If your typical day involves lunching ‘Al Desko’ and your idea of a quick break is to grab another double espresso, perhaps it’s time to rethink your stress management strategy and incorporate this little ‘chill pill’ into your daily routine. 

Dubbed a ‘mini vacation’ this is like the little sister of the Power Nap – except this exercise can be done almost anywhere, even in front of your computer if you must, and takes no more than a few minutes to complete.

Essentially a relaxation exercise, this involves listening to a short music track overlaid with positive affirmations which gently but effectively return you to a grounded state and reconnect you with your inner balance.

It’s called a mini vacation because for the few minutes in which you are listening to the track, you can imagine yourself to be anywhere in the world you want. You could be on your favourite beach, or walking through an enchanted forest – it really is only limited by your imagination.

It can help to have your eyes closed as you visualise the scene, but if this is not possible, then using a discrete pair of earphones with a screensaver of your favourite holiday destination on your PC or iPad works just as well, and you don’t even have to leave your desk!

Even though this only lasts for a few minutes or so, the profound switch in your brainwave activity – from the high Beta of the hustle bustle of the day, to the gentle Alpha waves as you tune in and zone out to the music – this really can recharge your batteries and leave you feeling refreshed, energised and ready to re-enter the fray of daily life.

Learning to Let Go

The use of structured, mindful relaxation has long been recognised as a powerful tool to reduce stress, calm the mind and body, and increase our general health and well-being. Benefits of relaxation include:

• Reducing heart rate and blood pressure
• Increases blood flow to the muscles
• Decreases muscle tension
• Increases concentration and problem solving abilities
• Improves sleep quality
• Stabilises the emotions

Affirmations

 Inner Calm and Peace My Power Affirmations  www.mypoweraffirmations.com 

Affirmations have long been used and recommended help to focus the mind on things that we want to attract into our lives and help avoid those things that we don’t. Emile Coue’s “Every day in every way I’m getting better and better”, probably being one of the most famous examples.

By using spoken affirmations whilst listening to an uplifting track and whilst visualising a pleasurable and relaxing scene, this adds much more emotional depth and meaning to the spoken words, and help to create “emotional memories” which become associated with the affirmations you are listening to.

Experience this for yourself in the above video clip – entitled Inner Calm and Peace, this sample track has been kindly provided by www.MyPowerAffirmations.com, and provides an example of their work in this area.

If possible, watch the clip frequently and regularly whenever you feel you need to recharge yourself during the day, and you will soon find that you are able to enter the ‘mini vacation’ state almost instantly and at will!

Free mp3 Affirmation Track!

You can download an mp3 audio track of Inner Calm and Peace by visiting the My Power Affirmations website at: www.MyPowerAffirmations.com

Simply sign up for their free monthly newsletter and they will direct you to their download page.

The “Feel Good” factor 

4 ways to give yourself a lift 

1. TREAT YOURSELF

If you’re only working to pay bills and save money, life becomes monotonous. However, you can feel pampered without spending a fortune…

Everyday joys are about the little things.

Allow yourself to enjoy the fruits of your hard work by treating yourself to a regular manicure, massage, video game, or DVD.

Enjoy each and every day by making your happiness a priority. Look for the small, everyday moments that bring a smile to your face to begin experiencing the joy-filled life you deserve today.

Life is too beautiful to constantly put your needs on the backburner

2. EXERCISE 

If you’re currently a fan of spending your free time on the couch rather than out on the trails, it’s hard to imagine exercise as a form of bringing satisfaction into your life. But, once you begin exercising, you’ll become addicted to it!

3. TREAT YOUR CHORES AS OPPORTUNITIES

If your day seems to be an endless round of cleaning, cooking, shopping, and picking up the kids after school, escape the perceived drudgery and take advantage of the opportunity each one of these chores can give you.

When you’re cleaning the house, or mowing the lawn play some loud party music and dance as you go – you’ll get more exercise and have some fun while doing it.

Ask the children to help you prepare meals. You’ll enjoy quality time with them and teach them something at the same time.

4. ENJOY SOLITUDE

Grab a few minutes of “Me” time every day to clear the mind and regain your sense of balance and perspective.