10 Ways to Reduce Stress & Enjoy Life This Summer
By Karen Pearle

It's hard to find a person who isn't stressed these days. Life is stressful. What can we do to unwind our stressed minds and bodies—to find a way back to emotional calm and peace even for a short while? Right now, in the spring, all of nature is renewing and expanding. We want to feel great, too!

When we are stressed, our bodies respond as if we were in a continual emergency. Our breathing and heart rate accelerate, and our digestive functions slow down. We are in "fight or flight" mode. In this state, our normal, regular maintenance of the bod—resting, repairing and digesting— is less fully functional. We can't wind down. Since we are constantly mobilized for an emergency, we can't fully relax and enjoy life—or be empathic towards ourselves or loved ones. We may be constantly on the go, or feel sluggish and tired all the time.

Many people are unaware of being stressed. However, they may have a symptom—such as a digestive disorder, depression, headaches, or sleep disturbances. Symptoms are the way the body communicates with us to tell us something within needs our attention. Symptoms make us uncomfortable and can even be painful, and the suffering they cause can motivate us to begin a healing process that leads to greater insight and well-being.

As a Chi Nei Tsang practitioner and bodyworker, I am concerned with the origin of health problems and with building the resilience of the body's defense system. I work individually with people to reverse the stress response, by stimulating a recovery response so people can unwind and come back to the comfort and relaxation that the body remembers. Recovery and insight come from within, leading to physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing.

Here are some of the ways that you can reduce stress in your life. See what is helpful to you. In making any change there is no perfection! Have patience with yourself and take those steps you feel comfortable with:

 1. Eat meals at regular times - taking time to relax and slow down while you eat. Knowing when the next meal is and what food you'll be eating brings a sense of peace and comfort to our inner mind. There is nothing more stressful for our body than to be hungry, which triggers the stress response. Let your meals be a pleasant rest from problem solving. Take advantage of the many fresh fruits and vegetables available now.

 2. Find exercise that is satisfying and enjoyable - rather than something you have to do. Walk as much as you can. (An inexpensive pedometer can be a helpful aid to increase your time walking.)

 3. Restful sleep will repair and vitalize the body - If we go to sleep when we are exhausted, the body cannot complete this process. Slowly wind down and go to sleep before 11 pm, if possible, for a total of 7-8 hours. (getting away from the TV or computer an hour before sleep favors healthy sleep. Also stimulants such as coffee, soda and chocolate, taken during the day interfere with the relaxation response. See if you can limit or eliminate them.)

 4 . Use the sun for healing (Sunning) - For a few minutes, twice a day, stand or sit completely still facing the sun and close and relax your eyes. (Move your eyes slowly beneath your closed lids. And never look directly at the sun.) Now let the soothing rays of the sun penetrate your eyes, your brain and all the nerves in your body. This revitalizes your entire nervous system. Slowly open your eyes—you will feel like you are wearing sunglasses for a moment. The body has produced serotonin, which uplifts your feelings and will then produce melatonin which naturally promotes deep sleep.

 5. Balance work, rest and play - Take time every day to rest, nap, take breaks, and slow down. Reserve time to pursue the sports and arts that you love.

 6. Breathe fresh air - Get outside more, open your windows to let clean air in. Try this: Take a slow deep breath, and as you do so, breathe in pure white light, then slowly exhale, breathing out a dark cloud and let the cloud dissolve. (This can do wonders in the middle of a business meeting!)

 7. Appreciate your efforts - As Gandhi has said, "Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is victory."

 8. Seek supportive friends - who listen to you without trying to fix or change you.

 9. Simplify your life - Get rid of activities and things that you don't need.

 10. Take vacations - When you are on vacation, the first few days you may realize how tired you are. Take a while to wind down. Sleep as much as you can: Let your body heal and repair itself. Enjoy nature!