Take a break and de-stress yourself
Published on: Sunday, November 29, 2020
By: Dr T Selva
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Every day one cannot escape from hearing the word stress being uttered at work or home or anywhere due to the current pandemic and uncertainty.
The phenomenon is worrying because it is affecting productivity, sleep, health, appetite, peace of mind, relationships, well-being and peaceful living.
Many situations in our daily lives expose us to trauma and they include fear, uncertainty, traffic jams, work and family pressures, change in routines, displacement and the list can go on.
The ordeal is more now owing to Covid-19 which has left almost everyone unprepared and unsure of the future.
It is said that 80pc of illnesses are due to stress and if this is left unchecked, it can bring about an unhealthy society.
So how should an individual handle stress effectively so that he or she remains calm, cool and composed?
Management gurus have introduced several formulas, strategies and books on how to cope with the issue but the threat remains unresolved.
The answers on how to reduce or ward off tension are within us because the situation is due to the individual himself or herself.
For instance, leaving important tasks undone until the very last minute and then trying to rush through to complete them can cause pressure.
Every person should learn to programme themselves when undertaking any task like allowing sufficient time to get to work or for important meetings.
One should try to avoid working beyond one’s capacity like trying to do three or more things at the same time because they may be unable to give the same quality and result.
I strongly advocate that every person should have some time daily or at least several hours weekly to be alone with nature or do what they love most.
This gives them some space away from the rat race and helps them to ease their nerves and recharge their emotional energies.
Taking a break does not mean a holiday but taking off by just reading a book, exercising, meditating or watching a movie.
This can assist them to recover from any pressing situations.
It is vital that we take a serious look at our daily schedule and determine whether our body, mind and spirit are in the best of health to undertake the various tasks.
You should listen to your body and respond to it accordingly like slowing down, relaxing or going easy.
Whatever you ultimately decide, embrace that decision fully, and you will relieve the stress you feel.
Stress is part of life and it is vital we recognise it and take steps to alleviate it instead of conflicting with it.
Guidelines to manage stress
1. Sunset: Gaze at setting sun which has therapeutic effects on your body, mind and spirit. It has been proven that it can relieve anxiousness and promote calmness.
2. Listen to music: Music has a powerful influence on your body, mind and spirit and the correct type of tune can work fast to soothe your nerves.
Play instrumental or relaxed melodies because such tunes can give positive effects to your brain and feel encourage factor.
3. Humour: Whether real or fake, laughter can blow away your tightness and strain because your body recognises all forms of joyfulness. Laughter can alter your edgy self and make you cheerful.
4. Private space: Everyone has a private or favourite space at work or home. Take a short break and go to that space where you feel safe and protected because the subtle energies there will resonate and ease your stress.
5. Call a friend: Call a friend and it can be a child or a random friend who you have not spoken for a long time. People who you do not come in contact with daily have the power to unknowingly take you away from a stressful situation.
6. Silence: Observing stillness can quieten your mind and relax your body. One way to do this is to go on a prayer mode so that no one interrupts you when you are in your sacred space.
7. Walk on grass or sand: Remove your foot wear and walk bare foot on a patch of grass or sand. This ancient method says that the earth has the power to comfort your tight muscles and recharge you with tranquil energies.
8. Exercise: Doing any form of sports or exercise can side-track your mind from having stressful thoughts. Create a daily regime and follow it as much as you can because it will make you look forward to the happy activity.
9. Diet: Watch what you eat because in a stressful situation most people are inclined to eat fast food and snacks which are not helpful for your digestive system. Consume fruits and vegetables to help you reduce symptoms of stress.
10. Breathing exercise: Deep breathing can help clear your mind when you focus on your inhalation and exhalation. Spiritual masters and monks pay attention to breathing because it keeps them grounded, calm and in a state of peace.
- Dr T. Selva is speaker and the author of the bestseller book Vasthu Sastra Guide. To get a copy contact 012-3299713. He can be contacted at [email protected] Facebook: Vasthu Sastra and Website: www.vasthusastra.com
Exercise can side-track your mind from having stressful thoughts.
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