Balance Tips:

Relax into Better Health and Well-being

Use these common sense tips to relieve stress and enhance every aspect of your life.

1. Quiet the mind chatter. Take three minutes giving gentle focus to a flower, tree, candle burning, or a soothing picture. Relax into the silence. Enjoy the fullness and abundance of the moment.

2. Breathe. Let your awareness follow the inhalation as deep and as long as possible, then slowly experience the breath going out. Again. And again!

3. Exercise. Move your body daily to release stress and pent up emotions. Do whatever you enjoy and are able to do: Walk, run, practice yoga, tai chi, qigong, play tennis, dance, go the gym or move to your favorite exercise show.

4. Express gratitude. Start a daily gratitude journal or share with another what you are grateful for in your life this day.

5. Acknowledge others. Tell a loved one, friend, co-worker, checkout person, or even your enemy, what you appreciate about them.

6. Take a break from the news. If something happens, someone will let you know. Instead listen to a guided meditation, take a walk, feel your feet barefoot on the grass.

7. Carry a reminder in your pocket. Tuck a smooth rock with one of your core values written on it. Reflect on it during the day or use it to help make a decision.

8. Play. Blow bubbles, take a hike, walk on the beach, dance to your favorite music, drum, enjoy your favorite artwork, get creative!

9. Call a friend. Call someone who listens well and treats you well. Or invite someone new to tea and start a new friendship.

10. Let others help. Do what you enjoy and are good at. Find someone to help you with the rest.

11. Slow down. Walk slower, eat more slowly, and attend to one thing at a time rather than multi-tasking. Feel the healthy benefits from giving your undivided attention.

12. Nourish the body. Follow a plan for healthy eating, have regular massage and other bodywork, soak in the tub, experience aromatherapy, go to the spa and enjoy something new.

13. Feast on soul food. Instead of overeating, make a CD of your favorite, feel-good music. Create an art collage of what you love, or choose something from this list.

14. Notice the whining. For the next 10 days, take note each time you complain, even about the weather. Become aware of how many thoughts aren’t beneficial.

15. Try the whining meditation. Complain nonstop for 10 minutes a day for 10 days. Go one step further, tape and listen to yourself complain.

16. Share your abundance. Take goodies to a neighbor, bring flowers for a co-worker, send a card to a friend, give to a favorite cause, or offer money to someone in need.

17. Choose a new perspective. In a situation that feels stuck? Try on a different perspective. What would an eagle’s view offer? Your best friend’s view? Your pet’s view?

18. Can’t sleep? Meditate. Keep a pad and pen handy to empty thoughts. Write in your gratitude journal. Read and reflect on a couple of pages of your favorite personal growth book.

19. Go treasure hunting. Look around. What is just waiting for you to find it – a smiling face, a new leaf, a little flower, a sunset …

20. Check-in with the present moment. What are you experiencing right now?

21. Feeling joy? When you experience love, happiness, peace, joy, or silence, be generous in the sharing of these feelings. Everyone will be uplifted by your presence.

22. Feeling separate? Notice the thoughts that are keeping you separate. Direct your attention away from the thoughts to the feelings, and …

23. Feel your feelings. Instead of thinking in order to escape a feeling or trying to analyze a feeing - relax into the feeling. Bring your awareness directly to where a strong feeling is located inside your body. Experience the feeling’s richness without getting involved in its story.

24. Look into the mirror. Look tenderly and lovingly into the eyes of your reflection.

25. Smile. Don’t take yourself too seriously! Laugh.

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