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Jumpstart Your Fitness: By easing stress, pain, and bad moods
Posted on May 5th 2008 6:00AM by Rigel Celeste
Swimsuit season is fast approaching! It's just around the corner so now is the time to uncover that beautiful beach body you've been keeping under wraps all winter. Is yours hidden beneath an extra layer of winter flab? Have a great exercise plan in mind but having a hard time getting motivated because of stress, pain, anxiety or even depression? Relaxation is one of your body's best healing mechanisms, but it's not always easy to do. Natural techniques like breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, and guided imagery can help, plus you don't need any special equipment or training to reap the benefits.Relieve stress with breathing Focusing on your breath and doing some simple meditation, even just for a minute or two, can work wonders towards relieving daily stresses.
How to do it
Find a comfortable chair and sit down
Take a few slow deep breaths, saying to yourself "I am" as you breath in, and "at peace" as you breath out
Find a comfortable chair and sit down
Take a few slow deep breaths, saying to yourself "I am" as you breath in, and "at peace" as you breath out
Relieve pain with relaxation Progressive muscle relaxation can help with tight muscles, tension headaches, and stress, among other things.
How to do it
Lie flat on your back and get comfortable
One by one, picture each muscle in your body flexing for a few seconds (up to half a minute) and then relaxing
Start with the muscles in your face and work your way all the way down to your toes
For the best results repeat twice a day for 15-20 minutes each
Lie flat on your back and get comfortable
One by one, picture each muscle in your body flexing for a few seconds (up to half a minute) and then relaxing
Start with the muscles in your face and work your way all the way down to your toes
For the best results repeat twice a day for 15-20 minutes each
Beat a bad mood with guided imagery Mild cases of anxiety, depression, and even just plain bad moods can be helped with a technique called "guided imagery."
Need more inspiration? Check out "America Takes it Off" where, for the month of May, America is challenged to lose the extra pounds. It's a feature full of great exercises, workouts, ideas, tips, and inspiration!
How to do it
Find a comfortable spot and sit down
Take a few deep breaths and close your eyes
Picture yourself in a place that brings good feelings (like a favorite room in your house, vacation spot, time with family, or favorite meal)
When nagging, negative, or stressful thoughts intrude gently put them aside and return to the peaceful happy picture you've created
Repeat twice a day for about five minutes each
Find a comfortable spot and sit down
Take a few deep breaths and close your eyes
Picture yourself in a place that brings good feelings (like a favorite room in your house, vacation spot, time with family, or favorite meal)
When nagging, negative, or stressful thoughts intrude gently put them aside and return to the peaceful happy picture you've created
Repeat twice a day for about five minutes each
Need more inspiration? Check out "America Takes it Off" where, for the month of May, America is challenged to lose the extra pounds. It's a feature full of great exercises, workouts, ideas, tips, and inspiration!
