Dealing with stress::Dealing with anxiety::Coping with stress::Stress relief::How to manage stress::Yoga stress::Teacher stress:: Stress Student teacher::Occupational Stress

We all talk about stress, but we are not always clear about what it is and how to deal with stress. Stress comes from both the good and the bad things that happen to us. If we did not feel any stress, we would not be alive! Stress becomes a problem when we are not sure how to handle an event or a situation, then we begin dealing with anxiety, worry and we feel "stressed".

Things that cause stress for you may not be a problem for your neighbor, such as occupational stress. Things that bring stress to your friend's life may not worry you at all. It is how you "think about" and "react" to certain events that determine whether you find them stressful or fairly easy to deal with. Your reaction to stress can affect your mental and physical health; so it is important for you to learn how to deal with stress for stress relief.

How to Manage Stress and How to Reduce Stress
Your feelings about the events in your life are very important. By understanding yourself and your reactions to stressful events you can learn to handle stress effectively. The best place to start is by figuring out what produces stress in you, such as:

1. Major events in your life - getting married, changing jobs, moving your home, getting divorced, or coping with the death of a loved one.

2. Long-term worries - concern about your children's future, financial or economic problems, or an ongoing illness.

3. Daily hassles - traffic jams, rude people, or machines that just don't work when you want them to.

The Stress Response
When you find an event stressful your body undergoes a series of changes, called the stress response. There are three stages to this response. They are:

Stage 1 - Mobilizing Energy
At first, your body releases adrenaline, your heart beats faster, and you start to breathe more quickly. Both good and bad events can start this reaction: the night before your wedding or the day you lose your job.

Stage 2 - Consuming Energy Stores
If, for some reason, you do not escape from the first stage, your body begins to release stored sugars and fats from its resources. At this stage, you will feel driven, pressured and tired. You may drink more coffee, smoke more, and drink more alcohol than is good for you. You may also experience anxiety, memory loss, catch colds or get the flu more often than normal.

Stage 3 - Draining Energy Stores
If you do not resolve your stress problems, the body's need for energy will become greater than its ability to produce it, and you will become chronically stressed. At this stage, you may experience insomnia, errors in judgment, and personality changes. You may also develop a serious sickness, such as heart disease, ulcers or mental illness.

Wellness TIPS for COPING with STRESS
Here are easy, practical ways which have helped us stay healthy and enjoy a balanced lifestyle:

1.   Eat moderately and regularly.
2.   Exercise and get plenty of fresh air.
3.   Choose a pleasant occupation.
4.   Develop an easy-going personality.
5.   Maintain great personal hygiene.
6.   Drink wholesome liquids.
7.   Avoid stimulants and sedatives.
8.   Get plenty of rest.
9.   Have a daily bowel movement.
10. Enjoy a healthy, balanced sex life.
11. Get prompt health care when ill.
12. Be in nature at least twice a day.

Over the years we have discovered various food groups and practices which help keep the body and mind balanced - stress FREE.

This Occupational Stress test is not meant to replace a clinical assessment but will help you judge how well you are coping with stress. If your final score is "stressed", you may want to seek help.


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Home Testimonials Yoga Retreats Wellness Workshops Health Holidays Safari Rates and References Masai Stick Technology Videos and Photos Corporate Yoga Online Teacher Training Wellness Tips Contact and Links		WELLNESS TIPS on DEALING with STRESS We all talk about stress, but we are not always clear about what it is and how to deal with stress. Stress comes from both the good and the bad things that happen to us. If we did not feel any stress, we would not be alive! Stress becomes a problem when we are not sure how to handle an event or a situation, then we begin dealing with anxiety, worry and we feel "stressed". Things that cause stress for you may not be a problem for your neighbor, such as occupational stress. Things that bring stress to your friend's life may not worry you at all. It is how you "think about" and "react" to certain events that determine whether you find them stressful or fairly easy to deal with. Your reaction to stress can affect your mental and physical health; so it is important for you to learn how to deal with stress for stress relief. How to Manage Stress and How to Reduce Stress Your feelings about the events in your life are very important. By understanding yourself and your reactions to stressful events you can learn to handle stress effectively. The best place to start is by figuring out what produces stress in you, such as: 1. Major events in your life - getting married, changing jobs, moving your home, getting divorced, or coping with the death of a loved one. 2. Long-term worries - concern about your children's future, financial or economic problems, or an ongoing illness. 3. Daily hassles - traffic jams, rude people, or machines that just don't work when you want them to. The Stress Response When you find an event stressful your body undergoes a series of changes, called the stress response. There are three stages to this response. They are: Stage 1 - Mobilizing Energy At first, your body releases adrenaline, your heart beats faster, and you start to breathe more quickly. Both good and bad events can start this reaction: the night before your wedding or the day you lose your job. Stage 2 - Consuming Energy Stores If, for some reason, you do not escape from the first stage, your body begins to release stored sugars and fats from its resources. At this stage, you will feel driven, pressured and tired. You may drink more coffee, smoke more, and drink more alcohol than is good for you. You may also experience anxiety, memory loss, catch colds or get the flu more often than normal. Stage 3 - Draining Energy Stores If you do not resolve your stress problems, the body's need for energy will become greater than its ability to produce it, and you will become chronically stressed. At this stage, you may experience insomnia, errors in judgment, and personality changes. You may also develop a serious sickness, such as heart disease, ulcers or mental illness. Wellness TIPS for COPING with STRESS Here are easy, practical ways which have helped us stay healthy and enjoy a balanced lifestyle: 1. Eat moderately and regularly. 2. Exercise and get plenty of fresh air. 3. Choose a pleasant occupation. 4. Develop an easy-going personality. 5. Maintain great personal hygiene. 6. Drink wholesome liquids. 7. Avoid stimulants and sedatives. 8. Get plenty of rest. 9. Have a daily bowel movement. 10. Enjoy a healthy, balanced sex life. 11. Get prompt health care when ill. 12. Be in nature at least twice a day. 13. Lower the head below the heart at least 1 minute daily. 14. Move all the body joints through ROM three times a week. 15. Smile as often as you can. Nutritional Tips for DEALING with STRESS Over the years we have discovered various food groups and practices which help keep the body and mind balanced - stress FREE. Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water daily. Consume great sources of protein: fish, free range eggs, tofu, legumes and beans - Reference: The Next Diet for a Small Planet by Frances Moore Lappe. Consume omega 3 rich foods: crushed flax seeds and fish. Enjoy healthy fats: Canola Oil for cooking and Olive Oil for salads. Eat nutritious nuts: almonds, walnuts, cashews and pumpkin seeds. Eat a wide variety of rainbow colored vegetables and fruits daily. Use healthy sweeteners: maple syrup, molasses, brown cane sugar and stevia. Consume healthy grains: oats, brown rice, quinoa, rye, whole wheat, corn, ammarth millet and buck wheat. Use safe dairy products: yogurt and buttermilk. Use the best salt: sea salt. Smile, whistle, humm and laugh as often as you can. Hug someone or something you love often. Floss your teeth and clean your tongue daily. Wash your hands before eating any meal. Take a daily nap. Sleep 8 hours plus, daily. Stretch, strengthen and do Range of Motion Exercises daily. Do some form of cardio exercise – double the heart rate for 20 minutes, every other day. Are you stressed? Try the Yoga Stress test below and find out. This Occupational Stress test is not meant to replace a clinical assessment but will help you judge how well you are coping with stress. If your final score is "stressed", you may want to seek help. Please answer these twenty questions with "Yes" or "No". 1. Do you frequently neglect your diet? Yes No 2. Do you frequently try to do everything yourself? Yes No 3. Do you frequently blow up easily? Yes No 4. Do you frequently seek unrealistic goals? Yes No 5. Do you frequently fail to see the humor in situations others find funny? Yes No 6. Do you frequently get easily irritated? Yes No 7. Do you frequently make a "big deal" of everything? Yes No 8. Do you frequently complain that you are disorganized? Yes No 9. Do you frequently keep everything inside? Yes No 10. Do you frequently neglect exercise? Yes No 11. Do you frequently have few supportive relationships? Yes No 12. Do you frequently get too little rest? Yes No 13. Do you frequently get angry when you are kept waiting? Yes No 14. Do you frequently ignore stress symptoms? Yes No 15. Do you frequently put things off until later? Yes No 16. Do you frequently think there is only one right way to do something? Yes No 17. Do you frequently fail to build relaxation into every day? Yes No 18. Do you frequently spend a lot of time complaining about the past? Yes No 19. Do you frequently race through the day? Yes No 20. Do you frequently feel unable to cope with all you have to do. Yes No