movies.

• Recent research has shown that watching nature documentaries on TV lowers stress hormone, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Reading animal stories does the same thing. Many of my highly stressed patients have received great benefits from reading the All Creatures Great and Small series of books about the adventures of the Yorkshire vet, James Herriot, and the interesting characters (both animal and human) he encounters on a daily basis. Read before bed for a restful sleep.

• Don’t drive the car above the speed limit. Speeding will rev you up and keep you revved up for the rest of the day as you tend to move quickly at all other activities after speeding. It is when we speed that we discover the idiots on the road who get us uptight. When we slow down it’s amazing how they disappear.

• Don’t perch yourself on the edge of chairs. This tightens all your muscles from the lower back to the top of the neck. Sit back, use the backrest whether at home or work.