Raise your hand if a nap sounds pretty darn good right now. Yeah, I'm with you. But really, even though we all know it's good for our health, it just never happens, does it? Unless, of course, you happen to belong to a gym that offers a napping class (which, by the way, our own Fitz was calling for two years ago).

I'm serious -- some gyms truly are implementing a napping class. But it might not be quite what you think. If you've ever taken a yoga class, you're probably familiar with the intense relaxation that comes at the end of class when you reach Savasana, or Corpse Pose. And sadly, that pose usually only lasts for a few minutes.

More and more yoga classes are beginning to incorporate longer periods of this deep relaxation. At select Equinox fitness clubs, for example, members can take part in a 45-minute PowerNap+ class, which starts with light yoga and cardio and ends with 15 minutes during which they can relax or even sleep. In fact, the instructor covers members with a blanket and rubs lavender on their foreheads to encourage a little shut-eye. It's not yet available in all locations, but I wouldn't be surprised to see more of them pick the class up.

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On Martha Stewart's show yesterday, she focused on stress relief techniques, and one really hit home with me -- doga, which, as you might've guessed, is yoga with your dog. A year or so ago, a friend of mine gave me a Doga book, but really, it was just for laughs, not to teach any real skills.

Anyway, on Martha, there was a doga expert showing off some of the moves. The only problem is that the moves had to be done with a very small dog ... and both of mine are around 60 pounds. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be able to raise either of them over my head while in Warrior One and still, you know, breathe.

Still, I love the idea of joining together two of these stress relieving activities -- yoga and cuddling with puppies. And, there are ways to modify doga if you have a larger canine, like me -- check them out here!

Meditation and yoga may not burn as many calories as a tough session on the treadmill, but they might be the most effective activity you can do if you want to lose weight, according to recent studies. Experts believe that relaxing might be the key to successfully battling the bulge because it can help eliminate your cravings for fatty and sugary foods.

The reason why is pretty simple: "By learning and practising relaxation techniques as part of a wider lifestyle change programme, women have effective tools to manage stress and emotions without resorting to unhealthy eating," says Dr. Caroline Horwath of the University of Otago in New Zealand. And, according to the findings, weight loss achieved through relaxation was maintained in the long run -- which is not true of most dieting approaches.

So relax! Of course, by that, we mean take some time to yourself to do something healthy. Relaxing in front of the TV with a jumbo-sized bag of chips doesn't count.

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Yes, 50 is the new 40 and 70 is the new 60 and so on, but can you imagine carrying on your fitness routine well into your 80s? Joanne Good from the Daily Mail can, particularly since her 83-year-old mother is her role model, her motivator, her ... yoga teacher. Yes, someone just shy of 85 might possibly be more fit than you. Scary? Nah -- inspirational is more like it.

Yoga is the kind of activity you can do no matter what your age. It's one of those things that you can take at your own pace, and if one of the poses is too difficult, you can modify it or just move on. Yoga can be challenging or relaxing -- it's up to you. But no matter how you practice, you can't deny the good it does your body.

So what are you waiting for? Get yourself to a yoga class, pronto. And, more importantly, keep it up.

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Last night, I went to sleep around 11:30 only to wake up at 3:00 AM. Darn insomnia. For me, sleep is as elusive as the Loch Ness monster. It's a bummer, too, because sleep is so important for health. Not only does it directly affect your energy level, a good night's rest can also help you manage your weight, and research now shows that skipping sleep can harden your arteries.

If you're like me and sleep doesn't come easy, try these tips:

• Exercise regularly, but not within three hours of bedtime.
  
• Don't eat or drink a lot before bed.
• Stick to a schedule, and try to go to bed at roughly the same time each night.
• Make your bedroom restful by turning out all the lights, keeping the TV and radio off and maybe investing in a white noise machine (or using something like a quiet fan or air purifier for white noise).
• Relax before bedtime with a bath, a book or anything else that calms you. Avoid the computer and TV right before bed as they can be stimulating.

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Let's face it. Most of us have those days where we're tempted to use the old "I have a headache" excuse. But wouldn't it be a heck of a lot more fun just to take care of your sex drive like you take care of other aspects of your health? Try these tips:

• Exercise. Aerobic exercise gets your blood flowing, boosts your energy, and triggers endorphins. And when you incorporate exercise into your daily routine, you'll just feel better about yourself and confidence has everything to do with feeling sexy.
• Relax. A stressed-out mood isn't exactly made for the bedroom. In addition to your cardio workouts, try yoga or tai chi -- they offer mind-body benefits that can help you relax.
• Add a little novelty. And I don't mean novelty in the bedroom (although that's not a bad idea, either). Spend some quality time with your significant other doing something different -- go for a hike, play a game of tennis, or try your hand at a rock climbing wall. Any activities that have you working together will help increase your physical awareness of each other and will strengthen your relationship.
• Get your vitamins. Some supplements, such as Ginkgo biloba, have been linked with sex drive, but the science is sketchy at best. You're better off just sticking to a healthy diet including a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.
  

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In order to be a superb athlete, we all know you need to work your butt off and practice as much as possible. You might be surprised, though, to know that in order to become the best, you actually need to do the opposite -- relaxation is the key to breaking records, according to this article from the New York Times.

That's not to say you should take to the couch for a few years and expect to win a gold medal at the next Olympics. Nope, finding a balance between training as hard as you can while not stressing too much about your performance makes all the difference, according to experts. "It's the paradox of athletics," says Rick DeMont, coach at the University of Arizona and a former Olympian. "Tension is slow, tension is inefficient. You need to be relaxed."

Still, telling someone to relax is one thing. Actually being able to relax when hundreds, thousands, or millions of people are counting on your win is quite another. Your thoughts?

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There is no shortage of various styles on the market with new-fangled designs and supports. I don't own one, but I make it a habit to give hammocks a whirl whenever I have the opportunity. I still remember lounging in one with my husband on the Big Island of Hawaii under the moonlight at the Hilton Waikoloa Village resort after completing the Kona Marathon earlier that day in 2002.

But certainly one does not need to complete a marathon, visit an island or stay at a resort to make use of this lovely time-tested practice. I recently had the opportunity to make use of a hammock with my daughter in my brother-in-law's back yard in Northern California. It was the traditional woven style that allows gravity to force all of your muscles into relaxation. They are the best kind, I think. Since then, I've been scouting my yard for a good spot. I think I've found one in between two solid trees in the back. Just in time to enjoy the pleasant Fall temps and foliage.

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Getting a pedicure is one of the best ways to relax after a hard day, but hitting the salon every time you feel stressed can get expensive. But no worries!

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Creating a relaxing mood at the dinner table is half the battle when it comes to relieving tension and connecting to each other as a family, but it's often easier said than done. The key to setting any kind of mood is details details details! Here are 4 tips for getting a mellow mood off and running, or rather, relaxing at your next meal:

• Minimize background noise Namely the TV as it 's distracting and can even help spark disagreements.
• Set the mood Depending on your family the options are endless -- try setting up nice matching plates and a pretty centerpiece, light candles, have dinner out on the porch or deck, or even plan a picnic-style meal on the floor on pillows and blankets. Whatever will get everyone the most comfortable and relaxed.
• Get in the right mindset Take a moment before the start of the meal (and encourage everyone else to do the same) to clear your mind of the day's clutter and focus on the positives in the food and family around the table.
• Make cleanup a family affair Everybody should chip in when it comes to cleaning up, even little kids can help bring their dishes into the kitchen when the meal is over.

Walking a labyrinth regularly is good for your health, but probably not for the reasons you think. Most people think labyrinths are a kind of maze that takes thinking and memory to solve, but many labyrinths are just a path that follows a single direction, usually taking the form of concentric circles or a looping pattern. The difference between a maze and many labyrinths is that a labyrinth doesn't have choices, there's only one path in and the same path gets you back out. No dead ends, no tricks, no confusion.

So why is walking one good for you? Because, according to an article in the recent issue of Natural Health, it can be a kind of "moving meditation" that can help you relax, bring you peace, and help relieve stress. There's no trick to doing it right -- just walk in and walk out, at your own pace and in your own way. Wanna try it? Check if there's a labyrinth in your area with The Worldwide Labyrinth Locator.

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Time. Our greatest resource. I'll debate it with anyone. And I'll win.

Lack of it is responsible for most of what stresses us out. And taking it back is what makes us feel better. The idea of taking a few minutes to relax at the end of the day is possibly the most commonly given advice for recovering from a stressful day. Such a simple solution and so satisfying. But how often do you actually do it? Seems I witness more time spent complaining about now having time than taking time to shut up and relax.

And it makes a world of difference. However, those few minutes would not be quite as decadent for me if not for adding a glass of wine to the equation. Also pretty common, I know. Again, when's the last time? And it's not such a bad idea. In moderation, wine can actually be a good thing. It can even have an antioxidant effect. For some adding chocolate makes for the ultimate de-stress recipe.

So stop fretting that you don't have time or can't afford the calories and sit down with a bite or sip of something nice. For five minutes. OK, two. Whatever. The point is this: ridding ourselves of a day's stress isn't about large quantities of time, wine, chocolate or anything else. It's about coming up with your perfect recipe, whatever that may be. Just so long as it's small and simple.

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The other day, after a particularly stressful morning, I got into my car and suddenly took stock of myself. My heart was racing, I was breathing quickly, and my head was pounding. "That's it," I thought to myself, "You need to take five minutes and get yourself together. This isn't healthy."

Stress can be hard to avoid sometimes, but chronic stress can affect not only your mental and emotional health, but your physical health as well. CNN (via Parenting.com) has 13 ways to destress in five minutes or less. These are great little activities that you can do during a stolen moment to try to recenter yourself and remember what's important. My favorites include:

• Jump rope -- it releases those endorphins that make you feel so good.
• Say your ABCs backward to take your mind of what's stressing you out.
• Play some music; studies say it's a proven mood-booster.
• Get some sunlight to give yourself a serotonin boost.

Stress in unavoidable, but with these tips and the others you can turn your mood around before that stress pulls you under.

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Call me square. Call me granola. I'm up for any method of reducing stress that doesn't involve prescription or illegal substances.

So I really like these holistic ideas for brightening your outlook and lightening the mental load. The authors emphasize taking things slow when it comes to stress reduction. No quick fix or single solution is key. I especially appreciate the idea of doing things that are easy and free. There are such things. Incorporating the following 10 simple tips into daily life, many of which I do myself, can make a big difference:

• Add something beautiful to your life on a daily basis (e.g., flowers).
• Do some enjoyable activities whenever possible.
• Walk, work, and eat at a relaxed pace.
• Take a short break after meals to relax.
• If possible, go outside at least once per day and notice the simple things such as the weather, scenery, etc.
• During the day, whenever you remember, notice the tension in your body (jaw, neck, diaphragm, shoulders, etc.). Breath deeply and gently stretch and relax any tense areas.
• If you notice your mind racing or worrying about the past or future, take a minute to breath deeply and gently focus on something in the moment such as your breath, scenery, birds.
• Take breaks during the workday to relax.
• Wear comfortable and loose clothing when possible. Take off your shoes when you can.
• Avoid holding in feelings day after day, but instead, find a safe place to feel, express and embrace them.

Good luck!

Source: www.holisticmed.com

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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.

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