| What is stress? | | | | aromatic oils or rose petals. Determine the stress |
| Our body is subjected to constant changes in the | | | | causing elements and be creative in finding solutions |
| environment that affect us both physically and | | | | befitting your hectic schedule to not let them hamper |
| emotionally influencing the way we feel, behave and | | | | your life. Sit by the fireplace and quietly watch the |
| react in various situations. This weathering that the | | | | dancing flames, stroll on the beach and soak in the sun |
| body undergoes under varied pressures of life is | | | | while enjoying the beauty of the sea, gently pet your |
| stress. Although stress is the root cause of many | | | | favorite animal, lie in the backyard in a hammock, sit by |
| common health disorders, it isn't always harmful. | | | | the lake, watch the sun go down behind the pine trees, |
| Increase in stress upto a certain level boosts | | | | look at the star-studded night sky or simply play with |
| productivity. Stress can motivate an individual to win a | | | | your kids. Keep your mind engaged with matters other |
| race or perform well academically. This is positive | | | | than business or family if they bring about stress in |
| stress which encourages the individual to improvise | | | | your life. |
| and achieve goals which he would not have | | | | Try the deep relaxation/meditation techniques of Yoga. |
| accomplished otherwise. But when the level of stress | | | | The rewards of yoga are endless, both physically and |
| overwhelms us and exceeds a certain limit, different | | | | mentally. Practiced for centuries, yoga, whose other |
| biological responses are triggered resulting in increased | | | | word is meditation, massages the internal organs as |
| heart rate, headache, elevated blood pressure, | | | | well as energizes the soul. Essentially, regular exercise |
| insomnia, muscle tension, rashes, ulcers and | | | | of yoga can magically treat stress and various health |
| accelerated breathing which might lead to life | | | | disorders. It stimulates the muscles in the various body |
| threatening health disorders. Major trauma like death of | | | | parts in a non-strenuous manner and brings about |
| a loved one, events like losing friendship, having a baby, | | | | flexibility in those areas which were never so much |
| credit card debts, high electric bill, relocation to a new | | | | worked upon before thus lubricating the joints, |
| town, academic failure, loss of a job, marriage, falling | | | | ligaments and tendons comprehensively. Muscles are |
| hair, rush-hour traffic, annoying boss or neighbor, | | | | admirably toned by gentle stretching and massage |
| parenting teens, chronic illness, heavy responsibilities, | | | | which facilitates blood circulation in the entire body. This, |
| performing before a huge audience or a new | | | | on the other hand, detoxifies the body by quick |
| relationship- all can produce stress which bring about | | | | elimination of wastes from even the farthest corners |
| negative effects on the body. So, no stress as well as | | | | of the body thus keeping a myriad of infections and |
| too much stress, both are harmful. One must find the | | | | health disorders at bay. Active blood circulation also |
| balance and utilize stress for his benefit and | | | | means efficient transport of nutrients which attributes |
| improvement. | | | | to prompt healing of wounds, delayed ageing, a boost |
| Stress and the Exercise Connection | | | | in stamina, improved digestion, dodging disability, |
| Researchers are working around the clock to gain | | | | enhanced breathing, rejuvenation of skin and radiation |
| command over stress or fight it more efficiently. Since | | | | of confidence. You will discover a new vigor in life. |
| it is detrimental to health, relationships and life as a | | | | Most importantly, the goal of yoga is to attune body |
| whole, it is essential for every individual to take charge | | | | with mind and soul. |
| and manage stress. To beat stress and make life | | | | Many yoga exercises are easy and have a magical |
| more relaxed and peaceful, there is no alternative to | | | | effect on the students performing yoga. Regular |
| exercise. | | | | practice of yoga will relieve you of physical pain and |
| Exercise is fun. | | | | stress giving you a positive outlook towards life and |
| Identify what activities you enjoy the most and try to | | | | enlightenment of soul. It is the exercise of the body as |
| include them within your daily routine. Exercising builds | | | | well as the mind. Thousands have been aroused by |
| up your physical reserves and helps you fight stress | | | | yoga's magical touch and have benefited from it. In |
| more efficiently. You should exercise at least four | | | | essence, the centuries old healing process of yoga will |
| times each week for thirty minutes each session. Any | | | | transform your life at the spiritual level. |
| time best suitable for you can be the time for exercise. | | | | Practice these moderate exercises. |
| Simple repetitive exercises like cycling, swimming, | | | | Workplace is the main culprit source of stress in most |
| jogging, walking, hiking, racquet sports, dancing, skiing | | | | cases. So, here are some workplace stress busting |
| and aerobics are some of the best known stress | | | | exercises that are very easy to follow routinely- |
| busters. Doctors of patients of depression often | | | | 1. Deep breathing: |
| recommend these exercises to free the mind of | | | | Inhale deeply. Fill in your lungs with as much air as |
| tension. You should rejoice in any kind of exercise | | | | possible, then exhale. A fresh dose of oxygen will |
| activity otherwise it will feel like a chore and gradually | | | | recharge your batteries. |
| you'll abstain from it. Remember to warm up and cool | | | | 2. Neck roll: |
| down before and after you start your exercise | | | | Roll your neck clockwise and then anti-clockwise 10-15 |
| program to avoid injury. Gentle stretching exercises | | | | times each way. This relieves tension around the neck |
| are considered best for the warm ups and cool | | | | and shoulder regions. The same can be achieved by |
| downs. Exercises help you sleep better and start a | | | | looking left, as far back as possible and then looking |
| whole new day with new vigor and an enhanced | | | | right the same way. Repeat 10 times. |
| feeling of self-esteem. | | | | 3. Rub: |
| Shape up and build confidence. | | | | Gently give yourself a neck and shoulder rub. Find |
| Shed those excess fat, control weight, tone your | | | | yourself revived. |
| muscles, increase flexibility, rejuvenate skin and radiate | | | | 4. Bends: |
| confidence through exercises. Ward off stress while | | | | Stand up with feet 1 foot apart. Lift your arms. Gently |
| exercising moderately at a comfortable pace and | | | | bend backwards and forwards, left and right, 5 times. |
| slowly speed up to improve stamina and efficiency. | | | | This stretching exercise is great for the back muscles |
| Burning calories fuel you up with new vigor to energize | | | | which get easily strained because of sitting at the |
| the body throughout the day. When you are full of | | | | same spot for hours. |
| confidence you trust yourself and accomplish those | | | | 5. Chest stretch: |
| goals you thought were impossible to achieve. | | | | Stand tall with feet 1 foot apart. Lift and stretch your |
| Stay healthy. | | | | arms straight and forward. Slowly inhale to the fullest |
| Poor health is one of the leading causes of stress. | | | | while moving your arms to the sides. Keep arms at the |
| Regular exercise improves blood circulation and | | | | same level. Hold for 5 seconds. Exhale and bring the |
| promotes oxygen supply to the vital organs of the | | | | arms back together to the front. Feel the relief. |
| body thus strengthening the immune system, lungs and | | | | 6. Hand stretch: |
| heart which in turn fight diseases more efficiently and | | | | Interlock fingers. Extent arms forward at shoulder |
| the body becomes less vulnerable to various health | | | | height and palms facing out. Hold for 10 seconds. |
| conditions. Exercise boosts liver functions, digestive | | | | Repeat 10 times. This stretches shoulders, hands, |
| activities, metabolism, intestinal movements and kidney | | | | wrists and upper back and relieves tension around |
| functions thus keeping constipation, diabetes and | | | | them. |
| arthritis at bay. Exercise makes you feel better and | | | | 7. Back stretch: |
| live happier. | | | | Stand tall with feet 1 foot apart and hands on the |
| Change your focus. | | | | waist. Twist your upper body and turn back as much |
| A daily exercise regime keeps your mind off of the | | | | as possible. Hold for 5 seconds and come back to the |
| mundane routine and stressful thoughts and channels | | | | starting position. Repeat with the other side. This is |
| your energy for productive purposes. You mind stays | | | | particularly good for stretching the middle back. |
| alert and occupied with the potentials of the brighter | | | | Any exercise is stress relieving. Actually when we |
| side of life. Combat stress and enjoy the beauties of | | | | exercise, the brain releases endorphins, that are natural |
| life. | | | | painkillers which give a sense of being healthful thus |
| Indulge in restful exercises. | | | | enhancing the overall mood and of course, that will |
| Do whatever is good for you. Take positive steps to | | | | make you sleep better. So, start exercising and get rid |
| reduce stress. Laugh aloud with friends and family, go | | | | of stress sooner than later. |
| for an outing or just soak in the tub with some | | | | |