RELAX AND CHILL OUT

Stress Tip

Try this little shower tip to reduce pain and stress. In the shower, grab your hair close to your scalp and tug up to release tension. Rub your fingers in small circles over your entire head to stimulate blood flow.

RELAX AND CHILL OUT
Here are just a few samples of information from Jon KabatZinn. He is a world leader in mindfulness based relaxation techniques. YouTube offers a six-part series that contains priceless insights and information. The quotes listed below are from the YouTube six part video series.
“The level of stress being seen at this time is incredible – the digital age has sped up our lives to levels the Human Being cannot tolerate. We have less time than ever for ourselves.”
“Stress manifests as diseases, chronic pain.”
“We need to participate in our own well being – there are limits to what medicine and medical practitioners can do for us.”


“The heart of stress reduction is actually reorienting yourself to know who it is you are and be present to your life as it is unfolding- that is the door into health.”
“We may not even live in our own bodies. We are wired to the outside world but are very disconnected from our inner life.”
“We actually spend a lot of time cultivating mind states like anger, impatience, mindlessness.”
“Practicing dropping into just breath awareness is the least interesting part of the practice but it is strengthening the ability to access patience, relaxation, awareness, mindfulness in “regular life.” It helps you deal with the catastrophes, the pain of being human. You can actually grow the capacity for stability and calmness of mind. Your life is your practice really.”

Fresh Starts

Spring is a great time for a fresh start – shake up your life with a new healthy recipe or exercise. Maybe some spring cleaning to declutter your space.

As the days lengthen, your body just naturally feels a new zip - well maybe for you students this is a bit mixed with the craziness of final assignments and exams.

It is a good time to set new resolutions in motion. The energy is rising as the earth starts to blossom in this corner of the globe. Ride that energy wave to strengthen some of your own resolves.

Maybe you want to quit smoking, become more environmentally friendly, take up an activity, get rid of junk you no longer need, treat your body better by feeding it well, drink less, smile more, or just quit trying to make any improvements and accept yourself and your life exactly the way it is!!!!

Good luck with finals and with whatever resolves you make for yourself.

Are You Emotionally Intelligent?

Research is showing that one of the best predictors of success is emotional intelligence rather than just left brain intelligence(ability to gather information). Some of the competencies in emotional intelligence include self awareness, managing yourself and giving yourself.

1."Self awareness" is knowing yourself ... clearly without wishful thinking or blinders. Are you of a generous nature or do you tend to have trouble trusting there will be enough? Do you hold a grudge or let go easily? Are you warmly affectionate or more reserved?

2.Part of "managing yourself" is developing your intrinsic motivation. This means following your inner guidance based on your own values, rather than being externally driven by constant motivation from your fear of being excluded if you don’t follow the herd – peer pressure, TV, drinking habits,values, etc.

3."Giving yourself" means connecting your daily actions with your larger sense of purpose.

You can connect one of your own personal actions with a larger sense of purpose this weekend by participating in Eath Hour. On March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m., join millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off your lights for Earth Hour, an event created by the World Wildlife Fund.



An interesting discussion about developing your ability to be motivated by your inner values rather than the external “I should do this” kind of voice.

http://www.6seconds.org/pod/media/EQ-planet-intrinsic-motivation.mp3


http://www.myskillsprofile.com/tests.php?test=21&gclid=CNKE1_Gpoo0CFRlmWAodcV865w

Happiness-What is it?

Well, what is your answer to that one? What is happiness? When I was younger I thought happiness was just a sappy capitalistic plot to numb the mind. Ha! I wasn't very interested in being happy. Or so I thought. Now that I am older and wiser, I can see that it is an essential part of the human condition. The word gets tossed around but have you given it any personal attention?

There is short term happiness like sex, drugs, rock and roll or screamo; shopping, a car or a better job. After a while you start to notice the short termness of these kinds of things, however. And some of those things have nasty side effects.Not that they don't have their place. But as far as offering real and solid refuge from the bumpy road of life, they don't cut it. At least that's what I think.

I'd love to hear what others think about happiness. Here is what the Dalai Lama says about it.

“I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think the very motion of our life is towards happiness.” Dalai Lama

It's tough to know what specific changes can bring more happiness. The following self test can enable you to pinpoint what areas of your life may be adding to or detracting from your sense of happiness.


You can go to this site to take the Happiness Self Test. The questions themselves will get you thinking about what consitutes happiness.

stress.about.com/od/selfknowledgeselftests/a/happy.htm

It's Smart to be Happy

Another day of classes is over but you have assignments due and tests to study for ; your brain is overloaded, you feel overwhelmed and tired. And tomorrow will be the same.

Creating a good life for yourself requires learning to balance each of the aspects that make up a human being. This includes physical, emotional, mental and emotional health. Form positive habits starting now.

Thoughts of failure and repeated procrastination actually cause chemical and electrical signals in the body that put your body in “protect” mode rather than “growth and integration.” That literally means that if you feel stressed the blood is flowing to the back of your brain and not to the lobes that help you learn and retain new information. So, making sure you are working with a brain that is relaxed and happy makes you smarter!

Being organized to get tasks done, alternating study with short breaks to stretch or get some water and taking time out for fun, physical activity and relaxation all promote learning.

Getting great marks but ignoring the important relationships in your life; being extremely physically fit but not leaving time to nurture friendships or spend quiet, reflective time to nourish the spirit leaves you feeling unbalanced.

Eat Stress, Drink Stress

What you eat is what you are! If you feel stressed maybe you are eating stress! What does that mean?

It is just the simple truth that what you eat will influence your feelings and thoughts for the day. If you have a lot of sugar and caffeine in your diet, your body will be in stress mode which means it interprets a lot of what is going on around you as danger.

When you eat food that is closely connected to your body's own makeup you are more likely to interpret the events going on around you in more neutral and relaxed terms. Do yourself a big favour - Eat relaxation.

Some good basics from the Canadian Dietician Association:


Eating 5-10 servings of vegetables and fruit is easier than you think! Start today by making one small change.

Make a "fruit roll-up" by rolling cut-up fruit in a tortilla shell

Pair sliced bananas or a handful of dried berries with cereal or yogurt

Pack cut-up vegetables and fruit in reusable containers as a tasty snack you can take with you

Peel a banana, dip it in yogurt, roll it in crushed cereal and freeze it for a tasty "fruitsicle"

Have a salad with dark greens like spinach or romaine lettuce, or make a vegetable stir-fry for dinner.

Instead of drinking your serving in the form of juice, choose to eat the whole vegetable or fruit

If possible, eat the skins and peels of vegetables and fruit where most of the fibre is found. Consider that a 125mL glass of orange juice contains the juice of three oranges, but only has one-tenth the fibre of one orange.



One serving is:

1 medium size vegetable or fruit
1/2 cup of fresh, frozen or canned vegetables or fruit
1 cup green leafy salad
1/2 cup of 100% juice
1/4 cup of dried fruit.


At this site, under the Eat Well, Live Well section you will find quizzes, facts and interactive resources. Great tips for quick, easy meals, understanding food labelling, understanding your body’s nutritional needs and lots more.

http://www.dietitians.ca/index.asp

Finances getting Tight?

Don’t wait until you have no money left to start thinking about budgeting. This is a major stressor for college students so plan ahead to keep your cool. Being prepared means you can maintain your relaxed mind which is going to help you succeed socially and academically.

Maybe you are thinking it is already too late to budget but getting a clear sense of how you will survive this home stretch is well worth some time.


The Loyalist Financial Aid office has a wonderful pamphlet which will help guide you through the necessary steps for good money management.

Emergency food hampers are available to students so be sure you don't go hungry. Students can meet with their Student Success Mentor, Counselling Services, Mind and Wellness Nurse if they are in need of food.

This site offers tips on budgeting your funds.

http://www.mala.ca/mariners/mental.htm#Budgeting%20Funds