Archive for the ‘Techniques’ Category
Reduce Stress At Work
One of the biggest causes of stress in peoples’ lives is undoubtedly work. In the workplace stress can come from almost every angle, whether it’s the tasks you are expected to do, the people you work with, your boss(es) or the lack of space around you. There are ways to reduce stress at the workplace so you can go home feeling much more calm than you normally would. All you have to do is use the following office relaxation techniques.
Breathe Deeply
If you feel things getting on top of you stop what you are doing and take ten deep breaths. This will properly oxygenate your blood giving you a new burst of energy while lowering stress levels. This is perhaps the most powerful office relaxation technique there
Eliminate Clutter
Don't let stress at work make you ill.
If you work at a desk or in a confined space try your best to keep it neat and tidy. Eliminating clutter can be very therapeutic and it also means that when you need to find something quickly you will be able to do so without turning the place upside down and creating unnecessary stress.
One Task At a Time
Multitasking creates a lot of stress as the mind struggles to focus on more than one activity at once. Some believe that multitasking saves time but this is a fallacy. Instead you should write a list of tasks you need to do and complete them in order of importance. You will be able to focus better on each task and your quality of work will actually improve without wasting any time.
For more about this read my previous article The Stress of Multitasking.
Take Your Break Outside
Most workplaces will give you two ten or fifteen minute breaks along with half an hour for lunch. First things first, no matter how much work you have to do you should always take your breaks. Time away from your desk will give you mind a chance to rest and you will feel refocused when you return.
To get the most from your break, if the weather is nice, you should take it outside. Fresh air is rejuvenating and you can take the opportunity to go for a quick walk. This is a great way to reduce stress.
Stay Away From Negative People and Conversations
There’s always going to be a group of negative people at any workplace. Do your best to steer clear of these kind of people as they will drag you down with them. Similarly negative conversations will also put you in a negative frame of mind so try to be positive at all times.
Learn To Say No
Unfortunately some people will try to take advantages of others at work by coercing them to do their work for them. If a boss or colleague is heaping work on you faster than you can finish it you have to put your foot down, say no, and tell them that you simply can’t do it without the amount of other things you need to do.
You’d be surprised how many people try and pass work on that really they should be doing themselves. Don’t allow yourself to be a doormat in this way.
It can be hard to summon the courage to say no but one way to gain the mental strength required is with hypnosis. HypnoBusters sell an effective session on MP3 appropriately titled Say No Hypnosis.
Reducing stress at work can take some effort but it really is worthwhile. Most people spend around a third of their weekdays either at work or travelling to work so if you can reduce or eliminate the stress this causes you are well on your way to be a totally calm and relaxed human being.
A Guided Relaxation Exercise
The first thing I’d like to do is to wish all the readers of Relaxation Haven a happy, healthy and relaxed 2010. If you haven’t already you should check out the last article I wrote which was all about New Year’s Resolutions – how to choose them and how to successfully follow them.
For now though I’ve found a great guided relaxation exercise. It takes just under fifteen minutes to complete and mixes a number of techniques from a variety of relaxation methods. After you have finished the guided relaxation exercise you can expect to feel your muscles very loose and limp and your mind refreshed from the stresses of the day.
Right click the link below to save it to your computer.
Guided Relaxation Exercise Download
Resource: Exercise To Reduce Tummy – Worried about your bulging tummy? Easy and effective exercises to reduce your tummy at your doorsteps.
An Overview of Yoga
Evidence of the practice of yoga goes as far back as 3000 BC. Archaeologists have found seals of the Indus Valley Civilization depicting people as well as godlike entities in various forms of meditative and yogic poses. The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit yuj, which means to unionize. This is in reference to the way yoga unionizes the mind and the body.
The Purpose and Goals of Yoga
A young woman in a yoga stretch.
The original purpose of yoga was a spiritual one. While spirituality has almost disappeared from Western society we have still managed to find a place for yoga in our lives. A poll taken in 2006 revealed that over fifteen million Americans practice yoga on at least a semi-regular basis. Now people tend to treat yoga as another form of exercise, a way to improve flexibility and overall fitness, however without even realising many of these people will feel the mental benefits yoga provides. Through a combination of physical poses, breathing techniques and meditation yoga you will feel much more centred, calm and relaxed after you have practiced yoga.
The goals of yoga depend on the individual. Some practice yoga to loosen their muscles, others to find enlightenment, while others still do it to reduce their stress levels and relax after a busy day. Whatever your goal yoga can probably help you to achieve it. And the great thing about yoga is it can be tailored to anyone of any age, size or level of fitness.
Getting Started
It’s hard to describe many yoga positions or exercises textually which is why I posted a video earlier which contains a great beginners guide to yoga. You might like to try these exercises for a few weeks before purchasing a DVD full of yoga exercises or alternatively many leisure/rec centres and gyms hold regular yoga classes with fully qualified instructors.
Useful Yoga Resources
Here are a number of sites, articles and videos that you might to like to visit to find out a little more about yoga and its many positive effects.
Disabled Vet Walks Again Thanks to Yoga *MUST SEE*