To move forward from the last one sent to you, the Jeffrey Brantley & Wendy Millstine book used indicates regarding “DRAIN THE STRAIN” the following:
“Few of us think of our work space as a refuge for meditation. But even in the sometimes hectic realm of work, you can find inner and outer space for peace. The next exercise can be done at your desk, the office hallway, or even outside.
1. In a standing position, inhale slowly and deeply from the diaphragm. Exhale, and let your jaw, tongue, arms and shoulders go completely loose. Feel the heaviness throughout your entire body, pulsating down your arms and legs as though they were hollow drainpipes.
2. With each inhale, imagine gusts of refreshing air flushing the tension through these pipes and pushing it out at your fingertips and toes with each exhale.
3. Shake out your body thoroughly by jiggling your shoulders to each side and swinging your arms to and fro. You can also jiggle each leg, one at a time.
When you recognize your stress levels maxing out, take five minutes to decompress, unwind, and shake out your mounting tension.”
We develop strain through intense situations. During the past few wellness sessions, there has been a great deal of focus upon meditation and relaxation techniques. These have spawned off ideas for additional ways to relax that we may or may not have given thought to before, which is always nice to generate new perspectives as new perspectives in relaxation techniques can give way to new ways of thinking and new ways of thinking can give way to new ways we can respond to our callers such that we don’t become repetitive in the responses we might suggest to them. After all, specialized herbal teas or bubbly bubble baths, aren’t the only cure all to being relaxed and pampered at times.
Draining the strain is healthy for our souls. It lowers blood pressures. It creates less havoc in our lives. The question remains though: How are you going to drain your strain today?
~~ NEXT WEEK’s TOPIC: FEELING RUSHED ~~
Some quotes to give fuel for thought:
“Long, long days offer the opportunity to think luxuriously. They offer the time to BE luxurious – with yourself. Long days are not just for getting more work done.” – Anonymous
“When mothers feel guilty, the children suffer.” -- Maria & Maya Rodale
“When I stopped seeing my mother with the eyes of a child, I saw the woman who helped me give birth to myself.” – Nancy Friday
“Don’t try to be such a perfect girl, darling. Do the best you can without too much anxiety or strain.” – Jesse Barnard
