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