| Do you want to live forever? Maybe this isn't | | | | relaxations to create awareness and control |
| possible, but you probably do want to live | | | | physical and emotional symptoms of stress. If |
| your life with grace, with health and | | | | you begin a practice of daily deep |
| happiness.Most people are aware that daily | | | | relaxation, to control stress, remember that |
| life can be stressful and that this stress | | | | it may take 4-6 weeks of regular use to begin |
| can affect your health or, at least, your | | | | to see results. It may require 8-12 weeks of |
| quality of life. Everyone has different sets | | | | regular daily use to begin to get the maximum |
| of stressors and everyone has their own | | | | benefits of this program. It takes time to |
| | | | change life-long habits, but empowers you in |
| unique way of responding to these stressors. | | | | ways that you may not have dreamed |
| Though we are all different, it is very | | | | possible.2. ExerciseAt least 5 times per week |
| important to realize that being a "victim" to | | | | of 30 minutes + to reduce muscle tensions, |
| our stressors is virtually universal and with | | | | improve energy levels, and exercise your |
| awareness can be kept to a minimum. Stress | | | | heart. (Consider: walking, yoga, jogging, |
| will and does affect our body's natural | | | | rowing, cross-country skiing, stair climbing, |
| response to aging.Stress can cause, or | | | | hiking, swimming, etc.)3. Diet |
| exacerbate, symptoms like: headaches, neck | | | | NutritionReduce caffeine. Do not depend on |
| aches, back pain, high blood pressure, | | | | alcohol or drugs for stress management. Use |
| stomach symptoms (including pain, poor | | | | good supplementation for important trace |
| absorption, diarrhea, and constipation), | | | | minerals (like chromium, calcium, iron, etc.) |
| heart rate, circulation, sexual dysfunction | | | | and anti-oxidants.4. PlanningKnow your goals |
| (and satisfaction), levels of panic/anxiety, | | | | and work toward them. Do not forget to make |
| depression, some forms of arthritis, and, | | | | plans for your mental development, your |
| most commonly, sleep disturbance problems. | | | | creative and aesthetic needs, your finances, |
| Stress can also play a role in general | | | | career, social interactions with family and |
| health, or concerns regarding: your energy | | | | friends, and your spiritual needs. Never stop |
| levels, your skin, your weight, and your | | | | learning or trying new things.5. |
| levels of performance. The aging process can | | | | CommunicationLearn to really listen! Develop |
| be accelerated in negative ways by | | | | the best skills for finding clarity of your |
| uncontrolled stress.There are subtle ways | | | | thoughts and feelings and then discover the |
| that stress can affect your quality of life. | | | | best ways to appropriately communicate these |
| Even in mid-life we notice that our energy | | | | thoughts. If you focus on what your partner |
| level seems lower. Or we find that we can not | | | | is saying, and not on your response, you will |
| focus on tasks as well as we would like. | | | | be better able to answer concerns or |
| These can be less severe than painful major | | | | objections in a more relaxed and convincing |
| symptoms, but can be stress' way of robbing | | | | way.6. SupportNo man is an island. We need a |
| our enjoyment and reducing our productivity! | | | | community of people both family and friends, |
| We do not have to be victims to | | | | if possible, to support us. Give as much as |
| stress.Awareness and proper self-care which | | | | you get. And remember to let others give to |
| minimizes the impact of stress can assist you | | | | you. (This is difficult, but the greatest |
| in reducing, if not, eliminating the negative | | | | gift you can offer!)7. Spiritual well |
| affects of life's stresses. People live | | | | beingKnow how to connect with your spirit and |
| longer, healthier, happier lives when stress | | | | then make time to do it. Know what brings you |
| is lessened. Productivity, creativity, | | | | joy and happiness, and pursue these |
| increased energy levels, and enhanced ability | | | | activities. Your quest may take you to a |
| to communicate more clearly are all possible | | | | beautiful spot outdoors or a quiet period of |
| positive side-effects from wellness and | | | | reflection in a garden or to an art museum or |
| appropriate stress management.Even though bad | | | | to the park to watch children play...8. |
| habits can begin in childhood, it is never | | | | Positive Mental Attitude/ Avoid |
| too late to learn and develop positive coping | | | | NegativityAvoid negative people and dwelling |
| skills which will enhance your quality of | | | | in negative thoughts. Take good care of |
| life.Understand the issues:How many of us are | | | | yourself and find the positive in every |
| stressed out because our children are growing | | | | experience. Learn from mistakes and laugh at |
| up and the stress they can cause increases | | | | these lessons, especially when these get |
| with their independence (and our lack of | | | | tough.9. AcceptanceBreak from fear and find |
| control over their choices?) How many of us | | | | acceptance for what we all must face. Easier |
| are struggling with aging parents, siblings, | | | | said than done, but when your life includes |
| spouses in ways that increases our levels of | | | | regular self-care you will find the internal |
| daily stress? This is due to our care and | | | | strength and self-love to develop acceptance |
| concern and with our lack of control over the | | | | from deep within. It is amazing what regular |
| issues with these family members.As we | | | | stress management can do to assist you in |
| "mature," we lose some of our strength and | | | | your search for peace and acceptance.10. |
| flexibility. The things that we used to | | | | HumorLaugh out loud daily. Create situations |
| "handle" now seem to get to us. We are not as | | | | where you can find the happiness and humor to |
| balanced as we respond to current issues as | | | | smile and laugh. Make a special quest for |
| well as we would like. Things like: the | | | | fun!L. John Mason, Ph.D. is the author of the |
| economy, the war on terrorism, the media's | | | | best selling "Guide to Stress Reduction." |
| influence over our kids, the state of our | | | | Since 1977, he has offered Executive Coaching |
| neighborhoods, all seem to be able to get to | | | | and Training.Please visit the Stress |
| us more now than ever before. Levels of | | | | Education Center's website at for articles, |
| change which we once craved and embraced, | | | | free ezine signup, and learn about the stress |
| seem more intimidating as we get older. Fears | | | | management products that are available to |
| and anxieties may have a growing negative | | | | you. If you would like information or a |
| impact on us for we do not have the energy, | | | | targeted proposal for training or coaching, |
| strength, or flexibility to adapt as easily | | | | please contact us at (707) 795-2228.If you |
| as we did when we are younger.Here are Ten | | | | are looking to promote your training or |
| Tips for controlling the stress which affect | | | | coaching career, please investigate the |
| our longevity.1. Stress ManagementDaily | | | | Professional Stress Management Training and |
| meditation including moments of appreciation | | | | Certification Program for a secondary source |
| and gratitude. Breathing techniques. Deep | | | | of income or as career path. |