"STRESS REDUCTION, RELAXATION, AND AROMATHERAPY"

This information comes from one of our workshops at the Leadership Institute presented by our good friend Joanne Proctor from the HOMES Society.

We first talked about what we knew already about reducing our stress. Our list included:

1. Use calm voices

2. Turn lights off so there is less to look at so we can concentrate.

3. Light a scented candle.

There is Bad Stress called "Distress" and there is Good Stress which gives us our "up and atom" energy.

WHAT CAUSES BAD STRESS?

• You want something NOW (not being patient/anticipation)

• Something goes wrong at work

• Nervous excitement about a new event

• Losing loved ones when: people pass away,  move away, or the break up of a relationship.

• Fears and phobias

• Anger because something does not go your way (frustration) like when our parents or friends cannot be there for us when we need them the most

• People not listening to you

• Confusion when people do not understand you

• Missing people we are close to who give us support

• Not getting enough sleep makes us tired, cranky, moody, etc.

• Not eating properly (too much junk food)

• Not enough exercise

• People depending on supports that are not there

HOW WE CAN DEAL WITH STRESS

• Lots of humour

• Talk to other people by phone, meet for coffee, or Internet (chat rooms)

• Walk it off

• Releasing your problems through prayer, meditation and yoga, Tai Chi, etc

• Dealing with the problem or source of the stress head on

• Play piano, sing, or listen to music by other people

WE ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS AND WE ALL NEED LOVE AND NURTURING

Nurturing Exercise #1: Dwayne volunteered to come to the front of the room and we all showed our appreciation by giving him a standing ovation and shouting our love for him. Dwayne said he felt great.

OUR FEARS

Joanne told us that more people are afraid to speak up in public than they are about their own death. That means that people would rather die then talk in a room full of people. Everybody's fears and phobias are different and we need to accept them. Hopefully we can help our friends overcome their fears in time with lots of support and information. Here is a list of some of our fears:

• bees

• doctors and hospitals

• violence

• fear of people taking things away from us

• certain people

• people mad at you

• bad Relationships

• letting go of emotions

• guns

• control

• changes

• the unknown

HOW TO DEAL WITH FEAR

• Feel the fear and do it anyways

• Choosing our attitude to deal with things

• Overcome them

Nurturing Exercise #2: Sit on a chair, lean down with your arms to the ground and then stand up and yell, "I'm really depressed" as you raise your arms up in the air.

Nurturing Exercise #3: Walk like you are in charge with your shoulders back and your head held high.

Nurturing Exercise #4: Cross your arms the way you always do, then change arm positions. You will feel uncomfortable because we all resist change.

Nurturing Exercise #5:
       Put on relaxing New Age music, get comfortable on the ground and close your eyes. Breathe in from your nose and hold it for 4 seconds and slowly let it out of your mouth. Do this about 5 times, and then start to breathe through your nose and concentrate on your breathing. Then close your eyes and do the following:
               Visualize a trap door beneath you which opens up and a bright white light appears and touches your body starting at your toes. The light is warm and feels good. Let the light rise up to your face and let it flow out the top of your head. You are now filled with light and peace. Think positive and good things about YOU like: "I am a wonderful human being who contributes to everyone and I am filled with love." Now the light comes back down from the top of your head and leaves from your toes. The light goes back into the trap door. When you are ready you can open your eyes. Welcome back.

Nurturing Exercise #6: Everybody forms a long line. Massage the person standing in front of you on the shoulders of their shirt, neck, and back. Tap their back lightly and then wipe your hands on their back:
           Then put your arms around the person's waist and put your head on their shoulders wile listening to relaxing music for a few minutes. It is very important to feel safe and let out our feelings so we can cry which is a great way to get stress out of our system.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TODAY IF YOU WERE BRAVE

• Wear daring clothes

• Do something you put off for a long time

• Face.....

• Priorities

AROMATHERAPY

Put a drop of essential oils on:

• Candles

• During a shower

• On your clothes

• Heart of the plant

• Inhale and relax

And always remember to drink lots of water or herbal teas (no caffeine) to purify your body and mind.