Stress experts recommend setting aside at lest 15-20min a day to focus on caring for your self. Just a small amount of self care care daily can be very beneficial. Many of us are short on time and have increasing life demands. Our brains are wired with an alarm system for our protection. When hit with stress our body releases a surge of hormones, our “flight-or-fight”  response. Unfortunately stress, fear and worry can keep our alarm system sounding non-stop.

The damage caused by stress is severe. Stress symptoms in our body can arise as headache, exhaustion, chest pain, sleep issues, digestion  issues. Or moods can reflect stress with anxiety, sadness, irritability. Stress will show in our behavior with emotional outbursts, overrating, isolation.

This is why stress relief and prevention has to be top priority. Without a system in place we will find ourselves always pushed to the edge. Over time that can equal serious health issues and premature aging. The good news is that if we put firmly in place an array of tools to reset our body, mind and soul we can care for and protect ourselves. I will share with you several tools we encourage our clients at CIC to do but mixing it up and having a variety of options is key. We encourage everyone to be open minded and try different things.

Stress Relief and Exercise and more!

1. Acupuncture:  I recently tried acupuncture despite fear of needles with Caroline Jung at Tiffany Kim Institutes and she is exceptional. The results are simply profound. Acupuncture is a form of Chinese Medicine that can be traced back to at least 2,500 years ago.
2. Water Therapy: Refers to water – based treatments and recreation to promote relaxation, fitness and mental health. Such as a hot bath, heat quiets and soothes body. Swimming out doors refreshes us mentally. Any activity involving water will do wonders. Water therapy dates back to ancient Greeks.
3. Forest (Nature) Therapy: Refers to all activities done out in nature like hiking, walking, camping. It is proven to improve health by relieving stress and strengthening immune system. In China Forest Therapy is a critical part of the health care regamine of many.
4. Aroma Therapy: Is a form of alternative medicine that uses essential oils from plants to reduce stress,  lift mood and over all good health. With such a vast array of options to choose from its a fantastic idea to go to a oil specialty shop. Oils can be put on diffusers, in hot bath, on pillow, with massage to name a few. It’s a way to return to nature indoors. Aromatherapy can be traced back more than 3,500 years ago used by the ancient Egyptians.
5. Yoga: is a spiritual discipline including breath control, simple meditation, specific body postures and is widely used for health and relaxation. There are a wide variety of styles to try. I have really enjoyed bikram yoga!