Health Centres - Stress-busting techniques
Many people think medicines are the answer to stress, but this is no longer the view of the medical profession.
Virtually all doctors agree that tranquillisers and sedatives are not the answer to excessive stress. Instead, people should try to find simple, natural ways of reducing tension.
Take regular breaks at work
Many people work long hours. Sometimes this can't be avoided, but taking sufficient breaks can go a long way to combating stress.
Occupational expert Professor Cary Cooper says a break is a haven from continual workplace stress. Yet a survey conducted by Macmillan Cancer Relief found that 47 per cent of workers admitted that they regularly forego tea and coffee breaks, and that 56 per cent rarely take off the time they're entitled to for lunch.
Lunch, it seems, has become one of the biggest casualties in our rushed lifestyles.
Jane Tobbell, senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Metropolitan University says: 'Time spent away from the office is not necessarily time spent away from productivity. Sitting at the same desk in the same office all day every day will result in poor performance.'
Going without lunch – especially if you also stay indoors at your desk in the middle of the day - is not a kind or good way to treat your body and mind.
Try to take regular breaks at work and at least a 30-minute break for lunch.
Don't underestimate fresh air
As a nation, most of us probably don't get enough fresh air, which may contribute to our stress levels.
Previous generations spent far more time in the open air because there were no cars, and they walked far greater distances then we do today. They also played more sport out of doors before the advent of gyms and leisure centres.
Most of us feel more tranquil in the outdoors – particularly in the countryside or at the coast. Even in the most urban setting there are usually parks.
Walking in a leafy environment seems to soothe our minds. And it is undeniably good for our bodies as trees and bushes generate oxygen and soak up carbon dioxide. So, we tend to feel healthier and more energized if we can sit or walk somewhere where there are plenty of trees.
Another factor is that, as a rule, noise levels are much lower in leafy environments than they are when we're in the office or walking along a busy street.
The impact on our stress levels of this everyday noise should not be underestimated.
If you want to feel less stressed, try to get more fresh air by going out into the countryside at the weekend, or making use of city parks.
Keep changes simple
Now, let's look at some other methods of relaxing and thus reducing tension.
Orgasm
The post-orgasmic phase makes you tranquil and soporific and it should also remove all the knots of tension from your head and shoulders.
Relaxation tapes
You'll find a list on the website of the Royal College of Psychiatrists: www.rcpsych.ac.uk.
Hypnosis
Many practitioners believe that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. In other words, you're really hypnotising yourself – even under someone else's instruction. This means going into the deeply relaxed altered state that we call hypnosis is a matter of choice.
The hypnotic state is a natural one that many of us lapse into daily. When you walk to the local shop and can't remember crossing the road, you've really been in a hypnotic state: your mind has been elsewhere while your body has been working on auto-pilot.
There are people who find they can take themselves down into a deeply relaxed state. Others learn it from tapes or books.
If you choose a session or two with a professional, make sure you go to someone properly qualified. Most qualified practitioners will agree to show you methods of self-hypnosis during that initial session.
A good organisation is the National Council for Hypnotherapy. Take a look at their website: www.hypnotherapists.org.uk.
Other ways to improve your stress levels include listening to music you like, meeting up with friends more regularly, making time for your leisure interests and taking up some regular sport – competitive or otherwise.
People don't often say this in polite company, but there are few things more relaxing in life than the aftermath of an orgasm. It doesn't cost anything, and you don't even need to do it with anyone else.
These really work, so long as you do them daily. There are many brands - some of which you can find in your local chemist or health shop, others are only available by mail order.
Hypnosis helps people relax. It also buoys them up so that they feel better about themselves.
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