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Calm The Mind And Body
By
Lynn Serper |
 It
always surprises me that stress can be found at the oddest
times and in the most unusual places. It prowls when bright
and sunny days announce the end of winter or lurks in the
dark of night. Stress doesn’t seem to care if spring is on
the horizon. When life is lived there are often more
obligations than a heart or mind can bear. And that causes
stress. It might be triggered by getting somewhere on time,
or health problems, or taking care of our families, or
getting unpleasant mail. As March marches on, the time
arrives to prepare our taxes and unfortunately, for many
people, preparing taxes can bring about stress. Although
stress isn’t something we can completely avoid, it is
important that the stress does not become overwhelming. Not
only is it harmful to our bodies and our brains, but also,
we can miss so many of the good things in life when we are
worrying.
Many scientists say that stress leads to heart disease,
sleep problems and even obesity. In addition, unknown to
many, studies have shown that chronic stress has negative
effects on the brain. Continual worries can change chemical
processes in the brain and cause depression. It also has
been found to stunt the growth of brain cells and negatively
affect memory. Are there ways to protect ourselves from
stress? Although there is no complete cure for the strain of
stress, there are ways to calm the mind and body.
Considering that every person relaxes or reduces stress
differently there is a range of treatments available, and
most can be practiced wherever you are. Some people
meditate, take a bath, drink tea, listen to music, etc. It
is important to incorporate some relaxation in every day.
During tax time, find something just for you. Start a new
activity or a new calming ritual with a friend. Not only
will you relax, but also you will get to know someone
better, and ultimately, feel better. Now that the weather is
starting to get warmer, take a walk and enjoy the sunshine.
Be creative!
The truth is that stress will always be in our lives,
whether caused from money, health, family, or something as
simple as being on time. Don’t let the effects of stress
consume you. Take the “good to myself ” approach and enjoy
life as it comes at you.
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About The Author
Lynn Lazarus Serper, EdD, is president of Brain
Enhancement Services, Inc., and founder of The Serper
Method™, a nationally recognized workbook program for brain
enrichment. She can be reached by email at lynnserper@
serpermethod.com, or by telephone at (800) 240-3778.
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