Stress seems nearly unavoidable in a busy woman's world. Between work (co-workers, clients, bosses), the commute (crowded subways, crazy drivers), and home (kids, spouses, pets!) there is a lot in life to stress out about. Before you quit your job, push the car over a cliff, and lock yourself in the bathroom, read our guide to relaxation and stress relief. All it takes is a few minutes a day, some mindfulness, and the right necklace to take you from knotted muscles to enlightenment.
Love, SheFinds
.: Look Good, Feel Good :.
Rosena Sammi Bliss Necklace @ Boutique to You
Serenity has become fashionable, as demonstrated by celebs like Lindsay Lohan who's been adorning herself with a necklace from the Rosena Sammi Kismat Collection. These pieces feature words such as Bliss, Love, Hope, and Ohm written in Sanskrit in gold or silver. They're said to bring peace and harmony to the lives of those who wear them. Maybe Lindsay should wear all four at a time -- one doesn't seem to be cutting it.
But maybe she's on to something. In The Hidden Messages in Water, Dr. Masaru Emoto found that by placing positive words on bottles of water, he could harmonize the molecular structure of the liquid and make it happier. We're about 60% water, after all. What we choose to put on our bodies, like message tees and jewelry, can have a positive effect.
Me&Ro's pendant collection includes pieces not only with Sanskrit words, but also Chinese, Tibetan and Tamil script. Choose from more words -- like Sacred, Body & Soul, and Love & Compassion -- etched into hearts, discs, and other shapes.
For casual days, wear a message t-shirt that will remind you to "Seek Balance", "Choose Happiness", or "Practice Love and Gratitude". Find them at Tees for Change and Peaceful Company.
.: Wake Up In Peace :.
Zen Timepiece @ Ziasleep
How many of your days begin with an alarm jerking you out of sleep, several smacks of the snooze button, and a panicked leap into the shower when you realize you've overslept? No wonder you're stressed. Getting more sleep isn't always an option, nor is it the core of the problem.
If you often wake up when it's still dark and come home when it's already dark, your body isn't happy. Light therapy can help balance your Circadian Rhythms so you're better able to wake up on time and stay up as you need to. The Apollo Health goLITE can adjust your body clock in a matter of weeks.
Once your body has adjusted, you won't need a blaring alarm to rouse you. The Zen Timepiece's gentle gong sound increases over the course of 10 minutes, helping you wake up gradually and without stress.
If you can't do without music in the morning, plug a pillow speaker into your alarm clock. You can wake up to your morning radio or CD without bothering your partner, and it's perfect for listening to music or calming sounds as you fall asleep.
.: Become One With Your Body :.
AM/PM Yoga @ Gaiam.com
Once you start getting better sleep, you may discover you have some extra time in the morning -- use it wisely. Gaiam's AM/PM series offers easy ways to incorporate movement into your mornings without taking a huge chunk out of your day. Choose from Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, or Stretch.
You're at the most risk when you're working, especially if you're at a desk all day. Five minutes of movement every hour is enough to release stress and prevent pain. Keep a copy of Office Yoga by your keyboard for quick, easy poses and stretches to stave off stress injuries.
If you need reminders to stop and stretch, get a copy of the Flow Virtual Fitness Trainer. This software is designed to get you moving throughout the day at intervals you determine. You can choose just to stretch, to do a few minutes of exercise, or to skip the workout (but if you skip too many it will gently encourage you to do it, anyway).
For easy movements that will also help you lose weight, keep a SmartBell nearby. It only takes 10 - 15 minutes to go through the basic movements outlined on the DVD. You can also do an hour-long program to replace a full workout at the gym.
.: Open Your Mind :.
Buddha Board @ Peaceful Company
Stress ends up in the body, but starts in the mind. Stop the cycle before it begins with meditation. You don't need to take a class, go on a retreat, or even spend an hour in lotus position in order to learn and benefit. You can start with 8 minutes a day.
Kamal Sarma's Mental Resilience is an excellent book and CD that teaches a 21-day meditation program to eliminate stress and improve mental clarity. Start with 10 - 15 minutes of meditation every day, right at your desk or at home. Though if you're listening to the CD at work, we suggest a good pair of noise-canceling headphones to block out sounds.
Additionally, check out 8 Minute Meditation for more brief, guided practice.
Use an alarm that chimes gently to time your sessions. The Zen Timepiece we mentioned is great for home use, and the Zen Digital Alarm Clock will work for the office or travel.
Use a Buddha Board for quick (and fun) meditation. Draw a picture or paint names of things that anger or frustrate you. Then spend a few minutes sitting quietly and breathing deep while the water dries and the marks disappear from the board (and hopefully your life).
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