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!

Deep breathing has been shown to be an amazing tool anyone can use to help themselves achieve superior health.  Some of the health benefits of doing deep breathing include:

• invigorating your immune system (by pumping and stimulating the lymphatic system)
• improving lung health
• promoting relaxation and reduces the effects of stress (by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system)
• improving cardiovascular fitness (by increasing the amount of oxygen your heart and lungs can deliver to your cells)
• aiding in weight loss (by improving cardiovascular fitness)
• improving metal focus

Learning to do Basic Deep Breathing Exercises:

• sit in a cmfortable position
• exhale fully before beginning your first full inhale
• inhale slowly through the nose for a count of five (some people naturally breathe into the belly area while others into the chest)
• exhale slowly for a count of seven
• at full exhale hold for a count of two
• repeat 5-10 times

Give it a try and let me know how you do!