Tag Archives: relax

Is it possible to SNIFF your stress away?

08 Thursday Jul 2021

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Yes, according to a study from Italy’s Orthopedic Institute. Researchers asked adults prepped for surgery to sniff essential oils. Those who smelled eucalyptus felt much calmer than those sniffing citrus, or plain unscented air. The reason? Eucalyptus or “gum” trees – contain a compound that cuts production of the stress hormone cortisol. And the benefits of eucalyptus kick in within FIVE MINUTES of your first whiff! So, next time you feel nervous, sniff your stress away with eucalyptus essential oil.

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Don’t use the Wi-Fi on the plane!

22 Tuesday Jun 2021

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When you go on vacation, even if the plane has Wi-Fi, don’t use it! Positive psychologist Michelle Gielan has found that travelers need 12 to 24-hours to get the health-boosting benefits of complete relaxation. And if you wait until you reach your destination to unplug, you’re essentially shortening your trip. So the second you get on the plane, start to unwind. That means all activities should reflect your vacation mindset. You’ll get into relaxation-mode more quickly.

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Swing away your stress and anxiety!

03 Thursday Jun 2021

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If you’re feeling anxious, hit the playground and hop on a swing. Or find the nearest hammock, porch swing, or rocking chair. Then spend two minutes swinging, rocking or swaying. The repetitive motion relaxes the nervous system and calms the amygdala, the brain region linked to stress and anxiety. In fact, swinging is so powerful, the University of Miami says it can cut production of stress hormones by 25% for 2 hours. Just from 2 minutes of swinging, rocking or swaying.

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Get a great blood pressure reading at your next checkup!

05 Wednesday May 2021

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Here are a couple of tips for a better blood pressure reading at your next doctor’s appointment: 

First: Relax and keep quiet while the cuff is on. Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found talking can increase blood flow… and make it seem your blood pressure is 5 to 10 points higher than it actually is. 

Next: Watch your posture! Crossing your legs can temporarily increase your blood pressure. 

And your arm position matters, too. For the most accurate reading, keep the cuffed arm at roughly the same level as your heart. 

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What’s the best way to improve your work/life balance?

29 Monday Mar 2021

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Exercise regularly! Researchers from Saint Louis University found working long hours, and spending more time away from the family hurts our home life. But people who exercised regularly were less stressed at work, even if they were having personal problems. So, they got more done and were more likely to leave on time, which reduced the friction at home. Plus, exercise boosted their mood and confidence, making them better able to forget about work after hours. Making it easier for them to relax, unwind, and enjoy their family.

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Who has time to meditate?

05 Friday Feb 2021

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You do! Because all you need is 16 SECONDS a day to alter your brain! Yale University researchers found meditation decreases activity in the brain area responsible for negative thoughts, and a wandering mind – which is typically linked to ruminating, worrying about the past and future, and being less happy. But meditation keeps you focused in the present. It also physically changes the brain. It increases brain cell volume in the hippocampus, which regulates emotions. And decreases it in the amygdala, which is responsible for fear, anxiety, and stress. 

And all you need is 16 SECONDS a day – as long as you’re consistent! So breathe in for a count of 4… hold it for 4… exhale for 4 seconds… and pause for 4. Done.

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If you – or the people you’re around – need to calm down:

25 Monday Jan 2021

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Wear pink – or paint a room pink. According to the American Institute of Biosocial Research, when study subjects looked at something pink – in less than 3 seconds, 99% of them felt calmer. 

That’s because the color pink relaxes the endocrine system – the one that triggers our fight or flight stress response. So it has a tranquilizing effect. It creates slower, calmer brain waves. That’s why so many hospitals have walls painted pink. It works in prisons, too. From Missouri to Texas to Arizona, prisons have been painting jail cells pink to pacify the prisoners, and reduce violence. 

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Stop a fluttering heart from stress!

04 Monday Jan 2021

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Did you know that if your heart gets all fluttery from stress, there’s a way to “touch” it to make the flutter – and your stress – go away?

Just do this: Take your thumb, and press it firmly in the web between the pointer finger and thumb of your other hand. Or, press hard in the space between your second and third knuckles. Psychologist Dr. Sharon Melnick, who wrote “Success Under Stress,” says the nerves under those areas go directly to your heart. And when you apply pressure to those nerves, it activates them in a way that relaxes the heart, and creates a sense of, quote “instant calm.”

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How does soaking in a steamy bath scented with rose, vanilla, jasmine, or lavender essential oils sound?

09 Wednesday Dec 2020

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Like heaven, right? Well, doing that will raise blood levels of the feel-good and calming neurotransmitters oxytocin and serotonin… for SIX HOURS afterward! That’s according to research from Brown University. And because the bath itself soothes your brain’s anxiety center – it needs less of that surge of oxytocin and serotonin. So more of those feel-good chemicals will be used to relax the cells in the rest of your body.

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When you come home after a long and stressful day…

08 Tuesday Dec 2020

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…feel free to plop down on the couch and watch TV. A joint study between UC Santa Barbara and the University of Georgia found people’s stress hormones were slashed after watching their favorite shows. Sure, meditation and yoga can also help stress levels – but unless you’re really into those things, feeling the pressure to do something “healthy” can prevent your stress levels from dropping. So, if you have certain TV shows you’re really into – don’t feel guilty – enjoy! Because getting absorbed in the plot and characters takes your mind off your own stresses and turns your focus outward. 

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