In general, most people want to try to reduce the stress in their lives.  But if you’re not like most people, you may want to shake things up a bit with a large dose of stress.  Trying do increase external stress factors may not be easy, because it can be difficult to control them.  You’ll most likely waste a lot of time and energy with no real net increase in stress. But on the other hand, if you purposely follow my 8-step Stress Enhancement Program, you’ll be on the fast track to a stress-packed life…

8-Step Stress Enhancement Program

1. Avoid Exercise - simply avoid burning extra calories at the gym, walking the dog, playing with the kids, or whatever.  Encourage your body to juice up with cortisol (a stress hormone) and hinder your body’s production of endorphins (pleasure hormones).  Even if you have a short time to exercise, avoid the temptation.  Stay focused on your stress.  Even a short amount of exercise can clear your mind, reduce your stress, and sabotage your goals.
2. Keep the Stress Bottled Up – as much as you’d love to vent and tell others about the stress in our life, simply don’t do it.  Keep your stress deep inside.  By doing this, you will avoid hearing other people’s perspectives which could sabotage your stress improvement goals.  Keep your mind on continual, negative, stressful thoughts.
3. Stay Immersed in Your Stressful Situation – avoid anything that may take you away from your stress.  Avoid visiting friends, trips to the park, walks on the beach, vacations, etc.  If you want to launch your stress to new heights, shun anything that could remove you from your stressful environment,
4. Eat Unhealthy Foods – avoid so-called healthy foods choices. Indulge in junk foods, fast foods, processed foods,  caffeine and sweets.  Nothing thwarts relaxation more that a quick burst of “artificial” energy.  Avoid foods that provide “healthy” energy, such as whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.  Filling your body with unhealthy foods is one of the keys to achieving a stress-filled life.
5. Stay in Work Mode as Long As Possible – stay in “work mode” right up to the last waking minute of each day.  Keep your mind intently focused on work as much as possible. Even if your body has left work, your mind doesn’t have to!  Ignore any temptations to refresh yourself and “enjoy life”.
6. Avoid a Good Night’s Sleep – get yourself “fired-up” at bed time.  Build off of your frustrations, anxieties, and worries.  Avoid any activities that may act to calm yourself, such as reading, prayer, deep breathing exercises, or any other relaxation techniques.  Eat just before lying down to sleep. Don’t give your body a chance to digest your food.  That bloated feeling will contribute to a terrible night’s sleep.
7. Don’t Forgive Others – hold in all your anger, resentment, and bitterness.
8. Ignore Your Pain – relish your pain, stiffness, and stress.  Avoid any temptation to call your chiropractor or massage therapist.  Chiropractic care and massage can relieve pain and relax your body and many patients report that they have less stress while under care.  No matter how tempted you are to call your chiropractor, just don’t do it!

On the other hand, if you are like most people, and you want to reduce your stress… give us a call any time.  Remember, we’re here to help!

Most people find sleep enjoyable – as it provides refreshing rest for the body and soul. But if you’re NOT like “most people” (perhaps you describe yourself as a rebel of sorts) and you could care less about the health benefits of a great night’s sleep… then read on.  By implementing only a handful of the following tips, you can achieve a truly horrible night’s sleep:

1. Stay in “work mode” right up to the last waking minute.  Keep your mind intently focused on work as much as possible. Even if your body has left work, your mind doesn’t have to!  Ignore any temptations to refresh yourself and “enjoy life”.
2. Get yourself “fired-up” at bed time.  Build off of your frustrations, anxieties, and worries.  Avoid any activities that may act to calm yourself, such as reading, prayer, deep breathing exercises, or any other relaxation techniques.  Especially avoid talking things out with a loved one.  Just keep holding on to anything and everything that’s bothering you.
3. Eat just before lying down to sleep. Don’t give your body a chance to digest your food.  That bloated feeling will contribute to a terrible night’s sleep.
4. Avoid exercising.  Exercise can contribute to the relief of your tension, which you just can’t afford to lose if you’re looking to toss and turn all night.
5. Indulge in caffeine and sweets.  Nothing thwarts relaxation more that a quick burst of “artificial” energy.  Avoid foods that provide “healthy” energy, such as whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.  Filling your body with unhealthy foods is one of the keys to achieving a horrible night’ sleep.
6. Don’t forgive others.  Hold in all your anger, resentment, and bitterness.
7. Make sure your pillow and mattress provide no support.  Avoid “cervical” pillows and therapeutic beds, as they can only act to relax your spine and body.
8. Ignore your pain.  Avoid any temptation to call your chiropractor or massage therapist.  Chiropractic care and massage can relieve pain and relax your body and many patients report  that they sleep better while under care.  Relish your pain and stiffness, and don’t worry… it’ll be there in the morning.

The other thing that caught my eye was something different on the back cover. It was actually another ad placed on the back of the menu. The ad was for a medical team consisting of internists, cardiovascular specialists and cosmetic surgeons!

Right on the back of the pizza menu!

Now that’s what I call targeted marketing! I guess these doctors have it really figured out. After all, who’s going to need their services more than a bunch of pizza gluttons!

From now on you don’t need to worry about overindulging on high fat, low calorie, and disease-causing foods!

Clogged coronary arteries?… Not a problem. Unsightly riccotta-cheese thighs?… Not a problem. Stomach ulcer?… Not a problem. Just call the doctors on the back of the menu. They’ve got you covered.