Use Visualization as a Mini-De-Stress Technique to Lighten Your Day

Though most of us have stress in our lives, we don't have the time to spend doing lengthy exercises to reduce it. But we can all find five minutes in a day to perform the following relaxation technique. It could add hours of productivity to your life.

Try this exercise of simple visualization during five-minute breaks in your daily schedule. It will enhance your energy and alertness and give you a feeling of well being.

Visualization: Close your eyes, close out sound as best you can, and picture yourself in a quiet, restful place from your memory. Maybe it's a beach, a certain sunset, a mountain retreat or a park bench. If you cannot honestly recall one, create a scene in your imagination. Go there mentally; see yourself in that spot; smell the air, the salt spray, the pine forest, the flowers; feel the coolness, warmth, tropical breezes. Revel in the moment in that place. Visualize yourself there for as long as you can. While visualizing, it's important to breathe in deeply until your chest fills up with air, then let the air out slowly, repeating the deep breathing throughout the whole exercise.

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Question of the Week

Question: 
I work out regularly, mostly walking but I want to move up to running. Every time I run a short distance, I get cramps in my side. Please give me some type of tip to make it stop.

Answer: 
Frequently, a hitch or cramp in the side while running is caused by trapped gas. First, we recommend you get checked out by your doctor to make certain you have no greater physical problem. Once you've ascertained that, we recommend you warm up by walking briskly for a longer period of time before you start running. After you've warmed up for at least 10 minutes, then begin a slower pace of running and increase speed gradually. If you still get a cramp, stop running and put pressure with the palm of your hand on the side where the cramp occurs. Press and gently massage the area while walking at a moderate pace. Then go through the same routine again. Repeat until you no longer get a cramp in your side. Do not continue running with a cramp. Always stop and walk while putting pressure on the cramped area until it goes away. 

Excess gas can be caused by eating too fast, inhaling air in the process; by running too soon after a meal; by ingesting carbonated beverages and gassy foods such as cabbage, beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts, hot dogs and processed foods. An over-the-counter product that, by all reports, seems to work well in alleviating gas is "Beano" and you can buy it in most any drugstore or supermarket. We also suggest you drink more water and eat small meals more frequently. Wait at least two hours after a meal before running.

Check our Health & Fitness Home Page for more health tips on exercise and weight loss and just plain healthy living. And let us know how you're doing. Good luck.

The HFT Staff

NOTE: If you would like to see your question featured here, please submit to: questions@health-fitness-tips.com

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