Posts Tagged ‘Relax’

Most smokers argue that they smoke in order to relax. However it is easily shown that smoking actually does the opposite.

Studies show that the stress levels in smokers are generally higher than those in non-smokers. Smokers typically experience what they perceive as normal moods during smoking and worsening moods between cigarettes. The apparent relaxant effect of smoking is actually only a reversal of the tension and irritability that develop during nicotine withdrawal. In simple terms, a lack of cigarettes for a smoker causes stress, that is then reduced by smoking.

Psychologist Andy Parrott, Ph.D., of the University of East London agrees that evidence shows that the apparent relaxant effect of smoking only reflects the reversal of the tension and irritability that develop during lack of nicotine. He comments that “Regular smokers, therefore, experience periods of heightened stress between cigarettes, and smoking briefly restores their stress levels to normal,”

However I would argue that cigarettes don’t even restore stress levels back to ‘normal’. Cigarettes are well known to increase the heart rate and the blood pressure, which exacerbates stress. It would seem plausible to say that a lack cigarettes causes stress, which is only partially remedied by smoking. A cigarette will probably not even quite get you back to normal relaxed levels, although it may feel like it because of the stress it has caused. Most smokers are fooled, or want to be fooled, into thinking that cigarettes are good for helping them deal with stress.

Probably the biggest relaxation benefits a cigarette can provide is the taking 5 minutes out, and the deep breathing from smoking. You must stop what you are doing in order to smoke a cigarette, plus you must take in slow deep breaths when drawing from it. These things are known to greatly help stress levels. However you don’t need to smoke to do this. When you are feeling stressed, simply stop what you are doing for a minute or two, and take a few slow deep breaths. It’s really simple, but highly effective. Try it right now. Put down whatever it is you’re doing and take 5 or 6 slow deep breaths. Close your eyes if this helps.

Doesn’t that feel better?

All you need to do is keep reminding yourself when you are starting to feel a bit stressed to stop what you are doing for a few minutes, and take a few slow deep breaths. 4 or 5 mini breaks like this during your day will make a very profound difference to your stress levels – whether you are a smoker or a non-smoker.

But if you are a smoker, don’t keep kidding yourself into thinking that smoking aids stress, because it doesn’t. The truth is that whilst you are a smoker, those greedy cigarette companies are controlling your stress levels. They are playing with your mind, trying to force you to smoke. They have got you on a cycle of dependency that must be broken. The product they are selling to you is not providing you with anything. And how much are you paying? Instead it takes from you, and gives you some back when you use their product. But it actually leaves you worse off, and you are allowing that to happen.

Do yourself a favour – Become a non-smoker today. Take your life in your own hands, and be happier, healthier, and save cash as well.

If you want help quitting smoking, then I REALLY recommend Quit Smoking Hypnotherapy. It has recently done a great job helping both my Mum and Dad quit smoking after a combination of 72 years as smokers. They have not smoked for more than two months so far, and although they are giving each other great support, they both admit they couldn’t have done it without Quit Smoking Hypnosis. They are already happier and healthier than I have seen them for years. A real source of inspiration to show that it can be done at ANY age, no matter how long you have been smoking.

It’s a well-known fact that pets can boost our spirits – research has repeatedly demonstrated this over the years. So it’s not surprising that animals are being increasingly used to improve health and well being in various walks of life. Need more evidence that your pet can help you de-stress? Read on for 5 areas where pets can help alleviate some everyday stresses:

• Exam Stress
Various colleges, including Tufts University and UC San Diego, now employ therapy dogs to help relieve exam-associated anxiety. Students get to pet, feed and play with the dogs, allowing them some smiles as well as a much-needed break to counteract the monotony of studying. In addition to the immediate stress relief, experts report that simply petting a dog can have longer lasting effects and can help produce better exam results. Allowing yourself the chance to clear your mind of exam thoughts seems to improve the ability to retain information, and therefore help the learning process.

• The Mind
Pets play a crucial role in emotional health and can certainly bring us many psychological benefits. They greatly reduce feelings of loneliness in people who live alone, not only through companionship, but also because they improve social interactions by becoming a topic of conservation with others. They also serve as a great, natural anti-depressant – research has shown that petting animals can help increase the release of endorphins and other chemicals in the body that are linked with pleasure.

• The Body
Owning a pet seems to be correlated with improved general health in people. Research studies from UCLA and Cambridge University both reported that pet owners apparently make fewer visits to their doctor. And additionally, a study of Medicare patients demonstrated that dog-owning seniors made fewer doctor visits than those without a dog. A large Australian study also determined that pet owners needed less medication for conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and high cholesterol.

• Self Esteem
Research studies have also demonstrated a link between pet ownership and improved self-esteem in children. Additionally, pets apparently help children develop empathy as well as improving their cognitive abilities.

• Family Life
It’s common for pet owners to describe their pet as “part of the family”. Pets are reported to enhance the quality of family life in numerous ways, including minimizing tension between family members, as well as helping them to develop increased compassion for living things. One survey of US families described the important role of pets during stressful events such as a family crisis or the death of someone close.

So it’s official – pets are good for your mind, and your body. If you don’t already own a pet, it’s time to think about adding one to your life. They’re just what the doctor ordered!

This article was created by Mey Lau, one of the invisible dog fence supplies and dog containment experts at www.dogfencediy.com.

Parenthood is awesome. Parenthood is stressful. Parenthood makes me laugh till I cry and weep with joy. And it can also leave me standing in the middle of the kitchen weeping from sheer exhaustion. From the outside looking in, these kids are innocent and cute and cuddly. And all of that’s true. But day in and day out, they fight and they scream and they always. need. something. They always need you.

And yes, you can take the occasional day off. You might even squeeze in a weekend away, but is that enough? Most definitely, no. Parents need a reprieve in the heat of the battle. We don’t necessarily want to run away from our children (okay, maybe sometimes we do); we just want to survive the day without weeping.

Here are five ways that I’ve learned to relax while caring for my children.

#1. Nap. It seems so simple, but parents just don’t do it. We’re so driven to “get stuff done” when the kids are asleep. Yes, it’s true, naptime is the golden hour to get stuff done, but this doesn’t mean we have to use it every day. Once in a while, lie down with your children (or in a different room) and take an honest to goodness nap. My oldest thinks herself “too old for naps,” and really doesn’t take them anymore. But still, every once in a while, I tell her, “Mama needs to rest today, so you don’t have to take a nap, but we are going to rest.” I tell her she doesn’t have to sleep, but she has to be quiet and rest, because rest is important. And she does it. She often looks at a book, but she stays horizontal and she’s quiet. If you’re worried about escapees, utilize childproof doorknobs and toddler gates. Even if you don’t actually fall asleep, you will at least get a moment to relax. The laundry can wait. Really, it can.

#2. Amoratherapy. I diffuse essential oils in my home nearly every day. If I’m feeling tense or anxious, I diffuse lavender oil. If I can’t keep my eyes open, I use lemongrass oil to perk myself up. I tell you the truth – it really helps! And my kids love it too! Be sure to use real essential oils and not synthetic fragrance oils. And if you don’t have a diffuser, just wear a little oil like a perfume.

#3. Walk. It might sound counterintuitive, but it really works. Take a nice long walk and it will relax you and your kids. And if you tire out your kids, it will make an easier day for you! If it’s cold out, bundle everyone up and make it a (short) adventure. Fresh air and getting your body moving will definitely help you unwind.

#4. Classical music. My kids complained at first because they wanted “cool music,” but after a few days, they started to like it. At first, I was reluctant to play music in the house, as I didn’t want anything to add to the constant noise, but classical was different. It didn’t feel like noise – it felt like a layer of serenity.

#5. Yoga. Your kids can do yoga! They even make kids’ yoga videos if you need some guidance. (Or just look it up on YouTube.) It won’t be the same as a true adult yoga class, as your kids will still be giggling and making comments, but it will be yogic enough to provide you with some of the many benefits of yoga, including de-stressing!

Author Bio

This article was created by the team at www.babysignlanguage.com the most complete resource to help you explore sign language for babies.