Stress Management

Stress Reduction & Management

Stress Management - Pooled Resources is a SOMWBE certified firm with experience providing stress management trainings to state agency staff, corporations, and the general public. Courses are available at local community education settings.

Stress Reduction - Practical Strategies

What	Why	How
THE BREATH	It is always with us. It has a direct line to the brain and nervous system.	Abdominal breathing promotes relaxation. Alternate nostril breathing promotes calm focus. chewwwweeeee dissipates fear heeeeee balances heat and is calming
EXERCISE	Removes toxins	Whatever you enjoy: walking ... aerobics ... stretching ... yoga ... team sports ... dance
ATTITUDE	Thoughts are things	Monitor your thoughts as a neutral objective witness. When you catch yourself thinking mean thoughts, substitute more positive ideas. Ask "Would I treat anyone else this badly?"
NUTRITION	The body needs the right nutrients to perform well	A well-balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. There is no single correct diet for everyone. Experiment.
AVOID caffeine	It activates the stress response	Find other beverages to enjoy. Don't override real fatigue.
AVOID excess sugar	It taxes the pancreas and will make you sleepy	Choose sweet foods like carrots, dried and raw fruit.
AVOID preservatives	They leave free radicals which are toxic and destroy cell walls	Shop from the margins of the supermarket where fresh whole foods are found.
HUMOR	Laughter is an internal organ workout. Seeing humor in circumstances helps us shift out of stress into joy	Look for the humor in every situation.
PLAY	Sometimes the unexpected happens. Play makes room for it and helps us lighten up.	Write down at least three things you wish you had time for. Then make time to do them in the weeks ahead.

Goal - Develop a regular practice

Why? You are training your body's physiology to respond differently to stimuli, like an athlete training before competing, who must give her muscles a chance to grow. If you wait to apply these routines until you are feeling stressed, they will not be as effective.

Find a time -- first thing in the morning, just before bedtime, at noon --when you can make a habit of taking 15 minutes or so to practice these techniques.