| Do you want to live forever? Maybe this isn't | | | | and control physical and emotional symptoms of |
| possible, but you probably do want to live your | | | | stress. If you begin a practice of daily deep |
| life with grace, with health and happiness.Most | | | | relaxation, to control stress, remember that it |
| people are aware that daily life can be stressful | | | | may take 4-6 weeks of regular use to begin to |
| and that this stress can affect your health or, at | | | | see results. It may require 8-12 weeks of regular |
| least, your quality of life. Everyone has different | | | | daily use to begin to get the maximum benefits |
| sets of stressors and everyone has their own | | | | of this program. It takes time to change life-long |
| unique way of responding to these stressors. | | | | habits, but empowers you in ways that you may |
| Though we are all different, it is very important | | | | not have dreamed possible.2. ExerciseAt least 5 |
| to realize that being a "victim" to our stressors is | | | | times per week of 30 minutes + to reduce |
| virtually universal and with awareness can be kept | | | | muscle tensions, improve energy levels, and |
| to a minimum. Stress will and does affect our | | | | exercise your heart. (Consider: walking, yoga, |
| body's natural response to aging.Stress can cause, | | | | jogging, rowing, cross-country skiing, stair climbing, |
| or exacerbate, symptoms like: headaches, neck | | | | hiking, swimming, etc.)3. Diet/NutritionReduce |
| aches, back pain, high blood pressure, stomach | | | | caffeine. Do not depend on alcohol or drugs for |
| symptoms (including pain, poor absorption, | | | | stress management. Use good supplementation |
| diarrhea, and constipation), heart rate, circulation, | | | | for important trace minerals (like chromium, |
| sexual dysfunction (and satisfaction), levels of | | | | calcium, iron, etc.) and anti-oxidants.4. |
| panic/anxiety, depression, some forms of arthritis, | | | | PlanningKnow your goals and work toward them. |
| and, most commonly, sleep disturbance problems. | | | | Do not forget to make plans for your mental |
| Stress can also play a role in general health, or | | | | development, your creative and aesthetic needs, |
| concerns regarding: your energy levels, your skin, | | | | your finances, career, social interactions with |
| your weight, and your levels of performance. The | | | | family and friends, and your spiritual needs. Never |
| aging process can be accelerated in negative | | | | stop learning or trying new things.5. |
| ways by uncontrolled stress.There are subtle | | | | CommunicationLearn to really listen! Develop the |
| ways that stress can affect your quality of life. | | | | best skills for finding clarity of your thoughts and |
| Even in mid-life we notice that our energy level | | | | feelings and then discover the best ways to |
| seems lower. Or we find that we can not focus | | | | appropriately communicate these thoughts. If you |
| on tasks as well as we would like. These can be | | | | focus on what your partner is saying, and not on |
| less severe than painful major symptoms, but can | | | | your response, you will be better able to answer |
| be stress' way of robbing our enjoyment and | | | | concerns or objections in a more relaxed and |
| reducing our productivity! We do not have to be | | | | convincing way.6. SupportNo man is an island. We |
| victims to stress.Awareness and proper self-care | | | | need a community of people both family and |
| which minimizes the impact of stress can assist | | | | friends, if possible, to support us. Give as much as |
| you in reducing, if not, eliminating the negative | | | | you get. And remember to let others give to you. |
| affects of life's stresses. People live longer, | | | | (This is difficult, but the greatest gift you can |
| healthier, happier lives when stress is lessened. | | | | offer!)7. Spiritual well beingKnow how to connect |
| Productivity, creativity, increased energy levels, | | | | with your spirit and then make time to do it. |
| and enhanced ability to communicate more clearly | | | | Know what brings you joy and happiness, and |
| are all possible positive side-effects from wellness | | | | pursue these activities. Your quest may take you |
| and appropriate stress management.Even though | | | | to a beautiful spot outdoors or a quiet period of |
| bad habits can begin in childhood, it is never too | | | | reflection in a garden or to an art museum or to |
| late to learn and develop positive coping skills | | | | the park to watch children play...8. Positive Mental |
| which will enhance your quality of life.Understand | | | | Attitude/ Avoid NegativityAvoid negative people |
| the issues:How many of us are stressed out | | | | and dwelling in negative thoughts. Take good care |
| because our children are growing up and the | | | | of yourself and find the positive in every |
| stress they can cause increases with their | | | | experience. Learn from mistakes and laugh at |
| independence (and our lack of control over their | | | | these lessons, especially when these get tough.9. |
| choices?) How many of us are struggling with | | | | AcceptanceBreak from fear and find acceptance |
| aging parents, siblings, spouses in ways that | | | | for what we all must face. Easier said than done, |
| increases our levels of daily stress? This is due to | | | | but when your life includes regular self-care you |
| our care and concern and with our lack of control | | | | will find the internal strength and self-love to |
| over the issues with these family members.As | | | | develop acceptance from deep within. It is |
| we "mature," we lose some of our strength and | | | | amazing what regular stress management can do |
| flexibility. The things that we used to "handle" now | | | | to assist you in your search for peace and |
| seem to get to us. We are not as balanced as | | | | acceptance.10. HumorLaugh out loud daily. Create |
| we respond to current issues as well as we would | | | | situations where you can find the happiness and |
| like. Things like: the economy, the war on | | | | humor to smile and laugh. Make a special quest for |
| terrorism, the media's influence over our kids, the | | | | fun!L. John Mason, Ph.D. is the author of the best |
| state of our neighborhoods, all seem to be able to | | | | selling "Guide to Stress Reduction." Since 1977, he |
| get to us more now than ever before. Levels of | | | | has offered Executive Coaching and |
| change which we once craved and embraced, | | | | Training.Please visit the Stress Education Center's |
| seem more intimidating as we get older. Fears | | | | website at for articles, free ezine signup, and learn |
| and anxieties may have a growing negative | | | | about the stress management products that are |
| impact on us for we do not have the energy, | | | | available to you. If you would like information or a |
| strength, or flexibility to adapt as easily as we did | | | | targeted proposal for training or coaching, please |
| when we are younger.Here are Ten Tips for | | | | contact us at (707) 795-2228.If you are looking to |
| controlling the stress which affect our longevity.1. | | | | promote your training or coaching career, please |
| Stress ManagementDaily meditation including | | | | investigate the Professional Stress Management |
| moments of appreciation and gratitude. Breathing | | | | Training and Certification Program for a secondary |
| techniques. Deep relaxations to create awareness | | | | source of income or as career path. |