Manage stress with mindfulness

You might have been wondering if there is something, which could dramatically relieve stress, improve your mental health and physical well-being. Without doubt meditation is a great stress reliever, but mindfulness is even better. By learning mindfulness you will find an easy and efficient tool that can help:

1. Reduce stress (up to 40%) and achieve deep relaxation.
   
2. Reduce anxiety (up 20%) and panic attacks (up to 50 %).
3. Achieve tranquility, resilience and peace of mind.
4. Open up your life in joyful ways.
   
5. Grow, evolve and discover your life's calling.
   
6. Cure restlessness and insomnia.
   
7. Rejuvenate the mind and body.
   
   Check it out for real - online. Click here to Relieve stress now                                

                                                     

Candle in the Wind

             
                                                                       
                           Take a look at this... What do you see, or what do you think?

                                                                                                                     

                                                          MINDFUL HYPNOSIS

                                               Try to keep looking at or staring into it -
                                                       does it burn in your eyes?

                                                  Do any thoughts come to mind?
                                          Is you consciousness blowing in the wind?

                                        Now, try to suspend thinking - any thoughts.....

                                                       Did that blow your mind?

                                                     Then discover mindfulness...

                                                             It is not that silly

The mind's eye

In our mind's eye the world is something we can control, perceive and explore. We like to play and often behave like the world is our toy store - full of barbies, puzzles and the like. Like a child we may think we want or can have it all. Part of our adult upbringing in life is learning about restrictions. We cannot or do not get everything and may start to mourn or feel pitiful, but what if we became more selective in our choices? Then we would not get as stressed trying to live up to a personal frenzy of exaltation or other people's expectations. If we look inside and use discernment, we can learn what matters most to us, and what is more or less useless...

                                                                 

                                                          Use your inner goggles
                                                                 It is a choice

Acceptance

An important ingredient of mindfulness is ACCEPTANCE. You have probably heard the saying that we should only try to change the things we can, and accept those we cannot. Climate change, for instance, may be a relevant issue, but our emotional states most certainly affect the "atmosphere". We could think or talk about "greener grass", but what if this simply means we should find a gardener to cut or take care of the lawn for us? Either way, we have a choice. We can say yes or no, be happy or dissatisfied. In this way, life in the balance depends on our perception and levels of acceptance....

                                                     Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall

Stress-Ville

Stress-Ville is not a village on a remote mountain top. You know, it is a city - full of cars, exhaust, loud noises and flashing neon lights. It is found all over the planet in places like Moscow and New York with Big Macs n' skyscrapers. We live inside or on the outskirts of their limits, commute and ride freeway queues. If we live in the center we can enjoy city-life and be prone to wander, and shop till we drop. But if we really want to find some relief from Stress-----Ville we need to find a place of silence, somewhere green like a park or simply get out. Green trees have a soothing and calming effect on the mind, body and spirit. Just laying in the grass staring at the tree tops can reverse any stress build-up. If you take a friend or lover or two with you for a picnic you can experience an all-in-one-Bliss....

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.”
John Lubbock

The dawn

There is always a new dawn - or is it dusk already? As days come and go, the sun sets later in your life. Sure, but do you take any notice? When did you last take a break to appreciate the simple fact you are alive and able to b-r-e-a-t-h-e. Looked at the sky in the morning, spent all day doing or worrying about nothing, and forgot all about time, and place before the next dawn arrived?

                                                       WHAT WONDER

Awareness

Aware-ness derives from being aware. It is another word for attentiveness or non-mindlessness. When we are be(com)ing aware - it is like the whole reality takes on a different color or tone. We may suddenly experience things the way they are - in stereo - instead of mono. We can listen to music, but hear different notes and sounds. We may see living images like they appear on film. We notice flowers emanating with scents, and trees whispering to the vibrations of the wind. Clouds suddenly wash the sky with anticipation, and the Sun keeps blessing the Earth with a warm, de-lightful radiance....                  

                                                                 

Breakthrough

                                                               

An apple a day...

You have probably heard about mindful living or that..."an apple a day keeps the doctor away". Indeed, apples are packed with all kinds of polyphenols that can bring down medical risks and insurance bills. It is very mindful just eating apples. Here is one for you - if you wanna take a bite, go ahead:

CC 2.0 Generic

Have you ever pondered this also has a way to take you away from firewalls, spyware and IT? That is quite mindful. Now, think on this: What if your mouth and stomach were always full of "mindfulness" juice, and you did not have to leave it on the desk unlike at the "doctors" where things tend to be kinda 1.0 generic.  

Stress Signals - S(top)-H(ell)-I(n)-T(ime)

You are heading towards the traffic lights......... green light is on and you are racing ahead when suddenly in the middle of the crossing the lights turn from yellow to RED. Did you make it to the other side well before too late? Or did you just step on it and close your eyes? Of course this is an analogy of you driving your life, but if you try to retrace those tracks, there is probably a memory of somewhere going too fast. In other words we always notice those lights or signals on our way, but do we pay any attention? Talking about stress(ors) and speed you can only go so far, so fast, so long in life before you get there or you are gone. So, how did you manage the curves? And what about that vehicle (=body) you are in? Is it always hanging onto the phone, eating fast food while phantom driving? Do you ever check the engine or brakes? What if the traffic police show up and give you a fine or ask for your license? Did you notice an old lady got run down in the pedestrian as nobody stopped you! S-H-I-T

                                                                    GOT IT?
                                                   OR WILL IT GET TOO YOU?
                                          
                                  P:S:  GREEN = DE-STRESS          RED = RUN DOWN _BURN OUT

The fight- or-flight roller-coaster

Ok? You made it this far through the busy roller-coaster of life....and so it goes on.That is modern life pumping through your veins. You are in it and it is in you. It feeeels great when it all goes up, but not so good when it comes tumbling down the rack. As far as your nervous system is concerned, it is ancient, stressed by anything that triggers the limbic primordial "fight-or-flight" response mechanism. This was all good while we were stone age people running from sable tigers, but when thoughts and emotions link up missing the ride at the bus stop - this can make you feel anxious and nervous....

                     

                                             
There you go....fluctuating through the emotional stress roller-coaster curves. Scientists say this is when the adrenaline kicks in, and with a scientific bend that the frequency will soon escalate beyond imaginable. It is kinda funny how it is with experimental oscillations - you never know how they end....

                                             Emotions stress polarized - negative or positive?
                                                                 BANG   -      BANG

                                                                   Stuck in a moment

The human brain (and the monkey)

The human brain is about three times as large as the brain of a chimpanzee. Much of the extra brain compared to monkeys is called the cerebral cortex and is brand new in the evolution of the species, especially the frontal lobes (above your eyes). This part is particularly associated with executive functions such as self-control, mindful reasoning, planning, and abstract thinking related to future vision (this is also greatly enlarged in humans)...When you get seriously stressed, science has discovered that this part of your brain tends to short-circuit. In other words your brain goes "monkey" and you cannot plan, reason or do time related things in a normal way. Therefore, stress is associated with many human ills. The next time your brain goes bananas, it is time for you to stop, before the monkey in you(r European, Asian or African ancestry) resurrects...

Your mind is kind of plastic!

                                                           Meditation soothes the monkey brain!

Fast Forward (F___Hell)

You are busy heading for the airport. As you enter the domestic or was it the international terminal - you cannot wait to find that gate. It is business meeting number 5 today - in another city. You shop for a new watch and swallow a couple of pints of beer in the tax free bar area, hoping you are going to make it. Now you MUST leave... you never seem to be able to make it - on time. Oh, shit, you nearly forgot the bag or suitcase, so you return for another pint before the departure call. It is soo much fun - being in a hurry all the time - and if the pilot can keep heads up after 14 hrs - you are head bound too...


                                                                BUGGER

Are you heading for exit now?

Surf'in'

There is nothing like a good surf. You can surf the waves of the ocean or the internet to discover what it is like riding on a crest. You can easily get addicted and spend your whole (spare) time there. On the beach you get a sunburn, but when you are surfing around on a mouse in cyberspace, you get really entangled in the word wide web. It is o.k. to meet up with friends in the global community, and look at some pages, but when your wireless mind disconnects from the reality around you, not surprisingly, after a couple of hours, eyes all screen dumping, your brain waves go into fast Beta - an alert wave mode. Ooh-oh. No wonder your desktop makes your mind go spinning. Around and around it goes in circles....

                                                 
                                           

Copyrighted with a special licence

Stress-test

Some people need a stress-test to realize they may suffer from stress. We might provide a free stress test with sign up in the future. In the meantime, please try this on a busy day where you cannot find the time to do it all:

                                            Ask somebody to shout out loud in your face:

                                             GET YOUR A:: MOVING!!!

                                                  Notice what happens with(in) you!

                             

                                       

Work Life Balance

There is a lot to say about work life balance and about how much we allow work to consume us. For some, work is a major priority, while for others family and leisure time are valued more highly. There are as many work-life balance equations as there are individuals...

• Work-life balance literally means prioritising between work (career and ambition) and life (health, pleasure, leisure, spirituality and family) on the other.
• It is also about flexibility during the working day or having the flexibility of working from home.
• Employer-employee relations, working environments and the colleagues, (darned) boss etc.

How is your balance?

Simplicity

No it is not that simple. Actually, you may find it difficult. To simplify. What does it mean? Well, you could either take a list of things to do and delete something of the complexity, or you could slow down, disentangle, unwind or weave out. Here is to make it simple:


Problem:




Solution:





P.S. : In order to fix these errors and avoid them in the future, it is recommended to use this Repair Tool regularly and perform your routine maintenance.


                                                         

Rat-racing and Frogs

Oh, what a thrill it is to always be soo busy.... You get to feel the incessant importance about living. Not that (your) life is not important. It is just that the busier we are, the more tantalizing the rat-race may become. So, what is up with those hormonal life injections as we enjoy the stressful thrill-ride? Well, it goes kinda like the following experiment; if you can handle it: Put a frog in a cooking device, pour water all over and let it sit there... till it boils. It sure is lukewarm and nice for a start - like that rat race...It just keeps getting hotter by the minute, so the frog and we are happy for the time being. Then it starts to get really hot and before you know it - the frog is gasping for air, but strangely keeps sitting there waiting till it drops dead! No kidding, and no need to jump. And so it is... with human  life, frogs and rat-racing ahead. It is enjoyable - for as long as it lasts....
                                                             KISS KISS

Say Budd-ha-aaah

You are not really or notably Buddhist, and who cares about theological beliefs, anyhow. You cannot discuss it, tell a Muslim to become Christian or a Hindu to convert to Islam. That is just how it is with religious debates. It is often full of ancient, sacred texts and grumpy, hairy, old men wearing beards behaving like priests. When you contemplate - The Path - you are in for surprises and discoveries that surpass ordinary religion. The point is, religion is not a requirement for the moment. All you need to do is try to float in lotus position, and say Buddha-aahhh, waiting for an abolition of the mind.
Quite simple really.....

                                         

Just kidding

Try the alchemy

(Probably) the best drink in the world...

Now, you might be thinking about that morning coffee, grabbing a Carlsberg, pouring a glass of Cape wine or swallowing Irish whiskey, but no, it is not... all... that good for you. The best drink in the world -probably - is a cup of green tea, dear. Not only is tea full of substances that offset the oxidative stress and free radical damage associated with physical stress and aging. At five o' clock - with a small cookie - it is perfect to de-stress, relieve anxieties and any depressions. It does not matter if it is Ceylon or Chinese, particularly if it is the green catechin version. In Japan drinking tea is a royal ceremony or ritual. Enough said about mindful living in Japanese. Go ask Polly to put the kettle on - in the kitchen - till it is hot and steaming. If you are cool you can also drink it iced.

                                                           

緑茶

Pain or gain

Life can be full of happy moments and joy, excitement, love, sorrows or pain. Nobody goes through it without experiencing a little bit of everything. Most often we try to avoid the pain or are looking for gain. All in all we are considering our mental health. It is only natural, pain is such a negative emotion and gain is much more pleasurable. Take weight as an example. If we like cookies and enjoy stuffing ourselves with goodies, we gain fat in the process. In order to look good or feel more attractive we may need to lose some weight. Going on a strict weight loss diet seems excruciatingly painful and stressful for a change, but the gains in overall health, fitness or longevity may prove immeasurable.

                                                             

Meditation

Many people know about meditation, but do not meditate or even wonder why they should bother. Maybe you have not tried, think you are not up for it or will never get into it, but science has revealed that the benefits are almost limitless. You do not have to be Buddha or in India. You can start where ever you are under the Northern or Southern skies. Just sitting still staring at raindrops or stars passing by your window can be meditative. It is not enough though, to simply daydream or close your eyes, thinking you are half-way through it. You have got to explore what the heck people are talking about with Mindfulness......


                                                               

 

                                                            A Sky Full of Stars

Time and Stress...Stress and Time (what came first)?

Most people - in the West - live with much stress or strain with too many demands on their life and time. Although, there is nothing wrong with having a lot to do during a day, week or month, too many things on our schedule may cause some serious problems. Particularly, if the situation is ongoing over longer periods, and the time we are here is suddenly all gone. Ever had that experience or feeling? Then you are like millions of people trying to keep up with the hustle in spite of whatever consequences with regard to health, social or working environments. As we suffer the stress-time-madness, friends, families and partners may also become affected or victims of the stress-dis-ease spreading to them. Then our work-life balance gets seriously challenged, and it is time to stop and (re)think.....

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Formula 1

                                                                   

                                                                               

   

Formula 1 - is for racing cars. It is not really for humans on two legs going through life. The faster it gets - the closer you get to the road barriers. With or without heels or wheels, you can hurry up - or you can take it slow - and stay on course. This is nothing new, but why do we often forget it in the race? Maybe we have a sponsor or something pushing us, or we like to compete, with others. Maybe you like to play macho, wear a helmet or quickly drop the kids off at the day care. No matter what you do with the ride called life, you do not have to get stuck to the steering wheel. Maybe it is time you find a pit for some major or minor technical, fuel, injection improvements - if your fire-tires are boiling..


                                                               

 
              You body is your vehicle, and the mind the steering wheel behind the engine

Reframing

Reframing the mind means to change your thoughts and perceptions about your reality and circumstances in a way that promotes a different view or more positive outlook. The way to do that is to ask more questions: 

How could this (stressful) situation be perceived from a different angle?

What is it that I have not noticed about it so far?

How could I respond or act differently? 

… and what would be the result?

                                                                    EUREKA!

Stress and (Summer) Holidays

Time for Holidays?

Many people look forward to the (summer) holidays each year. It is a time where we can catch up with ourselves and escape the daily grind and busy life style, but what if the stress continues during the holidays?

The more stressed you are, the more likely it is that you actually need to rest and have a holiday. If the stress levels are high, you may need to spend the first week "slowing down". The most de-stressing (summer) holiday you can get is if you "pull out the plug". You need to be "offline". Other people are not allowed to contact you. YOU decide when YOU contact the world. Whether by phone, computer or TV (particularly bad news).

Here is what you can start or increase:
Social gatherings
Reading books
Playing games
Spending time in nature
Excercise and mental relaxation (like staring out of the window)

In other words, here are 7 sacred pieces of holiday advice:

1. Use your holiday(s) to relax - without work (you are on holiday, remember?)
2. Spend at least two weeks going somewhere (sightseeing allowed every 2 days )
3. Be 100 procent on holiday with other people and/or the place
4. Shut down the mobile or cell phone (leave a holiday message or a contact)
5. Don't visit the internet. No online surfing is allowed. Use auto-responder.
6. Don't even think about work. You become a better worker and collegue while not being there.
7. Develop a new interest or practice that you can take with you (on the return).

Then start to see or experience the positive results. So loong....or go to:

                                        

                                               http://casino.us.org/online-gambling/

Ring ring - bling, bling

Ring, ring - bling, bling....those cell phones have become so small we carry them with us all over the place on the entire planet - even in caves while rock climbing or in the make-up bag in the middle of university classes and important business meetings. Have you ever had the experience of sitting in a job interview or on the loo being utterly disturbed? IPhone and Nokia- calls from out of nowhere have clearly gone out of hand...


                                                     RING - RING


            The next time that gadget calls - before you swallow it, state out loud and clear:
                      "I am in the process of learning mindfulness -  now please...  f off!" 

Stressed? Who? Where? Not in a lifetime!

(Wo)man are you stressed -  how do you know?
Well, you wake up in the morning, and the alarm goes off shaking your head and bed.... BUZZ.... it is forcing you to move your legs (if they still can). It is all too silly, really, as you should be on the move, and don't have time for any ridiculous paraphernalia. You slip into the shower as fast as you can you turn on the toaster or coffee maker. Breakfast w-h-a-r-t a waste of time... gotta towel your body in less than 4 minutes... The boss is yelling at you as you are kinda late! Geeshka!

The gazillion pieces of papers on the desk
Now, you really must get out of that door faster than a spinning zebra - slam-locking it behind you ( else somebody might come in) while heading for the bus, train, tram or car. The mind, is silly and stupid, not quite there yet, as it scans today's morning traffic. It is just another working day, and you are already too busy ahead. Didn't you forget something? What was that? How long will it take to ....remember? What if you do not arrive through the strain? Is work or salary hanging in threads? Your partner might call if you forget that looooong, looping list of shopping. You really need to pay some attention and buy some beers on the way or grab some aspirins for the head, if there is time for that lunch package. How else are you going to make it?

It is just headaches
Well, maybe it is not all that bad...headaches always seem to come and go.... You just need a holiday or place to RELAX, perhaps, but time is not for the taking and it is catching up with the blood that keeps pumping through your heart, spilling over in your head. There you go....if the shoe has not dropped yet. Stressed out yet? To be c-o-n-t-i-n-u-e-d......to death..?

" The true triumph of reason is that it enables us to get along with those who do not possess it"  - Voltaire 

Trichotillomania - a not so rare mental dis-ease

Do you have Trichotillomania (trik-o-til-o-MAY-ne-uh = an irresistible urge to pull out hair)?

Then it is VERY likely that you suffer from debilitating stress... 

MUST you (learn to) de-stress...find the cure..... or die? What joy or tragedy?

                                                  

                              Who seeks shall find.

                                   - Sophocles, Greek tragedian

Welcome to the De-stress Blog

We are living in busy times of change and...If you are feeling stressed, this blog provides some new info, inspiration and simple ideas to alleviate stress and promote a happier life - under construction.

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