Easy Stress Busters

We all hate STRESS, but it seems to be an unavoidable part of modern life. The worst part of stress, is that daily stress can lead to a number of health related conditions, such as: high blood pressure, heart disease, mental and emotional problems. So, I thought the quick stress busters suggested in the 8/5/07 issue of Parade magazine, was a great ideal. They were all quick and easy ways to combat stress in five minutes:

• MEDITATION Ranging from deep breathing to moments of silence, it serves the purpose of shutting out obsessive worries by focusing your mind and body on the present.

• EXERCISE Something as simple as the inversion position, can help remove stress. One move involved just lying in bed with your legs up in the air. This position helps to combat "the effects of gravity on your circulatory system and is thought to help with varicose veins."

• TALKING TO A FRIEND It has been found that putting feelings into words can help lessen stress. So, sharing your feelings with a few close friends, can help to reduce stress and depression. And, if you talk to a funny friend all the better, since laughter improves your mood and may boost your immune system.

• REFLECT ON DAY'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS We usually lie in bed at night, stressing about all the things we didn't get done. Instead, we can build self-esteem, "a key factor in combating stress," by listing at least three things we did accomplish that day. What a positive way to end your day!

We may not be able to control all the stress that comes our way in life, but we can certainly find ways to lessen or even bust some of the everyday stress we are confronted with.