Conquer Your Fears

@RedMountainSpa

By Cindy Clemens,
Life Coach

Fears are the negative and scary emotional responses we feel in our hearts and in our guts. Some of the most common things that people are afraid of are: failure, rejection, disapproval, poverty, intimacy and, of course, death. Specific activities can also be the source of fears such as public speaking, flying or talking to new people. Fears may be passed down from our parents, the result of childhood trauma, or the result of negative life experiences. In the extreme, they manifest as crippling phobias that require treatment from trained professionals.

Below are my strategies for conquering fears:

1. Get to Know Your Fears: The most important step in dealing with your fears is to get to know them. You will be able to take away a large amount of their hold over you when you recognize them and choose not to embrace the lies they whisper into your heart. This process of recognizing your fears involves knowing the following information about each one of your fears:
   • When does it come to you?
   
   
   • What does it say?
   
   
   • What other voices does it use?
   
   
   • What memories does it drag up?
   
   
   • What is the core fear - the fear that is behind most of the other fears?
   
   
2. Starve Your Fears & Feed Your Dreams: Notice how much time you are allowing yourself to dwell in the place of fear and worry. It is amazing how much time during the day can be spent in the fear zone. Try limiting yourself to twenty minutes a day. Set a timer and let yourself do all the fretting and worrying you want to. Really give it a go — come up with your juiciest fears and wallow in them for a full twenty minutes. Then, for the rest of the day, when you are tempted to go back into the fear zone, stop yourself and remember that you can revisit that concern tomorrow during your twenty-minute worry segment.
   
   Spend at least equal time feeding your dreams. The key is to spend at least as much time immersed in your exciting dreams, passions and pursuits as you do with the negative and destructive fears. Since you are now paying attention to how much time you are spending with your fears, you will know how much time you need to spend feeding your dreams.



3. Play the "What-If" Game: A final tool you may want to use in managing your fears is to play the "what-if" game. Keep asking yourself what would happen if your fear really came about. I have found that so often our fears seem so much worse to us than they are in reality. The worst case scenario would not be anywhere close to the way you had imagined it.

Aqua Asana

@RedMountainSpa

By Kim Watters,
Fitness Manager

Yoga in the water! Explore your body, mind and spirit in a supported liquid environment and allow your body to relax into postures while the mind floats. Slow your heart rate, lower the level of your stress hormones, increase flexibility, lower blood pressure and connect into the relaxation response of your nervous system. The water is an amazing tool to induce inner peace and well-being.

Warm Up
Begin by standing in chest deep water. Walk forward pulling both arms back to propel your body forward through the water as you walk (like a breast stroke) then do the opposite...walk backward pushing your arms forward to propel you back through the water as you walk. (2-5 minutes)

To continue the warm up, stand with your legs wider than shoulder width and extend both arms out in front about shoulder width apart. Begin twisting from right to left pushing the water with the palms of the hands; this is a Spine Twist variation. Your heel will lift as you twist from side to side. (2-5 minutes)

The following exercises are executed with a Foam Pool Noodle that can be purchased in the kids' section of any discount store for $2-$4.

Head-to-Knee Pose
Place the noodle under one ankle and move into Head-to-Knee Pose by allowing the noodle to float to the surface of the water. Anchor into the foot, engage the abdominals and lengthen the spine. Scull the arms through the water as you find this pose to help balance you. For a balance challenge try to hold your arm still as you reach towards the noodle.

Big Toe Pose
Allow the noodle to float to the side in a turned out position (a variation of Big Toe Pose). Holding your arms in a letter T shape, scull the water as you find this pose. Sculling will help to balance you in the pose. For a balance challenge try to hold your arms still.

Dancer's Pose
Move into Dancer's Pose by bending your knee (knee cap points to the pool floor) and placing the noodle on the front of the ankle (the top of the foot will hold the noodle in place.) Allow your arms to scull water for balance. For a challenge reach back and hold the noodle with same hand (right hand to right side of the noodle). For the most advanced option reach back with both hands and hold the noodle on the right and left side of the ankle.

Leg Cradle Pose
Place the noodle across the shoulder blades and under the armpits (the noodle tips will float in front of you). Move into Leg Cradle Pose by crossing the right ankle over the left leg just above the knee, begin to float back bringing both legs as close to the chest as possible. Scull the arms through the water as you find this pose. This will help to balance you. For a balance challenge try pulling the legs closer to the body with your hands as you hold the pose.

Be sure to repeat all of the above poses using the other leg.

Bow Pose
Place the noodle across the chest and under the armpits (the noodle tips will float behind you). Move into Bow Pose by leaning forward on to the chest and floating flexed knees up behind you. Begin to lift the chest and reach your hands back towards the hips and sides of your thighs. This will put you into a back extension. Continue lengthening the spine, flexing the ankles and spreading the toes as you hold this pose. Also, maintain the knees and ankles at hip width.

Meditation
Finish with standing Corpse Pose. Stand in a comfortable position with the arms at your sides and the palms facing forward. Practice deep breathing and relaxed meditation to create a sense of ease and complete clarity for the moment.

A Desert Miracle – the Resurrection Plant

@RedMountainSpa

By Myrna Beardshear
Director of Spa & Wellness

When we tell people that we have products derived from desert plants, we get strange looks. After all, anyone who has driven through the desert anywhere in the world, has seen the plant life and thought "how could those thorny, odd-looking plants provide us with the ingredients for a luxurious product line like [comfort zone]."

[comfort zone]‘s extremely hydrating, hydramemory line contains an advanced formulation of trehalose (a hydro-active sugar derived from the Resurrection Plant – also known as the Rose of Jericho [Selaginellaceae, Spikemoss family]).

The plants live in desert regions, growing and reproducing as any other plant until the environment can no longer support its existence. When that happens, they retract their roots from the soil and allow the desert winds to carry them until they arrive in a place where they can continue to grow and spread. They don't always remain in the first place they stop, but check out the nature of the place to see if it is adequate to enhance growth. There they may stay and grow, or indeed they may move again many times. But at all times, they regenerate.

It is said that you will have all the blessings life can bring if the plant or a piece of it is kept in the home in a bowl of water. The water needs changed often and is sprinkled about the home to cleanse it of all negativity and bring peace. When carried on a person it is said to absorb negative energy. It is used as an amulet to promote a long and healthy life.

Completely dried out Jericho roses will grow if placed in water and left. When it is dry, it folds and turns gray and brittle. Yet place it in water and it recovers its natural green color and unfolds to live again...and it can do this over and over again.

The trehalose from the plant is rich in hydrophilic properties, binding water molecules within the epidermic tissue, protecting the original morphology. The trehalose provides excellent hydration, which is important in changing environmental conditions. This makes the hydramemory line an outstanding product for skin dehydrated and stressed during and after air travel, extreme weather conditions and anytime the skin is moisture depleted.

Entheogenic/Psychological Properties
Brings peace, power and abundance. Jericho rose is a rare magical commodity, sought after for use in voodoo and Cuban Santeria love and money spells and is sought in the Holy Land by pilgrims as a holy relic. The amazing resurrection plant is a marvelous example of nature's wonders and can serve as a living symbol of one's faith and confidence in nature's power to resurrect and bring life to what seems dead and lifeless.

Additional Active Ingredients in the hydramemory line:

Betaglucan: Derived from yeast. Supports natural defense mechanisms of the body, which increases vitality of the tissues and anti-aging functions.

Honey Extract & Mineral Salts: Assists in restoring metabolic functions.

Hibiscus Extract: A tropical milk rich in proteins. Performs strong softening acting that results in increased tissue cohesion and greatly restores skin compactness.

Reference:

1. Maya Ethnobotanicals


2. [comfort zone]

Archeology Adventure at Red Mountain

@RedMountainspa

By Boma Johnson,
Hiking Guide

When is a hike not just a hike? When it's an archeology adventure!

Red Mountain Resort & Spa is fortunate to be situated among the red rocks of Southern Utah and be surrounded by a rich Native American history. Many of our hikes open a window into a new world for our guests - a world of ancient mysteries, sacred power and Native American spirituality.

View rock art images that were made by early Native Americans from the remote Desert Archaic Culture to the prehistoric Ancestral Puebloans (Anasazi) and to historic Paiute. The images have many meanings. They were often used as sacred teaching for young tribal initiates and lessons for the more mature on "The Greater Journey of Life." There are also depictions of the visions experienced by shamans, clan symbols staking out a territory, hunting and water location information. Some even are a way of saying "We were here!"

About Boma
Boma has been at Red Mountain for nine years as a hiking guide and archaeology expert. He earned degrees in archaeology and geology with minors in Native American Culture and the American West Movement. Boma taught at Brigham Young University and Arizona State University before spending 25 years at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Arizona. Since retirement from BLM in 2000, he has taught archaeology and geology at Dixie State College in St. George, Utah.

Healthy Heart Exercise to Re-energize Your Day

@RedMountainSpa
Straight Leg Lift: Stand in front of a desk to hold on to for balance. Bend forward from the hips and extend your right leg back with your toes touching the floor. Lift your leg upward with the knee and toes pointing down and hold 2-3 seconds. Repeat with the left leg. 8-12 repetitions. If your lower back arches you may be lifting your leg too high.

Hiking Philosophy at Red Mountain

@RedMountainSpa

By John Ibach,
Director of Outdoor Recreation

At Red Mountain Resort & Spa, we pride ourselves on our Outdoor Recreation program. We are privileged to be situated next to Snow Canyon State Park one of Utah’s premier State Parks. Our location gives us immediate access to over 25 miles of trail - all within walking distance or only a short drive away.

As director of the Outdoor Recreation Department, I am proud of the fact that our approach to the desert is as stewards; our emphasis is on sustainable recreational use. While we use the park and surrounding public lands constantly throughout the year, our impact is minimal.

At Red Mountain outdoor recreation implies a whole different experience than just fitness; and while recreation is a component of a well-rounded fitness program, we offer a much broader perspective.

As you hike each morning you will be entertained by our guides while learning human history, geology, plant identification, sustainable use, wildlife and local lore. Our morning hiking program is designed to give you the tools to make outdoor activities a part of your life. Red Mountain hikes offer terrain from easy to difficult and our experts will give you the information you need to make choices that fit your comfort level.

The hikes fulfill two functions: to offer you an opportunity to do something physical and to introduce you to the desert environment. We hope that you leave Red Mountain with an understanding of why we love our home and enjoy what we do here.

Meet Outdoor Recreation Director John Ibach

Hometown: Ogden, Utah

Current town: St. George, Utah

Age: 61

Birthday: April 6

Favorite color: Blue

Favorite fitness activity: Road Biking

How long at Red Mountain: 4 years

Favorite fitness class offered at RM: Any class taught by Chrissie Pettigrew.

Favorite thing about working at RM: I always appreciate the positive attitude of team members and our guests and the beautiful location.

If you weren’t in Southern Utah, where would you live? I would live somewhere else in the desert.

Best RM memory: Though I have done it many times, I really enjoy the Zion Bike & Hike Adventure. It is a great day trip.

Favorite food: I really like the vegetarian dishes on the Red Mountain dinner menu.

Favorite indulgence: I read. I love history, and I read it not for finding out what happened but to try and find out why it happened. I also find Bonsai to be relaxing.

Where did you go to college? Utah State University (Logan, Utah)

When you aren’t at work, what do you do for fun? I love to play sports and relax on a long bicycle ride.

Favorite book or movie that is related to health, wellness or fitness: "Breaking Away"...it inspires me to ride more.

Favorite quote: “How old would you be, if you didn’t know how old you was?” ~ Satchel Page

Coconut-Scented Wehani Rice

@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Ingredients:
1 Cup Wehani Rice
2 Cups Water
1/4 Cup Light Coconut Milk
1 Tbsp Agave Nectar
1/4 Cup Shredded Coconut

Directions:

• Combine all items in sauce pan.


• Bring to a boil.


• Reduce heat to a simmer and cook about 35-40 minutes until all moisture is absorbed.

Healthy Heart Exercise to Re-energize Your Day

@RedMountainSpa
Inner Thigh: While sitting, lift Place a firm water bottle or an empty coffee cup between the knees. sit tall in your chair. Squeeze your knees towards each other and hold 2-3 seconds. 8-12 repetitions

Creating a Toleration-Free Zone

@Redmountainspa

By Cindy Clemens,
Life Coach

Spring is a great time of year for cleaning up and clearing out. Something about this time of year makes us ready to sort through the collection of stuff we’ve accumulated during the past year, decide what we want to keep and develop a game plan for those things we want to get rid of. We can use this same energy to do a spring cleaning on ourselves – to look at the things we are tolerating in our lives that are weighing us down and to find ways to eliminate or learn to deal with those tolerations. Believe it or not, it really is possible to make your life a toleration-free, and much less stressful, zone.

First, you need to look at what you are tolerating in your life. What are you putting up with that you’d rather not put up with? What is draining you of your energy? How can you make yourself more efficient? These may be things in your home or workplace, issues with friends or family or personal habits you have tolerated for years. I suggest you make a list and write down whatever you are currently tolerating that you would like to get rid of or learn how to deal with better.

When I first began to look at the tolerations in my life, I was surprised at the number of seemingly small things that were really bugging me. For example, my husband bought a rubber mat and put it in the kitchen sink. Every day when I had to clean the sink and also the rubber mat, I would become very irritated. Since I was at the kitchen sink several times a day that meant I was irritated several times a day. Until I wrote down my list, I didn’t realize how much that rubber mat interfered with my peace of mind.

The second step is to look at several ways that you could alleviate each of the tolerations. These could be ways to eliminate them, phase them out or look at them differently. By giving yourself more than one way of dealing with them, you are opening yourself up to all of the possible solutions. You may even want to ask someone else for his or her ideas about dealing with a particular toleration. Just try to be open-minded and creative.

For me, I considered getting rid of the rubber mat, getting rid of my husband who seemed so attached to the stupid mat or asking him why he bought it in the first place. I decided to try the last option first and discovered that he actually had a good reason. The porcelain in our kitchen sink was quite thin, and the rubber mat would help protect it and make it last longer. Additionally, he said that if it really bugged me, he would clean it himself every day. Wow, by just admitting that it was bugging me and asking for some assistance, I was able to get rid of that toleration. It’s amazing how easy that was.

In fact for many of your tolerations, just being aware that you are putting up with them will begin the resolution process. You will be surprised how your subconscious mind will work on eliminating these energy drains once you admit they are there. You’ll naturally start handling, eliminating, fixing, growing through and resolving these tolerations. Solutions will come to you and you will find that your list will begin to shorten.

Unfortunately, not all tolerations can be dealt with so easily. Some will require a greater degree of commitment to resolving or eliminating them. The trick is to remind yourself of the benefits of living in a toleration-free zone. You will stop putting up with things that shouldn’t be in your life in the first place. You will have much more energy to devote to the things that really matter to you in life. You will have more quality time to spend with your friends and family. In other words, you have much better things to do in your life than deal with tolerations and your effort toward eliminating them will pay significant dividends.

So, this year as you welcome in Spring and tackle all of those projects around the house that you’ve put off, consider tackling a few nagging tolerations in your life. Once you start taking notice, you’ll be surprised how many times a day you allow your energy to be drained. Make a commitment to creating a toleration-free zone.

Coconut Chocolate Chip Macaroons

@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Ingredients:
1 Cup Shredded Coconut
1/4 Cup Fructose*, granulated
2 1/4 Tbsp Flour
Pinch Salt
1 1/2 Eggs
1/4 tsp Almond Extract
1/4 Cup Chocolate Chips

Directions:

• Mix together first six items, blend well.


• Add chocolate chips.


• Drop by tablespoons onto lightly greased cookie pan and flatten dough.


• Cook at 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes until lightly browned around edges.


• Enjoy!

*Fructose is available in health food stores. Can substitute regular sugar.

Earth Day Month: Davine's

@RedMountainSpa

In honor of Earth Day Month we thought we would highlight the products we use in the spa and the many things our vendors are doing to protect the earth.

Davine's Hair Care Products
Davine's motto is: "Beauty will save the world and sustainability can make it happen."

Click to view larger image.

Pan Seared North American Elk with Kiln Dried Cherries, Black Walnuts & Port Wine Jus

@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Ingredients:
Four 3-oz medallions North American Elk Medallions
2 T Kiln-dried Cherries
1 ½ T Black Walnut Pieces
1 t Shallots, minced
¼ C Port Wine
½ C Veal Stock
to taste Kosher Salt
to taste Black Pepper
4 slices Yam, cut into 1/2" slices, blanced until fork tender
8 spears Medium Asparagus, trimmed to 3-4", blanched to al dente, chilled in ice water
2 strips Red Bell Pepper Strips
2 slices Yellow Squash Chips, 1" slices, bias cut

Directions:

• In a heavy gauge sauce pan, sauté shallots until translucent; add cherries and walnuts; sauté.


• Add port wine to the pan to deglaze.


• Reduce port by 3/4 until thick and syrupy; add veal stock.


• Reduce until sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon; remove from heat.


• Using an apple corer, cut center from squash chips; stuff with four asparagus spears and 1 red pepper strip each.


• Heat asparagus bundles by steaming for approx 1 minute in colander or place in microwave safe dish with enough water to create steam, wrap in plastic and nuke for 45 seconds or until the bundles just begin to steam.


• Preheat sauté pan; coat lightly with olive or canola oil.


• Season elk with salt and pepper; gently place in span; sauté 30-40 seconds, then flip the meat over-suggested serving temperature is rare to medium rare.


• Plate elk up on top of two slices of warm yam, and place an asparagus bundle on the plate.

My Top Five Healthful Snacks

@Redmountainspa

By Dr. Reema Sayegh,
Nutritionist

As a Holistic Nutritionist at Red Mountain Resort & Spa, I meet with people every day, each one with a unique focus or challenge. However, many of my clients share a particular concern: how to enjoy snacks without sabotaging a sound eating program.

I face this challenge myself on a regular basis. Sometimes it seems impossible to ignore the lure of that fast food tidbit or store-bought cookie or carb-rich p.m. pick-me-up when the 3:00 “witching hour” rolls around. Ditto the chips or ice cream that whispers sweet nothings in the ear during prime time television hours, when we’re nice and relaxed and ready to veg out with some comfort food. In small amounts, how bad could it be, right? Wrong!

Most of us ingest 500 to 800 calories a day between meals, in the form of snacks, when we’re not paying true attention. This is also known as “mindless eating.” But don’t panic, or give up. Mindless eating can easily become mindful eating with a little effort, discipline and creativity.

Enter my Top Five Healthful Snacks. This list of whole-food, nutrient-dense, metabolism-boosting, no-hassle eaties will satisfy the hunger without destroying the diet.

Number One: Homemade Trail Mix. This little pick-me-up isn’t as labor-intensive as it may sound. All we need is raw mixed nuts, unsulfured and unsweetened dried fruit, unsweetened coconut flakes and possibly unsweetened dark chocolate chips. We can plan ahead and put the final batch into pre-measured ¼-cup servings and tote this mélange of flavors wherever we go for an energy boost that’s bursting with essential fatty acids, premium plant proteins, complex carbohydrates, fiber and flavor.

Number Two: Sliced Fruit and Nut Butter. I used to love sleepover night at my friend Kathy’s house. Kathy wasn’t so much fun, but her mom used to get up in the middle of the night and let me enjoy sliced Granny Smith apples and peanut butter with her. She claimed it helped chase away the bad thoughts. To be honest, I didn’t really have any troubling thoughts, but I joined her anyway because I just thought it tasted pretty good. Try it yourself. Don’t have time to prep the apples? No worries. The good folks at Chiquita have already thought of that. They sell pre-bagged, pre-sliced Grannies ready for eating. Ditto the peanut butter people. Several manufacturers offer single-serving (2 tablespoon per container) tear-off packets of natural peanut butter (free of hydrogenated oil and added sugar). This makes the perfect, portable, portion-friendly snack.

Number Three: Baked Whole-Grain Chips. There are now several companies that make delicious bagged chips with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor. And they’re good for you!! Honest! There are many varieties, but some of the most popular items share a few staple ingredients: whole grain, expeller- or cold-pressed olive or sunflower oil, vegetable powder (such as beet, spinach and tomato), flaxseed meal (which adds protein, EFAs and fiber) and sea salt. Some even come in small single-serving bags. Nothing could be simpler.

Number Four: Bars with Visible, Recognizable Ingredients. We don’t have enough copy space to give you the entire list of snack bars that are both delicious and nutritious. Suffice it to say, the cream of this crop features a plethora of nuts, seeds, chopped fruit, microgreens, Omega fatty acids and agave or date nectar, all seamlessly blended together for a snack that has it all.

Number Five: Homemade Smoothies. The possibilities are virtually endless with this one. It takes five minutes and a sturdy blender to whip up a drink that delivers vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, fatty acids, protein and, oh yeah, taste! Basics include organic frozen fruit, plain low-fat kefir or yogurt, flax oil or chia seeds, and sweetener of choice (agave or Stevia). I usually jazz mine up with a microgreens powder and plant milk, and I’m out the door.

So there it is; my list of favorite snacks. These can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere, by anyone. Happy eating!

Red Chile Vinaigrette

@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Ingredients:
1 1/2 Jalapeno Pepper
1 t Chopped Garlic
1/2 T Chopped Shallot
1/2 C Cilantro
1 C Rice Vinegar
1/2 C New Mexico Red Chile Puree (Mae Ploy Sweet Chile Sauce may be substituted)
20 fl oz Thickened Vegetable Stock
1 T Toasted Cumin Seed
2 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients except for olive oil.


• Blend until all ingredients are completely incorporated.


• Drizzle in the olive oil.


• Note: Vegetable stock can be thickened by bringing it to a boil and slowly whisking in a slurry of cornstarch and cold water, then simmering the stock until it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Cool before combining with other ingredients.

Healthy Heart Exercise to Re-energize Your Day

@RedMountainSpa
Chair Squat: While sitting, lift up until your hips are just hovering over the chair, arms out for balance. Hold for 2-3 seconds, stand all the way up. 8-12 repetitions

Asparagus is in the Air

@RedMountain Spa

By Dale Van Sky,
Executive Chef

Spring is in the air, and asparagus is in season and readily available.

When choosing asparagus I always pick the biggest spears as they have much better flavor than the thin ones. To clean the large spears of asparagus cut two inches from the bottom. Peel the spears from the bottom up to the start of the tip. Steam asparagus for 5 minutes or add a little olive oil and place on the grill to add a wonderful flavor. Asparagus is packed with potassium, vitamins K, C, A and B6. It also contains riboflavin, thiamine, niacin protein and iron.

Grilled Vegetables and Marinade

@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Vegetables Ingredients:
5 medium Zucchini, cut lengthwise, 1/2" thick
5 medium Yellow Squash, cut lengthwise, 1/2" thick
3 Roma Tomatoes, halved lengthwise
7 oz. Marinade for grilled vegetables (see recipe below)
1/2 C Garlic Cloves, roasted
1/4 C Lemon Peel
1/2 C Shallots, roasted

Grilled Vegetable Marinade:
3/4 C Olive Oil
1 T Basil, dried
1 T Oregano, dried
1/2 T Thyme, fresh
1/2 T Fresh Rosemary, chopped
1 t Kosher Salt
1/2 t Black Pepper
1 1/2 T Garlic, chopped

Directions for Vegetables:

• Cut the zucchini, yellow squash, and roma tomatoes.


• Add to the marinade, mixing to coat thoroughly.


• Roast the garlic and shallots, cool, then chop coarsely.


• Grill the squash and tomatoes on a broiler, cool on a sheet pan, then cut on a bias.


• Combine with the garlic and shallots.

Directions for Marinade:

• Combine all ingredients

April National Stress Awareness Month

@RedMountainSpa

By Tracey Welsh,
General Manager

You might look at April National Stress Awareness Month and think “Thank you very much. I’m already aware that I have stress, I don’t need a month to remind myself!” Awareness is always a good first step, now, on to “What are you going to do about it?”

Personally, I hate to admit that I’m “stressed,” and I’m the type of person can generally put things aside to make them “go away.” However, when you find that the top five stressors are Personal Relationships, Children, Financial, Workplace and generally being “too busy,” I think even I have to agree – they simply won’t go away – and nor can I imagine my life without any of them.

Now, on to the “what can I do about it?” Give yourself permission and time to deal with your stress. One of our Red Mountain Personal Trainers once said to me, “we all have the same 24 hours a day; it’s how you choose to spend them.” I hear these words every time I have the urge to say “I’m too busy to do it.” Here are five stress reducing techniques to consider:

• Go for a Walk. Around the block, around the office, the place doesn’t really matter, however I think the physical movement, away from the stress, allows you to refocus your energy.


• Take a breath: an excellent stress buster technique to relieve tension, oxygenates the blood, relaxes muscles and gives your brain a boost.


• Taking a mental break. I refer to this one as “changing the channel.” It’s that amazing phenomenon that occurs when you “stop looking for your lost keys, and suddenly find them.” It’s funny how often the answers arrive, when you aren’t dwelling on the question.


• Eat a healthy diet. Add stress to eating poorly and it equals = more stress. If you are going through a high stress period, nurture yourself with good food. I take an apple break at 11 am. Something I can do at my desk, for me!


• Talk it out. Each night when my father came home from work, my mother sat with him, sans kids, and listened to him download his day. This ritual and loving therapy was his daily stress management tool.

Of course, we cannot trivialize the affect of stress on our lives as it’s considered one of the highest factors in preventable disease. With that, you simply can’t afford to not carve time out of your day to find relief to your stress, however indulgent that may seem.